Pipefitter

A pipefitter or steamfitter[1] is a tradesman who installs, assembles, fabricates, maintains, and repairs mechanical piping systems.

A plumber concentrates on lower pressure piping systems for sewage and potable tap water in the industrial, commercial, institutional, or residential atmosphere.

[2] In Canada, pipefitting is classified as a compulsory trade, and carries a voluntary "red seal" inter-provincial standards endorsement.

Pipefitters are employed in the maintenance departments of power stations, refineries, offshore installations, factories, and similar establishments, by pipefitting contractors.

These workers create the system of tubes in boilers and make holes in walls and bulkheads to accommodate the passage of the pipes they install.Pipe fitters are often exposed to hazardous or dangerous materials, such as asbestos, lead, ammonia, steam, flammable gases, various resins and solvents including benzene and various refrigerants.

Many aspects of hazardous materials are now regulated by law in most countries, including asbestos usage and removal and refrigerant selection and handling.