Trades in the UA
HVAC Service Technician
Plumber
Sprinklerfitter
Steamfitter-Pipefitter
Welder

HVACR Service Technician

A service technician’s work covers the general responsibilities for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR). This would include the installation and maintenance of all sizes of heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial applications. Some job specific applications include complete gas piping installations, high voltage electrical components, testing and analyzing and start-up of systems.

Plumber

The plumber installs, repairs, maintains, and services piping and plumbing systems and equipment used for drinking (potable) water distribution, sanitary storm water systems, and waste disposal. They also work on technical installations for Medical Gas, Hydronic in-floor heating, Solar Panels, Heat Pumps, Cross-Connection Control and many other systems necessary for the health and safety of the general public. Their work is found mostly in the new home building and renovation, high rises, and commercial construction sectors including hospitals schools and other institutional buildings.

Sprinklerfitter

A Sprinklerfitter installs fire sprinkler piping systems in the commercial, residential and industrial sectors. With proficient knowledge of fire codes and responsibility for safety applications this tradesperson installs and maintains pressurized piping equipment and devices to supply fire protection and extinguishing systems with water, foam, carbon dioxide and other materials in places such as hospitals, homes and manufacturing plants – just to name a few.

Steamfitter-Pipefitter

The steamfitter-pipefitter is a tradesperson with the knowledge and ability to layout, fabricate, assemble, install, maintain, and repair piping systems that transport all types of fluids, slurries and gas in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. They are the only trade to specialize in planning, design, and installation of low- and high-pressure steam systems. Their work is diverse and in fields such as oil refineries, paper mills, nuclear power plants, manufacturing plants, and in the automotive industry. The systems that the steamfitter-pipefitter may work on are some of the highest pressure and temperature applications and require a thorough knowledge of scientific principles to complete this work safely.

Welder

A welder works in every area of the construction industry where metals and alloys are joined. They will work with plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, and HVACR techs. Work will include installation, maintenance, and repair of all types of piping systems as well as join structural steel brackets and supports for such systems. A welder has to work in many different environments and in all types of positions. Welders will study blueprints, drawing, and specifications for the job and must measure, cut and weld using various welding methods and tools.

Certifications

Once UA members complete their five-year apprenticeships, they become full-fledged journeymen. However, their education in the trade is by no means over at this point. In fact, United Association members are very serious about pursuing lifelong training and certification in specialized areas.

Certification is the wave of the future in the piping industry. With the increasingly complex and challenging work that must be done by the modern pipe mechanic, it is almost required that craftsmen seek some form of official validation of their skills. In addition to the considerable prestige and knowledge that comes with being a UA journeyman, UA members can also pursue these certifications in a variety of specialized areas.

UA Certification Programs include:
Backflow
 Medical Gas Installation
Welding
Refrigerant handling
Industrial rigging
UA/MCA foreman
 Geo Thermal
 Green Awareness
 HVACR S.T.A.R Certification

**Each of these programs rely on third party validation for an objective evaluation and testing of our members’ skills and abilities.**