1. DACUM Research Chart for Steamfitter
DACUM Panel
Representing 291 years of experience
Doug Armstrong, Executive Director
Mechanical Contractors Association of NWPA
Erie PA
Adam Artise, Journeymen Steamfitter
Scobell Co. Inc., North East, PA
Paul D. Case, Fabrication Shop Supervisor
William T. Spaeder Co., Inc., Girard, PA
Dale Glavin, Training Director
Steamfitters Local Union 449, Pittsburgh, PA
Rob Kubiak, Piping Division Manager
Rabe Environmental Systems, Erie, PA
Dave Ochalek, Instructor/ Steam fitter
Erie Training Center, Oil City, PA
Thomas R. Staab, Retired Instructor
Espyville, PA
Jeremy Stafford, Steamfitter Journeyman
Bortnick Construction, Saegertown, PA
Carl Sutliff, Piping Division Manager
Bortnick Construction, Inc., Linesville, PA
Brad Tisdale, Training Director
Steamfitters Local Union 449, Erie, PA
Facilitator
Jan Kennerknecht, DACUM Facilitator
Edinboro, PA
Produced for
Steamfitters
Local Union 449
Produced by
12860 Kline Road
Edinboro, PA 16412
November 3-4, 2016

2. DACUM Research Chart for Steamfitter
Application of these tasks will vary based on assigned work.
Duties Tasks
Manage
Project
Documentation
Implement
Safety
Procedures
A
A-1
Provide worker
certifications to
customers
A-2
Verify project
blueprints
A-3
Modify project
blueprints
A-4
Provide current
as-built
blueprints
A-5
Submit work
hours and details
B
A-6
Manage scope
of work
A-7
Document
change orders
A-8
Verify use of
specified
materials and
equipment
A-9
Verify welding
procedures and
qualifications
A-10
Maintain SDS
A-11
Document
percentage of
completed work
A-12
Request daily
permits (e.g.,
hot work,
confined space,
line breaks)
A-13
Document
schedule
revisions
A-14
Relay company
standards to
employees
(e.g.,
employer’s,
customer’s)
A-15
Maintain
inspection
records (e.g.,
welds, pressure
tests)
A-16
Perform lock
out/tag out
procedure
A-17
Complete
accident report
A-18
Maintain tool
inventory list
A-19
Submit intent to
install
documentation
A-20
Report non-
compliance of
building codes
A-21
Inspect
equipment and
materials for
damage
B-1
Utilize PPE
B-2
Utilize SDS
B-3
Evacuate work
site
B-4
Monitor
employee
safety
B-5
Provide
emergency
resources, (e.g.,
phone numbers,
first aid kits)
B-6
Barricade
dangerous work
areas
B-7
Provide fire
watch
assistance
B-8
Participate in
safety trainings
(e.g., First Aid,
Confined
Space, Fall
Protection)
B-9
Identify
hazardous
materials
B-10
Complete job
hazard analysis
B-11
Maintain safe
work area
B-12
Maintain
equipment
safety

3. DACUM Research Chart for Steamfitter
Application of these tasks will vary based on assigned work.
Duties Tasks
Participate in
Technical
Training
C
C-1
Obtain welding
certifications
(e.g., UA21,
UA63, UA41)
C-2
Obtain OSHA
certifications
(e.g., 10 Hour,
30 Hour)
C-3
Obtain ICRA 8
certification
C-4
Obtain First
Aid/CPR
certification
C-5
Obtain aerial lift
certification
C-6
Obtain fork lift
certification
C-7
Obtain industrial
rigging
certifications
(e.g., EPRI)
C-8
Obtain crane
signal
certification
C-9
Obtain
respirator fit test
certification
C-10
Obtain confined
space
certification
C-11
Obtain brazing
certification
C-12
Obtain medical
gas certification
C-13
Obtain back-
flow certification
C-14
Obtain valve
repair
certification
C-15
Obtain industrial
instrumentation
certification (e.g.,
fluid flow,
leveling)
C-16
Mentor
steamfitter
apprentices
D
Manage
Job Site
D-1
Coordinate job
mobilization
(e.g., trailer
placement,
utility locations,
fabrication
areas)
D-2
Coordinate
work with other
trades
D-3
Project two-
week task
completion
D-4
Order project
tools
D-5
Order project
materials
D-6
Schedule
deliveries of
materials, tools
and equipment
D-7
Set up daily
work plan
D-8
Transport
industrial
equipment
D-9
Manage project
manpower
levels
D-10
Supervise
project
manpower
D-11
Evaluate job
progress
D-12
Maintain job site
cleanliness
D-13
Maintain project
tools
D-14
Maintain project
equipment
D-15
Participate in job
meetings

