Plumber
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking) water, sewage, drainage, venting, heating and air-conditioning, or industrial process plant piping. [1] In most jurisdictions the piping for HVAC, fire protection, and industrial systems are installed by 'steam-fitters', 'pipe-fitters', or 'gas-fitters' tradespeople. Many in these trades are members of organized labor groups, while many are nonunion. Years of training and experience are needed to become a skilled plumber; most jurisdictions also require that plumbers be licensed. A Master Plumber is one who has demonstrated mastery of the trade of plumbing, has worked in the field for many years, is certified in different areas of plumbing, typically trains new plumbers in the trade, and oversees large plumbing projects.
Plumbing codes are strict, and need for quality plumbing work is high because of the historical health and safety problems associated with poor water supply and sewage removal.[2]
Plumbers install and repair pipes, fittings, fixtures, and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution, waste water disposal, and venting in residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings. Plumbing is a traditional field that typically pays well, has good job security, and currently has need of qualified individuals in many locations worldwide. Many plumbers begin their careers in plumbing as helpers to established plumbers, while other enter formal training institutes.
The word plumber dates from the Roman Empire. In Roman times, pipes were made of lead, or plumbum in latin (hence the periodic table of the elements symbol of Pb for lead). Thus, a person with expertise in working with pipes was known as a Plumbumber, which was eventually shortened to plumber.
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[edit] Some needed skills, interests, and values
- Reading blueprints, drawings, and specifications to determine layout of water supply, waste, and venting systems
- Installing, repairing and maintaining domestic, commercial, and industrial plumbing fixtures and systems
- Locating and marking positions for pipe connections, passage holes, and fixtures in walls and floors
- Measuring, cutting, bending, and threading pipes using hand and power tools or machines
- Testing pipes for leaks using air and water pressure gauges
- Communicating with co-workers, other tradespeople and subcontractors, and management
- Planning and performing complex calculations for specialized projects
- Providing time and cost estimates of the work to be performed (both labor and materials)
- Awareness of legal regulations and safety issues
- Being comfortable when working in confined spaces or at great heights
- Ensuring safety standards and build regulations are met.
[edit] Plumbers in popular culture
- Ed Norton, a sewer worker, from The Honeymooners
- The father in Weird Science
- Nintendo's most famous characters, Mario and Luigi of Super Mario Bros. fame, are both plumbers
- Famous rocker Ozzy Osbourne was a plumber apprentice
- James Denton's character on Desperate Housewives, Mike Delfino, poses as the friendly neighbourhood plumber
[edit] See also
- Pipefitter
- Plumbing
- Piping
- HVAC
- Fire sprinklers
- White House Plumbers -- Watergate era
- Worshipful Company of Plumbers -- UK
[edit] References
- ^ The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering
- ^ Plumbing: the Arteries of Civilization, Modern Marvels video series, The History Channel, AAE-42223, A&E Television, 1996
