How to Become a Gas Fitter
The average gas fitter has to do more during the average day than simply align gas pipes underground. Gas fitters need to understand the entire gas usage process from production through metering and distribution in residential areas. You need to become well-educated on the technical and business aspects of gas usage to last long in the gas fitting profession.
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Things You'll Need
- Apprenticeship
- Vocational school degree or certification
- Notebook
- Gas fitting certification
Instructions
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Pursue vocational education in pipe fitting through a technical college after high school graduation. This vocational course should take 2 semesters and helps you become familiar with welding, proper pipe materials and safety precautions.
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2
Prepare for a long apprenticeship process with a veteran gas fitter to begin your career. As an apprentice, you spend several years shadowing the gas fitter and learning the daily tasks you need to complete to become successful.
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Obtain a gas fitting certification through your state's licensing body before you finish your apprenticeship. This certification requires an examination that demonstrates you have learned the safety and technical aspects of the job from your mentor.
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Study chemistry during your apprenticeship to better understand the properties of the materials you work with. It is important you understand the effects of gas, as well as its ability to spread quickly, before you begin installing gas pipes. You should audit individual chemistry classes at your local university to avoid high tuition costs.
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Consult with planners and architects on each gas fitting project to go over special notes. Some gas fitting projects require the lines to lay at certain depths or utilize stronger pipe materials to ensure service around-the-clock.
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Archive notes you have taken during gas fitting projects for further review after work. You should keep a notebook with you on every project to track any unusual fitting requests, repairs or incidents that you encounter. These notes help you respond to similar situations more effectively in the future.
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Establish a relationship with contractors and home builders on each project to keep everyone safe. Your job as a gas fitter is to provide guide lines with spray paint or colored lines to keep machinery away from shallow gas pipes.
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Tips & Warnings
Locate training programs through gas utility companies that allow you to rise to management positions. Gas fitters with several years of experience and an exemplary record are often recruited for supervisory positions within the company. These training programs are designed around your current schedule with video and online assignments.