4. DACUM Research Chart for Steamfitter
Application of these tasks will vary based on assigned work.
Duties Tasks
D-16
Address
employee job
concerns
E
Conceptualize
Systems
Layout
E-1
Check prints
and
specifications
E-2
Review project
addendums
E-3
Review project
submittals
E-4
Participate in
field condition
walk through
E-5
Submit an RFI
E-6
Coordinate
systems layout
with other
trades
E-7
Modify piping
layout
E-8
Develop
isometric/CAD
drawings
E-9
Evaluate
hanger layout
E-10
Evaluate tie in
requirements
F
Fabricate
System
Components
F-1
Review
isometric
drawings
F-2
Segment
fabrication
drawings
F-3
Identify
specified
fabrication
materials
F-4
Establish pipe
joining method
F-5
Determine QC
requirements
F-6
Receive
fabrication
materials
F-7
Verify
fabrication
materials
F-8
Cut fabrication
materials
F-9
Prep fabrication
materials (e.g.,
cleaning,
beveling)
F-10
Glue pipe and
fittings
F-11
Assemble
mechanical
joints (e.g.,
Lokring,
ProPress,
flaring)
F-12
Thread pipes
and rods
F-13
Perform
soldering
techniques
F-14
Perform brazing
techniques
F-15
Perform bolt-up
process
F-16
Groove pipe
joints
F-17
Perform plastic
fusion
techniques
F-18
Perform GMAW
F-19
Perform GTAW
F-20
Perform FCAW
F-21
Perform SMAW
F-22
Bend tubing
systems

5. DACUM Research Chart for Steamfitter
Application of these tasks will vary based on assigned work.
Duties Tasks
G Install System
Components
G-1
Demo existing
system
G-2
Install systems
supports (e.g.,
hangers)
G-3
Make piping
penetrations
G-4
Rig system
components
G-5
Install
mechanical
equipment (e.g.,
pumps, boilers,
chillers)
G-6
Install piping
systems
G-7
Patch and seal
system
penetrations
G-8
Inspect piping
installation
G-9
Pressure test
piping
G-10
Flush piping
systems
G-11
Evacuate piping
system
G-12
Purge piping
systems
G-13
Fill piping
system
G-14
Label piping
systems
G-15
Tag system
valves
G-16
Commission
mechanical
systems
G-17
Balance piping
system
H
Facilitate
Customer
Service
H-1
Meet regularly
with customer
H-2
Build customer
rapport
H-3
Solicit customer
input
H-4
Respond to
customer
concerns
H-5
Provide
energy/labor
savings
suggestions to
customers
H-6
Conduct
customer
training (e.g.,
valve location,
boiler operation)
H-7
Ensure final
project site
clean-up

6. Worker Behaviors
Complies with company standards
Complies with customer standards
Represents the company in a
professional manner
Appearance is professional
Hardworking
Punctual
Knowledgeable
Willing to share knowledge
Friendly
Organized
Polite
Motivated
Determined
Capable
Productive
Prompt
Honest
Ethical
Safe
Can pass a drug test
Must be drug free
Can pass a criminal background check
and required clearances
Respectful
Thick skinned (able to take criticism)
Can follow instructions
Coachable
General Skills
Troubleshooting
Problem solving
Organizational
Interpersonal
Communication
Ability to learn
Mechanical ability
Visualization
Can interpret drawings
Eye-hand coordination
Computer savvy
Can use cell phone apps for work
Measuring skills
Blueprint reading
Physical ability and strength to do the job
General Knowledge
Building codes
Safe scaffolding techniques
Math
Geometry
Physics
Science
Knows how to access resource manuals
Understanding of systems
Basic electricity
Welding
Pipefitting
Work reference materials
Knowledge of equipment
Knowledge of tool
Acronyms
BIM Building Information Modeling
BIT Building Information Technologies
CAD Computer Aided Drafting
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
FCA Flux Core Arc Welding
GMAW Gas Metal Arc Welding
GTA Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
ICRA Infectious Control Risk Assessment
MCA Mechanical Contractors Association
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
QC Quality Control
RFI Request for Information
SDS Safety Data Sheets
SMAW Shielded Metal Arc Welding
UA United Association
VRF Variable Refrigerant Flow

