Definition

Noun: A skilled tradesperson who specializes in the installation, assembly, maintenance, and repair of piping systems that carry high-pressure steam, hot water, and other gases or fluids for heating, cooling, ventilation, and industrial process systems.

Usage

The term "steamfitter" specifically refers to a professional in the construction and mechanical service industries. Their work is distinct from general plumbers, as it focuses on larger, high-pressure systems often found in commercial, institutional, or industrial buildings.

Examples

• The hospital hired a licensed steamfitter to install the new boiler system for the surgical wing.
• Before the new school year, a steamfitter inspected and repaired all the steam radiators in the building.
• The manufacturing plant requires a steamfitter to maintain the complex network of pipes for its production machinery.

Advanced Usage

• Union Affiliation: In many regions, steamfitters are members of specific trade unions, such as the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry.
• Licensing and Certification: Becoming a steamfitter typically involves a multi-year apprenticeship program combining classroom instruction with on-the-job training, followed by a licensing exam.

Variants and Related Words

• Pipefitter (noun): A closely related trade; while the terms are often used interchangeably, a pipefitter may work on a wider variety of piping systems beyond just steam and heating, including those for chemicals, fuels, and hydraulics in industrial settings.
• Steamfitting (noun): The trade or work performed by a steamfitter.

Synonyms

• Pipefitter
• Mechanical Tradesperson
• HVAC-R Technician (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration)

Noun

1. a craftsman who installs and maintains equipment for ventilating or heating or refrigerating