Many people struggle to find a suitable career path that will provide excellent income and job satisfaction. Ideally, you want to go into an industry that’s in demand and you may not know mechanical plumbing is one of these options. At the time of writing, according to Seek, there are over 500 mechanical plumbing jobs available in Australia.
If you’d like to go into this industry, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of how to get into the mechanical plumbing business. In today’s article, we’ll be talking about what this type of plumbing is and how you can become a certified mechanical plumber in the industry. Keep reading to find out more.
Mechanical Plumbing vs. Plumbing
Some people don’t know that mechanical and standard plumbing are two different jobs in terms of duties. There are some similarities but there are major differences that set these two types of jobs apart.
What is Mechanical Plumbing?
Mechanical plumbing focuses on designing and maintaining mechanical parts of a building such as:
- Heating
- Ventilation
- Elevators
- Escalators
- Medical equipment
A mechanical plumber is a professional that studies and plans blueprints and the specifications of a plumbing system. The professional designs sanitary fixtures, heating systems and discharge pipes. Furthermore, mechanical plumbers maintain, modify, repair and test the following systems:
- Hydronic heating systems
- Solid fuel heaters
- Cold and hot water systems
- Split system air conditioners
- Mechanical extraction systems
Additionally, a mechanical plumber installs fire hydrants and he or she is responsible for roof flushing.
On the other hand, standard plumbing requires repairs on toilets, burst water pipes or broken sinks. They don’t design piping because they haven’t studied the mechanics or engineering part of plumbing. They only install and maintain plumbing systems.
Commercial or Residential Mechanical Plumbing
Before you start going through the process of studying for a degree in mechanical plumbing, you must decide if you want to do commercial or residential plumbing.
Commercial engineered plumbing requires more work and extensive designs because the daily use of plumbing systems is greater in a commercial setting. Commercial buildings are larger so they require more plumbing compared to residential areas.
However, if you want to do residential mechanical plumbing the jobs will be less demanding or complicated.
Qualifications You’ll Need to Become a Mechanical Plumber
A trustworthy mechanical plumber will have the correct certification and license to work in the industry. Without a proper qualification, you may not be able to find work in the mechanical plumbing industry.
Additionally, you must understand the plumbing regulations in Australia and you must meet safety and competence standards. This ensures that you don’t put yourself or your co-workers at risk when you’re working. Remember, mechanical plumbing is a high-risk job.
First, you want to sign up for a course at a trade school. Sometimes these education departments offer apprenticeships. During your apprenticeship, you develop the necessary skills to become a mechanical plumber. You’ll also learn how to use tools safely and about the various technologies that are used in the industry.
To kick start your apprenticeship you must complete a course to earn a certificate III or certificate IV. Completing your course will give you the basic knowledge of plumbing so you can use it in a practical setting. When you’re an apprentice, you’ll be trained by industry professionals so you’ll be set for a successful career in mechanical plumbing.
How to Be the Best in the Industry
Earning your qualifications and doing your apprenticeship may seem like it’s enough. But to be the best in your industry, the job requires hard work and dedication. Plumbers are always on demand especially in the commercial industry so you must be willing to offer 24/7 assistance.
You must also be able to work quickly and efficiently so that companies can continue operating without disruptions. There may be companies looking for mechanical plumbing services that offer a wide range of skills such as sewerage and storm water repairs or backflow testing.
What’s more, you must be able to communicate effectively with your clients so there is no misunderstanding about what needs to be done. You must be able to provide advice on the best possible solutions for home or business owners.
Make sure that installations, maintenance and testing on any plumbing system meet Australian standards. This is to prevent damage to properties, harm to the environment and possible injuries to residents or employees.
Final Thoughts
Some people think that becoming a mechanical plumber is difficult, but the process is easy. Once you have your qualifications you can start working in the field and earn decent money. On average you can expect to earn between $19 and $40 an hour.
As mentioned before, mechanical plumbers are in high demand in Australia. If you want to go into a career that offers job security, consider earning your qualifications and working for mechanical plumbing services.
Are you ready to become a reliable and trustworthy mechanical plumber? There are business owners and homeowners waiting for someone like you to assist them with their plumbing.
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