Plumbers install, repair and maintain plumbing fixtures and systems, including water, steam, chemical, medical gas, process piping, irrigation and fuel piping systems. They are employed by plumbing contractors, maintenance departments of manufacturing, commercial, health care and educational facilities, and by plumbing service companies. They may also be self-employed. Plumbers install piping and equipment in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. They may also install specialized equipment such as medical gas equipment, compressed air equipment, residential fire systems, water conditioners, sewage and water treatment, and storage and flow systems for toxic waste.
Plumbers interpret blueprints, refer to layouts of existing services, and review applicable codes and specifications to determine work details and procedures. They locate and mark positions for fixtures, pipe connections and sleeves, then cut openings to accommodate pipe and fittings. Plumbers use a variety of tools and equipment, including power tools, welding and soldering/brazing equipment, and hoisting and lifting equipment to perform the tasks in their trade. They work with a variety of piping materials including copper, steel, plastic, glass, cast iron, asbestos-cement pipe and specialty pipe. Before assembling and fitting pipe sections, tubing and fittings, the pipes must be measured, cut and bent as required. Joining pipe may be done by various means, including threading, mechanical joints, welding, soldering/brazing and using fastening materials and compounds. Once the system is in place, plumbers test pipes and plumbing fixtures to detect and locate leaks.
There is an inherent risk of injury when working with sharp edges, power tools, pipe-joining equipment and chemicals. Special considerations must be taken to avoid serious injury when working with pressurized fluids, gases and steam. Other hazards include exposure to the elements, electrical shocks, burns, heavy lifting and exposure to hazardous waste. While performing their duties, plumbers are also required to do considerable standing, climbing, and kneeling. They must often work at heights and in cramped, awkward positions. Key attributes for people entering this trade are good mechanical, mathematical and spatial visualization skills. Plumbers also need good communication skills to communicate with clients and co-workers. Good analytical skills are required to interpret building plans and inspect plumbing systems.
With experience, plumbers may act as mentors and trainers to apprentices in the trade. They may move into other positions such as instructors, estimators and project managers. This analysis recognizes similarities or overlaps with the work of gas fitters, steamfitters/pipefitters and sprinkler system installers.
-
How to Become a Chartered Accountant
Education: You must have completed: 1. A university degree with specific business course credits 2. The professional program in your province or territory This level of education will provide you with the sound base of knowledge you will need to develop the skills and the values necessary to demonstrate competence.... More >
-
Apprenticeship Completion Grant
The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a $2,000 taxable cash grant designed to encourage apprentices registered in a designated Red Seal trade to complete their apprenticeship program and receive their certification. Eligibility is retroactive to January 1, 2009. The completion grant will be offered to apprentices who complete their training,... More >
-
Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, up to a maximum of $2,000 per person, available to registered apprentices once they have successfully completed their first or second year/level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in one of the Red Seal trades. Is... More >
-
Alberta Volunteer Centres
Banff Volunteer Centre 302 Buffalo Street, Box 5148 Banff AB, T1L 1G3 Telephone: 403.762.4466 Fax: 403.762.4463 info@volunteerbanff.ab.ca www.volunteerbanff.ab.ca Volunteer Calgary Suite 1170, Kahanoff Centre 1202 Centre St SE Calgary, AB T2G 5A5 Telephone: 403.265.5633 Fax: 403.265.8981 info@volunteercalgary.ab.ca www.volunteercalgary.ab.ca Volunteer Centre of Camrose and District 3, 4516 รข?? 54 Street Camrose,... More >
-
Volunteer Centres in Yukon
Yukon Volunteer Bureau P.O. Box 31107 3123 3rd Avenue Whitehorse, Y1A 5P7 tel: 867-456-4304 fax: 867-456-4302 www.volunteerbureau.yk.ca info@volunteerbureau.yk.ca More >
-
What is a Volunteer Centre?
Volunteer Centres are non-profit organizations or groups dedicated to fostering and developing volunteerism in the community as a whole. While other organizations contribute to sustaining our national heritage of volunteering through their programs and outreach, Volunteer Centres serve the broadest membership: including volunteers and organizations/volunteer-involving organizations. Volunteer Centres reach across... More >
-
Atlantic Canada Volunteer Centres
Miramichi Volunteer Services Inc. 65 Henry Street Miramichi, E1V 1N4 Tel: 506-622-6565 Fax: 506-622-2933 mvsi@nb.aibn.com Centre de benevolat de la peninsule acadienne 220, boul St Pierre Ouest, suite 100 Caraquet, E1W 1A5 Tel: 506-727-1860 Fax: 506-727-1862 centbene@nbnet.nb.ca Volunteer Centre of Southeastern New Brunswick Inc. 236 St. George Street, Suite 315... More >
-
Ironworker (Generalist)
Ironworkers (generalists) work with both structural/ornamental and reinforcing steel materials. They install structural/ornamental steel components, precast concrete members and glued laminated timber products (glulam) and place reinforcing steel in commercial, industrial, institutional and large residential buildings, towers, bridges and stadiums. They erect pre-engineered buildings and ornamental ironwork such as curtain... More >