Gas Fitters

Description

"It's a gas!" Where did that expression come from anyway? What's "gas" got to do with fun? Okay, you know what, let's not go there!

Maybe the saying originates with gas fitters. Gas fitters draw on two distinct abilities. They're required to do very technical work to install, repair, maintain and inspect natural gas pipes and equipment. The other aspect of their job involves meeting customers in person. Gas fitters are the ambassadors of their industry. Sounds like a natural gas!

Yes, it's a drag to be awakened at 2:00 a.m. to investigate a reported gas leak. At the same time, the many different challenges, from direct dealings with customers to setting up complicated systems, are what make this job a "gas." These challenges include reading and understanding blueprints, diagrams and technical specifications, and troubleshooting problems on-the-spot.

Gas fitters spend much of their time installing natural gas lines in homes, businesses or industrial sites. Natural gas may be used for heating or air-conditioning systems or household appliances, such as furnaces, barbeques or stoves. Gas fitters must also install the necessary equipment such as meters, regulators, valves and burners to control and monitor the system.

Specific duties

Gas fitters perform some or all of the following duties:

• Study blueprints, drawings and technical specs to determine the layout, installation procedures and materials required for a job. They measure, mark and position reference points for installation of gas lines and equipment; and open walls, or oversee digging, to prepare the particular site.
  
• Install gas lines — pipes, meters, flues, vents, regulators and other equipment — between the gas source unit and gas meter.
  
• Maintain and repair gas lines, heating units and parts, and gas appliances and related equipment.
  
• Test and adjust controls, check pipes and connections, using gas detecting devices, and respond to reports of leaks. Gas fitters may be asked to assist in the investigation of gas fires and explosions.
  
• Advise clients regarding safety, maintenance and standards of gas units and systems; and prepare work logs and inspection reports.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Contractors & Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades
• Plumbers
• Steamfitters, Pipefitters & Sprinkler Installers
• Waterworks & Gas Maintenance Workers

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3C English, Grade 11, College Preparation	ENG4C English, Grade 12, College Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MBF3C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation	MAP4C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation or MCT4C Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	SCH4C Chemistry, Grade 12, College Preparation or SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or SPH4C Physics, Grade 12, College Preparation
Optional
TTI1O Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open	TCJ2O Construction Technology, Grade 10, Open or TDJ2O Technological Design, Grade 10, Open or TGJ2O Communications Technology, Grade 10, Open or TMJ2O Manufacturing Technology, Grade 10, Open or TTJ2O Transportation Technology, Grade 10, Open	TCJ3C Construction Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TDJ3M Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TGJ3M Communications Technology, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TMJ3C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TTJ3C Transportation Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation	TCJ4C Construction Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TDJ4M Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TGJ4M Communications Technology, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TMJ4C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TTJ4C Transportation Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation

* some workplace occupations may require students to take some college-level courses

* students should consult their counsellor for appropriate Technology options in Grades 11 and 12

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

Post-secondary options

• You almost always need a high school diploma to be hired as a gas fitter.
  
  
• Mechanical ability is important, therefore, try to get some related experience as a labourer. However, even a part-time job answering phones at a gas or heating company is valuable. Many people transfer skills from plumbing or other trades to become gas fitters.
  
  
• Gas fitters must be certified or licensed in every province and territory. To qualify, you must complete a three- to four-year approved apprenticeship program. They are available through trade organizations, technical institutes and community colleges.
  
  
• Gas fitters usually require safety training and may have to attend safety courses. They must also keep up with rapid technological change in the work environment.

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
College
Algonquin College	Continuing Education - Gas Technician 1 Continuing Education - Gas Technician 2 Continuing Education - Gas Technician 3
Confederation College	Oil Burner Technician & Gas Technician - Level 2 - Continuing Education Oil Burner Technician & Gas Technician - Level 3 - Continuing Education
Durham College	Gas Technician 2
Durham College - Skills Training Centre (Whitby)	Gas Technician 2 Gas Technician 2
George Brown College	Gas Technician Certificate
Mohawk College	Gas and Oil Burner Technician II

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Career advancement for a gas fitter isn't restricted to becoming a senior worker and earning higher pay. Experienced gas fitters can become supervisors or instructors. They may consult on projects and participate in more complex problem resolution.

With their combination of customer service and technical know-how, experienced gas fitters are well prepared to become independent contractors, offering their own individual services or employing a team of gas service technicians.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

gas utility companies
gas servicing companies

Work environment

Gas fitters work for public utilities; mechanical, air-conditioning, plumbing and heating contractors; building maintenance companies and gas companies. They work both indoors and outdoors, in variable weather conditions.

Gas fitters usually work 40 hours, Monday to Friday. Depending on the kind of company (for example, a public utility), you may work on call. Overtime is sometimes required to complete projects.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Gas customer servicer
Gas fitter
Gas fitter apprentice
Gas servicer

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Apprenticeship: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
  Information about apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario including training info, contacts, etc.