Beijing Paradise BBS Backup/PARADISE.ISO/software/BBSDOORW/JOB4.ZIP/OOHB0208.HBK

Text File | 1995-10-24 | 15.2 KB | 302 lines

301
Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technicians

(D.O.T.  637.261-014, -026, -030, and -034, and .381; 827.361-014;
862.281-018, .361-010; and 869.281-010)

Mechanics and Repairers

Nature of the Work

What would those living in Chicago do without heating, those in
Miami do without air-conditioning, or blood banks in all parts of
the country do without refrigeration?  People always have sought
ways to make their environment more comfortable.  Today, heating and
air-conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and the
total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial, and other
buildings.  Refrigeration systems make it possible to store and
transport food, medicine, and other perishable items.  Heating,
air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians install, maintain,
and repair such systems.

   Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems consist of many
mechanical, electrical, and electronic components, including motors,
compressors, pumps, fans, ducts, pipes, thermostats, and switches.
In central heating systems, for example, a furnace heats the air
that is then distributed throughout the building via a system of
metal or fiberglass ducts.  Technicians must be able to maintain,
diagnose, and correct problems within the entire system the ducts as
well as the other components.  They adjust system controls to
recommended settings and test the performance of the entire system
using special tools and test equipment.

   Technicians may specialize in installation or in maintenance and
repair.  They may further specialize in one type of equipment, such
as oil burners, solar panels, or commercial refrigerators.  However,
more and more technicians do both installation and servicing, and
work with heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment.  The
following describes some of the specific jobs in this field.

   Furnace installers, also called heating equipment technicians,
follow blueprints or other specifications to install oil, gas,
electric, solid-fuel, and multifuel heating systems.  After putting
the equipment in place, they may install fuel and water supply
lines, air ducts and vents, pumps, and other components.  They may
connect electrical wiring and controls and check the unit for proper
operation.  To ensure the proper functioning of the system, furnace
installers often use combustion test equipment such as carbon
dioxide and oxygen testers.

   After a furnace has been installed, technicians often perform
routine maintenance and repair in order to keep the system operating
efficiently.  During the fall and winter, when the system is needed
most, they service and adjust burners and blowers.  If the system is
not operating properly, they check the thermostat, burner nozzles,
controls, and other parts in order to diagnose the problem and then
correct it by adjusting or replacing parts.  During the summer,
technicians do maintenance work, such as replacing filters and
vacuum-cleaning vents, ducts, and other parts of the heating system
that may accumulate soot, ash, and dust during the operating season.

   Air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians install and service
central air-conditioning systems and a variety of refrigeration
equipment.  Technicians follow blueprints, design specifications,
and manufacturers' instructions to install motors, compressors,
condensing units, evaporators, and other components.  They connect
this equipment to the duct work, refrigerant lines, and electrical
power source.  After making the connections, they charge the system
with refrigerant and check it for proper operation.

   When air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment breaks down,
technicians diagnose the problem and make repairs.  To find defects,
they test parts such as compressors, relays, and thermostats.
During the winter, air-conditioning technicians inspect the systems
and do required maintenance, such as overhauling compressors.  When
servicing equipment, heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration
technicians must use care to conserve, recover, and recycle
chlorofluorcarbon (CFC) refrigerants used in air-conditioning and
refrigeration systems.  The release of CFC's contributes to the
depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects plant and
animal life from ultraviolet radiation.  Technicians conserve the
refrigerant by making sure that there are no leaks in the system;
they recover it by venting the refrigerant into proper cylinders;
and they recycle it for reuse with special filter-dryers.

   Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians use a
variety of tools, including hammers, wrenches, metal snips, electric
drills, pipe cutters and benders, and acetylene torches, to work
with refrigerant lines and air ducts.  They use voltmeters,
thermometers, pressure gauges, manometers, and other testing devices
to check air flow, refrigerant pressure, electrical circuits,
burners, and other components.

   Cooling and heating systems sometimes are installed or repaired by
other craft workers.  For example, on a large air-conditioning
installation job, especially where workers are covered by union
contracts, duct work might be done by sheet-metal workers;
electrical work by electricians; and installation of piping,
condensers, and other components by plumbers and pipefitters.  Room
air-conditioners and household refrigerators are serviced by home
appliance repairers.  Additional information about each of these
occupations appears elsewhere in the Handbook.

   Air-conditioning mechanics diagnose the problem and make repairs.

Working Conditions

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians work in
homes, supermarkets, hospitals, office buildings, factories anywhere
there is climate control equipment.  They may be assigned to
specific job sites at the beginning of each day, or they may be
dispatched to jobs by radio or telephone.

   Technicians may work outside in cold or hot weather or in buildings
that are uncomfortable because the air-conditioning or heating
equipment is broken.  In addition, technicians often work in awkward
or cramped positions and sometimes are required to work in high
places.  Hazards include electrical shock, burns, muscle strains,
and other injuries from handling heavy equipment.

   Technicians usually work a 40-hour week, but during peak seasons
they often work overtime or irregular hours.  Maintenance workers,
including those that provide maintenance services under contract,
often work evening or weekend shifts, and are on call.  Most
employers try to provide a full workweek the year round by doing
both installation and maintenance work.  Therefore, in most shops
that service both heating and air-conditioning equipment, employment
is very stable throughout the year.

Employment

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians held about
212,000 jobs in 1992.  One of every 2 worked for cooling and heating
contractors.  The remainder were employed in a wide variety of
industries.  Some worked for fuel oil dealers, refrigeration and
air-conditioning service and repair shops and schools.  Others were
employed by the Federal Government, hospitals, office buildings, and
other organizations that operate large air-conditioning,
refrigeration, or heating systems.  Approximately 1 of every 8
technicians was self-employed.  Jobs are found throughout the
country, reflecting the widespread dependence on climate control
systems.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Because of the increased sophistication of heating, air-
conditioning, and refrigeration systems, employers prefer to hire
those with technical school or apprenticeship training.  A sizable
number of these workers, however, still learn the trade informally
on the job.

