Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

The Work

Heating and ventilating fitters install, maintain and repair central heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in industrial and commercial buildings. There are some similarities with plumbers' work but heating and ventilating fitters work on very large-scale equipment.  
 
Installation work is carried out in premises such as office blocks, hospitals, factories and power stations. Heating and ventilating fitters install very large boilers, tanks, refrigeration systems, pipes, and pumps and controls. When they've installed the equipment they must test it and make sure that it is working efficiently and safely.  
 
Their main job is fitting pipe work to carry hot water, other liquids or gas. Fitters use bending machines to shape the larger pipes that can be up to 50 centimetres in diameter. They use flame-cutting equipment to cut them to the correct sise. They usually work from drawings showing the planned layout of the whole system. Systems must be tested. Some fitters set up service and maintenance programmes for clients.  
 
Maintenance and repair work includes routine servicing and emergency repairs. In repair work, heating and ventilating fitters must find faults in the systems, replace or repair any damaged parts, carry out tests and make sure that the system works properly.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
• Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
• Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
• Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
• Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
• Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
• Study blueprints, design specifications, or manufacturers' recommendations to ascertain the configuration of heating or cooling equipment components and to ensure the proper installation of components.
• Install auxiliary components to heating or cooling equipment, such as expansion or discharge valves, air ducts, pipes, blowers, dampers, flues, or stokers.
• Brase or solder parts to repair defective joints and leaks.
• Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.

Further Information

• Heating and Ventilating Fitter - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

People who enter into this career will already have some experience either as a plumber or as a sheet metal fabricator. Training is all on-the-job. Some companies may offer their own apprenticeships. You may also enter as a labourer or gopher for experienced fitters and work your way up from there.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Engineering Technoogy/ operations, Manufacturing Technician, Machine Tool Operations, Welding Fabrication, Construction Skills for Employment, OEM Engineering at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Engineering Technology, Engineering - Preliminary, Engineering Technology (Pre-Apprenticeship), Renewable and Engineering Technology, Construction and Engineering Technology, Carpentry-Plumbing-Electrical, Construction Technology with Renewable Energy Systems (Pre-Apprenticeship) at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: HVAC Refrigeration & Aicron, Allied Engineering, Plumbing Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Engineering, Building Engineering, Construction - Buildings and Services Management, Electrical Services Engineering at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €70k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Indeed / Morgan McKinley/ Lincoln/ Glassdoor/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment has increased annually since 2020, employment levels in 2022 remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. New employment permits issued related to both plumbers and plumbing, heating and ventilation engineers. The DFHERIS report suggests that demand for plumbers for housing projects will peak in 2024 but, with retrofitting projects accelerating from 2026, a significant demand for plumbers is likely to persist.

New apprenticeship registration numbers in 2022, at 792, were above pre-COVID-19 levels and the number of persons achieving the craft apprenticeship award (plumber) more than doubled between 2016 and 2021, going from 113 to 238.

Shortages for plumbers are likely to continue, at least in the short-term, as supply from the education/training system is yet to meet annual recruitment requirements. In addition, those already trained as plumbers will also require re-/upskilling opportunities in order to carry out work linked to alternative renewable energy sources (e.g. the installation of heat pumps).

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here

• The National Guild of Master Craftsmen

  • 3 Greenmount Lane Harold's Cross Dublin 12
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here