Examples

• Level 1 read brochures from suppliers to obtain information on materials.
• Level 1 read work orders to plan daily activities.
• Level 2 read health and safety notices posted on bulletin boards to comply with related policies and procedures.
• Level 2 read newsletters prepared by the company or the union to stay current on trade and employment issues.
• Level 2 read the minutes of safety meetings to promote safe work practices.
• Level 2 read installation procedures when working with new or unfamiliar products, such as European faucets, to comply with the manufacturers' guidelines.
• Level 2 read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to obtain information about hazardous products and their properties.
• Level 3 read labour standards to apply regulatory information on working in confined spaces to specific situations on the job.
• Level 3 read manuals to install, repair and maintain plumbing fixtures and systems.
• Level 3 read trade text books to understand the science related to plumbing such as the properties of water, metals and alloys.
• Level 3 read the Canadian Plumbing Code to comply with the requirements for the design, construction, extension, alteration, renewal or repair of plumbing systems. Locating the required information may involve cross-referencing information from various sections.
• Level 3 may read project specifications at the outset of a job to plan work and to identify potential problems and risks.

Examples

• Level 1 read point-form notes that they have made in daily log books to track work in progress.
• Level 2 read assembly drawings to install fixtures and appliances.
• Level 2 use conversion tables provided in trade-related training materials to convert Metric measures to Imperial measures.
• Level 2 use tables on pipe thread information to locate information such as nominal pipe size, overall length of pipe thread, number of threads per inch and drill size to tap.
• Level 2 interpret diagrams in the Canadian Plumbing Code to ensure that the capacity of building venting systems complies with regulatory requirements.
• Level 3 interpret schematics to trace the circuit along which gas can flow when planning for the installation of piping. This involves interpreting symbols for pipe fitting and valves.
• Level 4 interpret working drawings to locate municipal connections or water sources and to plan the routing of pipe when installing water services.
• Level 4 interpret blueprints to check locations of piping and catch basins for drainage systems.
• Level 4 may cross-reference several pages on a blueprint to establish how plumbing and carpentry tasks relate in order to coordinate with other trades when installing, for example, hydronic heating/cooling systems.

Examples

• Level 1 write short notes to inform supervisors about repairs in progress and tasks to be completed.
• Level 1 write lists of materials required for a particular job.
• Level 1 complete order forms to purchase materials and supplies, request information or explain why a product is being returned.
• Level 1 maintain a daily log book using point-form notations to record information such as hours worked, tasks completed, problems encountered, observations and concerns.
• Level 1 may prepare invoices for clients with brief descriptions of work and materials used.
• Level 2 may complete incident reports to record the details of an occurrence that resulted in injury. This involves writing a few paragraphs using a pre-set format and guidance is available from the foreperson upon request.

Examples

• Level 1 may collect payment and give change.
• Level 1 may total receipts for petty cash.
• Level 1 schedule their daily activities to complete assigned tasks.
• Level 1 measure to locate and mark positions for pipe connections when preparing rough-in to accept fixtures.
• Level 1 compare pressure gauge readings and manufacturers' standards to install underground gas piping systems.
• Level 1 estimate the material requirements for a job, such as length of pipe and number of fixtures, to ensure that sufficient materials are on hand to complete tasks.
• Level 2 may approve payment for invoices submitted by suppliers, verifying the accuracy of the charges for parts ordered and received.
• Level 2 adjust schedule to co-ordinate work with other trades when the overall timetable for construction changes or when unforeseen problems slow things down. This may be done in consultation with the foreperson.
• Level 2 determine materials and supplies needed to complete a project.
• Level 2 convert imperial and metric measures involving weight (e.g., kilograms to pounds) and linear measures (e.g., inches to millimetres).
• Level 2 calculate the total fall on a drain line by using a formula (i.e., total fall = grade x length) to install potable water distribution piping systems.
• Level 2 calculate averages from sets of readings to determine humidity, temperature and water pressure within levels recommended by manufacturer.
• Level 2 estimate the length of time that it will take to complete a job considering such factors as the need to coordinate with other trades and availability of materials.
• Level 3 may prepare quotations and invoices based on costs for labour at an hourly rate, cost of parts and applicable taxes. These invoices are presented to customers when an installation or repair has been completed.
• Level 3 may compare the costs of equipment and materials available from different vendors to make cost-effective purchasing decisions.
• Level 3 determine the total hydraulic load on a sanitary drainage system using a conversion factor given in the Canadian Plumbing Code (i.e., 26.4 fixture units per litre per second). The discharge from a continuous flow fixture in litres per second when multiplied by 26.4 gives the hydraulic load in fixture units, and that load is added to the fixture unit load from other fixtures to give the total load that the sanitary drainage pipe must carry.
• Level 4 calculate rolling offset to design, fabricate and install pipe around an obstacle in its path such as a circular vessel. This involves multiple steps of calculation using trigonometric constants based on angle of elbows.

