Properly insulated buildings consume less energy during summer and winter. Tanks, vats, vessels, hot-water pipes, boilers, refrigerated storage rooms, and steam are insulated to avoid the wasteful loss of cold or heat. Insulation helps to lessen the noise, which passes through ceilings and walls. An insulation worker installs the material used to insulate equipments and buildings.
Job Prospects
Insulation workers staple, cement, tape, wire, or spray insulation. While covering a steam pipe, for instance, insulation workers cut and measure sections of insulation to the appropriate length, stretch it open along a cut, which runs the length of the material and then slip it over the pipe.
Insulation worker fasten the insulation with staples, adhesive, wire, or tape. At times, they wrap a cover of plastic, aluminum, or canvas over the cement and insulation. These workers may screw on sheet metal around pipes to guard the insulation from physical mishandling or weather conditions. While covering a wall and other flat surface, insulation workers use a hose to spray foam insulation onto a wire mesh, which provide the rough surface.
In insulation work, a helper has to feed machine with cellulose, fiberglass, or wool insulation, whilst another worker blows the insulation with a compressor hose into the space being filled. In major renovation or new construction, insulation workers staple rock-wool batts, or fiberglass to ceilings and exterior walls before paneling, drywall or plaster walls are put in place.
While putting insulation around new pipes and industrial machinery and making major renewals to old buildings, insulation workers should first remove the old insulation. In the past, asbestos was used extensively in ceilings, walls, and to cover boilers, pipes, and various industrial equipments. Due to this danger, the US Environment Protection Agency regulations need that asbestos to be removed before the building demolished or undergo major reconstructions. When asbestos is present, especially, trained workers ought to remove it before insulation workers install the new insulating materials.
Work Environment
Usually, insulation professionals work indoors in residential and industrial settings. They have to work on their feet kneeling, bending, and standing. They also work in confined spaces or from ladders. Generally, their work needs more coordination than strength. In industries, insulation workers insulate vessels and pipes at temperatures, which may cause burns. Insulation workers should follow strict safety guidelines to avoid future hazards.
These workers need to keep the area well ventilated, wear masks, protective suits, respirators, and take decontamination bath when necessary. Generally, the work of insulation is executed when buildings are closed so weather conditions have less effect on the work. An insulation worker has to carry out following responsibilities.
Responsibilities
Educational Qualification
Many employers prefer to hire candidates who completed high school graduation. Candidates who have completed high school courses in shop mathematics, blueprint reading, science, woodworking, sheet metal layout, and general construction are preferred.
Most of the new workers receive supervision and instruction from expert insulation workers. Trainees start with simple tasks such as holding materials or carrying insulation while it is fixed firmly in place. Some of the employers offer on-the-job training to new workers. The training may vary depending upon the size and nature of work.
The insulation workers should have skills of installing machines, equipments, wiring, or programs to meet requirements. An insulation worker must have ability to convey information to co-workers effectively. Insulation workers should be able to teach others how to perform a particular task.