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Description
Plumbers lay out, test and maintain pipes, fixtures, metal roofing, fittings,
gas meters and regulators. They install equipment such as boilers, pumps, heating
and cooling systems, natural gas appliances, water tanks, water heaters and
solar water heating systems.
Plumbers may perform the following tasks:
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prepare and/or study drawings and specifications to work out the layout
of plumbing systems and materials needed;
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find and mark position for connections, then cut holes through walls and
floors to accommodate pipes, measure pipes and mark cutting or bending lines;
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cut, thread and bend pipes, assemble and install piping, valves and fittings,
join pipe sections and secure pipes;
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test lines as required by local plumbing regulations;
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install plumbing fixtures such as toilets, wash basins and industrial processing
units; and
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maintain and repair plumbing systems.
The term 'plumber' is often used in a general sense to cover a wide range of
work including water supply and sanitary systems, drainage, gasfitting, LP gas,
roof plumbing, sprinkler systems, irrigation systems and associated work in
heating and ventilation systems. Some categories of work such as gasfitting
and LP gas are specialist areas and a plumber must be specifically licensed
to operate in these fields. In other cases a plumber may be licensed to perform
a limited range of services.
Subject to licensing restrictions plumbers may perform all of the tasks listed
above, or specialise in one such area such as:
Drainers - Install, maintain and repair pipes
in storm water or sewerage systems and drains, and install septic tanks, holding
wells, sullage pits and absorption tracks.
Gasfitters - Install, maintain, test and repair
gas lines, meters, regulators, units and appliances.
Heating and Ventilation Plumbers - Install
and service heating and cooling systems.
Roofing Plumbers - Install and fix metal roofs,
flashings, gutters and downpipes.
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Sprinkler Fitters - Install and maintain fire
protection systems.
Irrigation Installers -
Plan, design and install large watering systems for such environments as golf
courses and parks.
Personal Requirements
Education and Training
Entry to the plumbing trades is through completion of a 4 year contract of training,
followed by application to the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs for registration
to work in the Plumbing Industry. Stage 1 SACE with a knowledge of
Mathematics, Science and English is preferred.
Courses leading to a Certificate in Vocational Education are useful pre-requisites
for employment as a trade trainee and for trade training.
Modules for specialised areas in plumbing, leading to Certificates of Proficiency,
are available at the Regency Institute of TAFE.
Certificate Courses
Regency Tafe offers a number of Certificate and Diploma level courses:
Certificate
in Vocational Education (Prevocational) Plumbing
Certificate
III in Plumbing (Apprenticeships Studies)
Certificate IV in Plumbing (Advanced Trade Studies)
Diploma
in Plumbing Services – Design & Consultancy Studies
Additional Information
It is essential to be registered as a worker and/or licensed as a contractor
with the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs to perform sanitary plumbing,
draining or hot and cold water plumbing or gas fitting within South Australia.
Employment Opportunities
Plumbers are mainly engaged in construction and maintenance work, in private
homes, commercial buildings, factories, hospitals, chemical plants, schools
and theaters. Many plumbers are self-employed.
Job opportunities depend on:
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the level of construction activity, including new houses and commercial
buildings;
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the level of repair and maintenance work required and performed;
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the size of the population;
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availability of finance for real estate purposes;
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consumer confidence and expected future income;
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the level of employment in service industries; and
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technological advances in the industry.
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