   Many secondary and postsecondary technical and trade schools, junior
and community colleges, and the Armed Forces offer 1- to 2-year
programs in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration.  Students
study theory, design, and equipment construction, as well as
electronics.  They also learn the basics of installation,
maintenance, and repair.

   Apprenticeship programs are frequently run by joint committees
representing local chapters of the Air-Conditioning Contractors of
America, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, the
National Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors,
and locals of the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association or
the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing
and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.  Other
apprenticeship programs are sponsored by local chapters of the
Associated Builders and Contractors and the Home Builders Institute
of the National Association of Home Builders.  These programs
generally last 4 or 5 years and combine on-the-job training with 144
hours of classroom instruction each year in related subjects, such
as the use and care of tools, safety practices, blueprint reading,
and air-conditioning theory.  Applicants for these programs must
have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

   Those who acquire their skills on the job usually begin by assisting
experienced technicians and doing simple jobs.  They may carry
materials, insulate refrigerant lines, or clean furnaces.  In time,
they do more difficult jobs, such as cutting and soldering pipes and
sheet metal and checking electrical and electronic circuits.  In 4
to 5 years, new technicians should be able to do all types of repair
and installation.

   Courses in shop math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and
chemistry, electronics, and blueprint reading provide a good
background for those interested in entering this occupation.  A
basic understanding of microelectronics is becoming more important
because of the increasing use of this technology in solid-state
equipment controls.  Because technicians frequently deal directly
with the public, they should be courteous and tactful, especially
when dealing with an aggravated customer.  They also should be in
good physical condition because they sometimes have to lift and move
heavy equipment.

   Provisions of the Clean Air Act require that all air-conditioning
and refrigeration technicians be certified by November 1994 to work
on systems involving refrigerant recovery or recycling.  Training
programs designed to prepare workers for the certification
examination, as well as for general skills improvement training, are
provided by heating and air-conditioning equipment manufacturers;
the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES); the Air
Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA); the Mechanical Service
Contractors of America; local chapters of the National Association
of Plumbing, Heating-Cooling Contractors; and the United Association
of Plumbers and Pipefitters.  RSES also offers a basic self-study
course for individuals with limited experience.

   Advancement usually takes the form of higher wages.  Some
technicians advance to positions as supervisors.  Those with
sufficient money and managerial skill can open their own contracting
business.

Job Outlook

Job prospects for air-conditioning, heating, and refrigeration
technicians are expected to be very good.  In addition to jobs
created by economic growth, thousands of openings will result from
the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or
leave the labor force.  Although relatively few heating,
air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians transfer to other
occupations reflecting their lengthy investment in training and the
relatively high wages and benefits in this trade the number of
retirements is expected to rise as more of these workers reach
retirement age.

   Employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration
technicians is expected to increase faster than the average for all
occupations through the year 2005.  As the population and economy
grow and new residential, commercial, and industrial structures are
built, more technicians will be needed to install and maintain
climate control systems.  A growing concern about energy management
and conservation also should prompt installation of new
energy-saving heating and air-conditioning systems in existing homes
and buildings.  Regulations in the 1990 Clean Air Act prohibiting
the intentional discharge of CFC refrigerants and banning CFC
production by the year 2000 could result in additional retrofiting
and replacement of existing equipment and create more jobs for
heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians.

   Those who specialize in the installation of new systems may
experience periods of unemployment when the level of construction
activity declines.  On the other hand, employment of those doing
maintenance work is relatively stable people and businesses depend
on their climate control systems regardless of economic conditions.

Earnings

Median weekly earnings of air-conditioning, heating, and
refrigeration technicians who worked full time were $474 in 1992.
The middle 50 percent earned between $356 and $596.  The lowest 10
percent earned less than $280 a week, and the top 10 percent earned
more than $743 a week.

   Apprentices usually begin at about 50 percent of the wage rate paid
to experienced workers.  As they gain experience and improve their
skills, they receive periodic increases until they reach the wage
rate of experienced workers.

   Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians enjoy a
variety of employer-sponsored benefits.  In addition to some typical
benefits like health insurance and pension plans, some employers pay
for work-related training and provide uniforms, company vans, and a
few tools.

Related Occupations

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians work with
sheet metal and piping, and repair machinery, such as electrical
motors, compressors, and burners.  Other workers who have similar
skills are boilermakers, electrical appliance servicers,
electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, and sheetmetal workers.

Sources of Additional Information

   For more information about employment and training opportunities in
this trade, contact local vocational and technical schools; local
heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractors; a local of
the unions previously mentioned; a local joint union-management
apprenticeship committee; a local chapter of the Associated Builders
and Contractors; or the nearest office of the State employment
service or State apprenticeship agency.

   For information on career opportunities and training, write to:

   Associated Builders and Contractors, 1300 North 17th St.  NW.,
Rossyln, VA 22209.

   Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, 1666 Rand Rd., Des Plaines,
IL 60016-3552.

   National Association of Home Builders, Home Builders Institute, 1010
Vermomnt Ave.  NW., Washington, DC 20005.

   National Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors,
P.O.  Box 6808, Falls Church, VA 22046.

   New England Fuel Institute, P.O.  Box 888, Watertown, MA 02172.

   Mechanical Contractors Association of America, 1385 Piccard Dr.,
Rockville, MD 20850-4329.

   Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, 1501 Wilson Blvd.,
Arlington, VA 22209.