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Steamfitting / Pipefitting

The Georgetown Centre is the Welding Fabrication, Plumbing, Pipe-Trades and Commercial Diving training facility of Holland College. The Centre houses state of-the-art equipment and leading industry technology. Full-time and customized training programs for individuals preparing for a career or who are currently involved in the welding, plumbing, steamfitting/pipefitting and/or commercial diving fields are delivered at this Centre.

The Welding and Fabrication shop features an air-in, air-out ventilation and fume extraction system ensuring a practically fume-free environment. The shop is equipped with up-to-date metal forming and welding equipment and features a five-ton rail-mounted indoor crane. Fabrication trainees are provided with a facility to design and construct a wide variety of small and large projects.

The Pipe and Plumbing shop is equipped with current pipe preparation and fabrication equipment as well as individualized bench workstations, a fabrication area and a two-story building mock-up. This bright workshop features fuel-gas connections, welding units, pipe end preparation booths and a pipe bending station. Also available is a steam boiler lab area, a hydronic heating lab area and a pump installation station. Preparation and fabrication of virtually all types of pipe and tubing are within the capabilities of the Georgetown Centre Pipe Fabrication shop.

The Commercial Diving facility features a large aboveground tank with a 21 foot depth and ground level observation window. Also included in this facility are a full-service metallurgy lab with tensile and impact testers, welding stations outfitted with new SMAW and Flux Core equipment and a jib and monorail hoist.

Complementing the Welding, Fabrication, Plumbing and Pipe Fabrication and Underwater Welding facilities are:

• a spacious Study/Resource Centre
• a computer lab containing Pentium computers equipped with 17" monitors, Smartboard technology with multi-media capabilities, Internet, e-mail accounts and loaded with Word Processing, Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD) and SigmaNEST software
• a metallurgy lab
• a Canadian Welding Bureau Test Centre
• instructional staff with industry experience and who are certified in their area of expertise
• trained support staff who provide assistance in related areas of study including communications, mathematics, physical science and computer literacy curriculum that has been developed to national standards and validated by industry

The Steamfitting/Pipefitting program is developed from nationally identified skills for piping occupations. The objective of the program is to provide training for individuals preparing for a career or who are currently involved in this field. The program also allows for specialization in installing process pipe and tubing; natural and liquified gas, plumbing, heating and instrumentation and fire sprinkler and standpipe systems.

Workplace health and safety and personal development are encouraged throughout the program. On-the-job training is an integral part of the program.

Steamfitters and Pipefitters install, alter, maintain and repair piping systems that convey low and high pressure steam, hot water, air, fuels gasses, fuel and finely divided solids. Steamfitters and Pipefitters are employed in thermal and hydro power plants, mines, chemical and industrial plants, petroleum refineries, pulp and paper mills, dairies, schools, apartment and office buildings, hospitals, shopping malls, laundries, ships, shipyards and oil drilling platforms.

Areas of Competency

Use Safe Work Practices
Study and practice acceptable work habits including attitude, safe conduct, housekeeping, and personal protective equipment.

Develop Personal Competencies
Develop skills to install pipe, fitting valves and related equipment to industry standards.

Perform Job Planning Procedures
Perform a job by obtaining drawings, list material and perform proper installation procedures.

Use Tools and Equipment
Develop safe practices in the use and care of tools and equipment used in the industry; select, operate and maintain hand and power tools in the manner they were intended to be used.

Install and Test Piping Systems and Components
Install and test copper, plastic and steel piping systems; perform tests using air and water to industry standards.

Use Pipe Joining Methods
Assemble copper, plastic, glass and steel using a variety of joining methods including, but not limited to, soldering, butt weld, socket weld, screwed, flaring and compression methods.

Install Specialized Piping Systems
Learn the proper installation of heating systems which include air, med gas, propane, glass and corrosion resistant pipe.

Install Specialties, Trim and Equipment
Install steam piping with valves strainers, traps and feed water to make a complete system.

Perform Service and Maintenance
Troubleshoot and repair heating systems, perform equipment on steam traps and valves, replace gaskets and flush systems.

Graduate Opportunities

Graduates of this program may find entry-level employment in the following areas:

• Mechanical contracting companies
• Heating contractors
• Fireline and sprinkler system installers
• Shipbuilding industry
• Irrigation systems
• Natural gas utility companies
• Propane gas companies
• Transmission pipeline installers
• Oil drilling platforms
• Mills and processing plants
• Hardware sales

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level with minimum grade 11 mathematics and English
• Preference will be given to applicants with grade 11 or 12 physics
• Consideration will be given to applicants with employment experience in related construction or service occupations
• Resume including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program to which you are applying

If you have any questions concerning the Steamfitting/Pipefitting program, contact Phyllis MacPhee - pmacphee@hollandc.pe.ca