Examples

• Level 1 talk to suppliers about the availability of parts.
• Level 1 communicate with carpenters or other tradespersons to co-ordinate the time scheduling for the plumbing work at a construction or renovation site and to discuss any problems that have arisen (e.g., premature closing of a wall barring access to pipes).
• Level 1 interact with forepersons to receive job assignments and to consult as necessary.
• Level 2 mentor apprentices to assist them in building skill and trade knowledge on the job.
• Level 2 interact with suppliers by telephone and in person to gather information needed to troubleshoot system problems.
• Level 2 interact with agitated customers who are concerned about water damage to identify problems (e.g., pipe is leaking) and to obtain information on events leading up to the problem.
• Level 2 negotiate with other tradespeople on a job site regarding time schedules, system failures, alterations needed to installations.

Examples

• Level 1 encounter time-management problems when completion of tasks for repairs extend beyond time estimates for completion. They may consult with their supervisor or customer to reschedule work.
• Level 2 may find that a toilet can not be repaired without removing the surrounding tile. They look to see if there is another way of accessing the area, such as coming through a closet or coming through a wall.
• Level 2 may have to diagnose and solve problems such as inefficient water flow caused by do-it-yourself homeowners who have performed the work without understanding basic plumbing principles. They redo the work to industry standards.
• Level 3 are assigned to resolve a backflow problem that has caused a sewer to back up. Identifying the root cause of the problem is difficult because pipes are concealed in walls and floors and a variety of pumps are used. This may involve extensive analysis before the problem can be resolved.

Examples

• Level 1 decide on priorities for service calls, repair work and scheduled work based on information they are given.
• Level 2 decide on the most cost-effective way to use materials and supplies when installing plumbing and heating systems.
• Level 3 make decisions on how to install a large and heavy pumping system with the available personnel and equipment in confined spaces or less than ideal conditions.
• Level 3 decide whether to refuse a job that they consider potentially dangerous.

Examples

• remember priorities and directives for the day to maximize efficiency.
• remember locations of pipes, pumps and heating systems to save time by not having to review related documents.
• memorize parameters, such as tolerances, and emergency evacuation procedures to maximize efficiency.
• remember item numbers for frequently ordered products, such as taps and sinks, to expedite the ordering process.

Examples

• Level 1 contact mechanical engineers, suppliers and manufacturers to clarify installation procedures or system specifications to ensure that the Canadian Plumbing Code is met.
• Level 1 locate information on plumbing products and fixtures in catalogues issued by suppliers.
• Level 2 refer to schematics to locate the shut-off valve for natural gas when performing maintenance.
• Level 2 refer to trade, provincial and national code books to ensure installations and repairs are compliant with industry standards for plumbing and heating systems.
• Level 2 may locate specific clauses in construction contracts, or service agreements in the case of owner/operators of plumbing and heating businesses, and interpret their application to specific situations.

Examples

• Level 2 may use word processing software For example, they prepare letters to customers.
• Level 2 may use computer-assisted design, manufacturing and machining equipment. For example, they use CAD to review construction drawings.

Physical Aspects

Attitudes

The plumbers interviewed stressed the importance of being physically fit, since much of their work involves climbing, crawling and lifting. Plumbers should not be afraid of heights or enclosed spaces. They should be alert at all times and aware of their surroundings for safety. Much of the work done by plumbers requires the ability to work alone as well as with a helper or apprentice and others trades. Important characteristics for individuals working in the industry are a strong work ethic, an open mind and an ability to co-operate with others.

Future Trends Affecting Essential Skills

Future skills shortages are expected because fewer young people are entering the plumbing trade. With changes and improvements to plumbing and heating systems, plumbers are increasingly required to stay current and in some cases specialize. Increasingly, computer assisted design (CAD) software is being utilized for system design, layout and project management. Technological advances are having an impact on the design of water supply, drainage, waste and venting gas fitting and hot liquid heating. This is triggering changes to the applications and materials used by plumbers.