Insulation Workers, Mechanical

About the job

Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.

What you'll do

• Apply, remove, and repair insulation on industrial equipment, pipes, ductwork, or other mechanical systems such as heat exchangers, tanks, and vessels, to help control noise and maintain temperatures.
• Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement or asphalt mastic.
• Distribute insulating materials evenly into small spaces within floors, ceilings, or walls, using blowers and hose attachments or cement mortar.
• Fill blower hoppers with insulating materials.
• Install sheet metal around insulated pipes with screws in order to protect the insulation from weather conditions or physical damage.
• Move controls, buttons, or levers to start blowers, and to regulate flow of materials through nozzles.
• Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.
• Read blueprints and specifications to determine job requirements.
• Remove or seal off old asbestos insulation, following safety procedures.
• Select appropriate insulation such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.

Things you need to know

• Mathematics – Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Building and Construction – Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Customer and Personal Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Abilities you'll need to have

• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Coordination – Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Time Management – Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.