7. Trends
 You can do more with less now. Technology has resulted in fewer employees needed.
 There is a larger need for foremen today.
 MCA information may not be getting to the individual steamfitters.
 Pipe joining methods have changed greatly. There are more options now.
 Safety is a bigger focus now.
 Quality is a big focus, resulting in more work hours.
 Jobs are constructed on paper before being built in the field. (Auto CAD, Laser, GPS)
 Robots are being used to set up hangers.
 Three dimensional views on computers are being used to develop working drawings.
 Cell phone apps can now be used to calculate rise/fall.
 Computer speeds are doubling every 18 months.
 Computer programs are evolving into more sophisticated products, requiring updating
for employees and instructors.
Concerns
 A lot of talent is being overlooked for workers who want to advance in their career.
 There should be money set aside for training foremen and supervisors, like government
programs.
 Motivation of workers is a concern.
 We need to sponsor more foreman training.
 Not all who attend supervisor training have the mind-set or personality to serve in that
role.
 CAD drawing, BIM, BIT should be incorporated into training.
 Instructors need Blackboard training.
 Professionalism is slipping in some areas, such as pride in work, respect of owner’s
property
 There should be additional incentives for helping workers achieve certifications.
 Some offered trainings have been cancelled due to low enrollment.
 Sometimes job requirements come on so fast that you don’t have time to get additional
training or certification required. A “look ahead” by agents would be helpful.
 Out of town workers are taking jobs- we need more qualified workers.
 The number of apprentices bringing brought in aren’t keeping up with retirement.
 Retention of apprentices is a concern.
 New apprentices need challenging tasks to retain motivation.
 We need to enforce apprenticeship standards. You must master the skills to advance.
 Skill level verification process needs to be reviewed. This could be done each year of
the apprenticeship program, in increments.
 Opportunities must be varied for apprenticeship placements/training. Detailed
apprentice cards (contract reports) could provide information for ensuring adequate
opportunities.

8. Recommendations for Apprenticeship Program
First Year- cutting and measuring skills, math, fittings, mechanical pipe assembly, threading
pipes, introduce bolt up, cut hanger rods, soldering, torque and tighten, materials identification,
types of hangers, weights of pipes, consider reducing hours on welding. Identify rigging
components and inspect them for safety.
Expectation for apprentice: Be willing to work.
Second Year- more hours on steam
Expectation: Have a good head on his/her shoulders.
Third Year- bolt-up, components of refrigeration system, VRF, could add more time on
hydronics, more time on brazing.
Expectation for apprentice: Be a self-starter.
Fourth Year- less time on valve repair, more time on advanced plan reading, more CAD, go
over how to setup a job, going over submittals, more time on isometric drawings, add three-
way valves—
Expectation for apprentice: Show up, go right to work, know what to do.
Fifth Year- less time on medical gas, less time on tube bending
Expectation for apprentice: Ready to be independent, just touching up skills. Asking
for more work.
Other Recommendations
Rotate apprentices through various job sites for more exposure to various tasks.
Advice to Apprentices from DACUM Panel
Doug Armstrong: “Stay current on technology, it is changing our world.”
Adam Artise: “Ask questions. We’re always learning when we’re working. No question is a dumb
question.”
Paul D. Case: “As you come into the training program, don’t have the attitude that you know
everything. You need to pay attention in your classes and in your journeyman position. You need to go
home safely to your family every day.”
Dale Glavin: “Don’t take your journeyman education and what you learn from your instructors for
granted. Both pieces of the apprenticeship model are extremely important to your future. The
certifications and networking are important. Be a sponge, learn every day. Take the best parts of
everything you learn from others and make it your own. It will make you more marketable to our
contractors.”
Rob Kubiak: “We work with hazardous materials and dangerous equipment. Go home safely every
day. Be teachable. Show up on time and do what you’re asked to do.”
Dave Ochalek:“You will be learning from instructors who are preeminent in the business. Everything
is available to you. Preview your books, underline key points. Represent your union and sell both.”
Thomas R. Staab: “Work hard, follow the rules and have pride in your work.”
Jeremy Stafford: “Don’t feel you’re above doing something seemingly meaningless. Do what you’re
asked to do. Pay attention to everything that’s going on around you. Pick up as much as you can and
work hard.”
Carl Sutliff: “Keep an open mind. This trade is about learning an industry. Look at where you want to
be when you’re 65 years old in this trade. Learn the whole trade.”
Brad Tisdale:“Work hard until the job is done. Trust that there is another job around the corner.”