Sprinkler fitters install, fabricate, test, maintain, inspect and repair sprinkler systems on commercial and industrial sites. They deal with valves, pumps, boilers, fire pump systems, chemical and foam extinguishing systems, stand pipe and hose systems, carbon dioxide and wet and dry pipe sprinkler systems. They also install and design overhead sprinkler and hose systems, fire mains, underground systems and closed valves. They also braze, solder and perform welding duties on metal.

 

They may have to alter structures to accommodate the pipes by roughing in after the frame and roof of a new building are in place. They study the building plans to determine the layout for plumbing and related materials, locate and mark positions for connections and fixtures, cut holes through walls and floors, select the type and size of pipe required and measure, cut, thread, bend, clamp, solvent cement or solder pipe assembly and install valves and fittings securely in position and testing the pipe systems for any leaks or malfunctions.

 

Industry Changes

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While a sprinkler fitter is one of several occupations associated within industry, pipe layers, pipe fitters and steamfitters and plumbers represent a large portion of the job market. Over the next ten years, the employment outlook is considered to be excellent. The lack of trained and qualified servicemen and the expected increased retirement rate in these trades over the next decade highlight the opportunities within the industry for potential jobs.

 

The government has recently set targets for greater energy efficiency to combat climate change. With further training, you may be able to install and maintain renewable energy technologies like solar powered heating systems.

A surge in water consumption legislation in the previous decade has prompted manufacturers to create more efficient and environmentally friendly products from low-flow and waterless to dual-flush and macerating fixtures.

 

Consumers are increasingly educated regarding construction products and materials, resulting in a demand for more sophisticated and multi-functional products. Sustainable and eco-friendly design is a major focus of the building and construction industry.

 

In the next decade smart home and bath products will be in demand, such as the 'Intelligent Toilet' system made in Japan which can measure sugar levels in urine, blood pressure, body fat and weight. In the ideal environmentally-correct home of tomorrow, toilets will flush water recycled from the washing-machine or dish-washer.

 

Safety

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Safe working practices and accident prevention are the primary importance to the health and safety of all person(s) at any or all work place environments. All person(s) including employee, employer and government, share this responsibility in order to keep everyone free of any dangers or accidents that may cause an individual(s) serious bodily harm or death.

The Occupational Health and Safety Acts and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations, should be consistently reviewed and enforced in every work place environment. Educating and understanding these regulations is everyone’s responsibility in order to keep a safe work place environment.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) has contributed to a safer work place environment. Health and safety has become a high priority in the workplace due to increased awareness of dangers and the identifications of hazardous materials.

Practicing health and safety is a tremendous contribution to a safe and accident free work place environment.

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Job Tasks

• Able to turn off heating systems

• Assembles and secures pipes, tubes and fittings

• Attach pipes to fixtures

• Boilers (e.g., heating, hot water, power, steam)

• Clean and modify current sprinkler systems

• Compressors

• Condensing units and air-conditioning

• Cut and bore holes

• Fixtures, plumbing

• Heat pumps

• Hot water heaters, oil and gas

• Installs fire pumps, jockey pumps and dry valves for fire protection

• Lawn sprinkler systems

• Layout drawings

• Measures and marks pips for cutting

• Oil and gas heating equipment

• Plumbers' brass goods, fittings and valves

• Plumbing supplies

• Pumps

• Radiators

• Refrigerators, gas and domestic

• Sauna equipment

• Selecting Pipe sizes

• Selecting Material

• Septic tank installation

• Soldering

• Sprinkler systems

• Steam fittings

• Threading

• Valves and fittings

• Water heaters and electric

• Water meters

• Welding

Tools

• Adjustable wrench

• Allen keys

• Ball peen hammer

• Caulking gun

• Cordless drill

• Crow bar

• Electrical multi-meter

• Fitting brush

• Flash light

• Flux

• Hack saw

• Hammer

• Internal pipe cutter

• Internal pipe wrench

• Lead free solder

• Mini pipe cutters

• Needle nose pliers

• Off set pipe wrench

• Pipe dope

• Pipe extractors

• Pipe reamer

• Pipe wrench

• Plastic tube cutter

• Plumbers putty

• Plunger

• Reciprocating saw

• Ring crimper

• Screw driver set

• Sparking igniters

• Steel pipe cutter

• Step ladder

• Strap wrench

• Tape measure

• Teflon tape

• Tin snips

• Threading taps

• Torch head and propane tank

• Torpedo level

• Vice grips

• Wire strippers

• 50/50 solder

• …and much more

 

Skills

• Critical Thinking

• Decision Making

• Numerical

• Oral Communication

• Problem Solving

• Reading Blueprints and schematics

• Writing

• Computer Knowledge

 

General Wages

• Average -   $28.80

• Minimum -  $21.50

• Maximum - $40.00+

 

Sample Q&A

 

1. Air handling systems when serving more than one suite in a storey shall be designed to prevent the circulation of smoke?

a. sprinkler system is installed in building

b. fire alarm system is required for building

c. sprinkler system is required for building

d. fire alarm system is installed in building

Ans. D

 

2. Which of the following types of antifreeze solution is recommended for hydronic heating because of its good heat conductivity and non-toxic properties?

a. brine

b. methyl hydrate

c. propylene glycol

d. ethylene glycol

Ans. C

 

3. Which of the following is the total head of a fire pump?

a. energy imparted to the liquid as it passes through the orifice
b. psi rating as the liquid passes through the pipe
c. energy imparted to the liquid as it passes through the pump
d. static pressure of water at the intake of the pump

Ans. C

 

4. Which of the following is an important principal to consider when using pressure tanks in automatic sprinkler protection?

a. lack of training of fire department personnel
b. dependence upon outside power sources to maintain pressure
c. small volume of water stored
d. inadequate pipe sizing

Ans. C

 

5. Before breaking open the pipe joints for repair, what should be done with the isolation valves on a high pressure steam system?

a. Remove the valve handles so the valves can't be operated.

b. Open the valves fully to equalize the pressure with the system.

c. Check that the valves are closed, tagged and locked out.

d. Determine the pressure in the mains ahead of the isolation valves.

Ans. C