What Do Mechanical Insulation Workers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Mechanical Insulation Workers apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature. They also measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors.

Other tasks include:

• Remove or seal off old asbestos insulation, following safety procedures.
• Fit insulation around obstructions, and shape insulating materials and protective coverings as required.
• Determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use.
• Install sheet metal around insulated pipes with screws to protect the insulation from weather conditions or physical damage.
• 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.
• Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.

We asked Mechanical Insulation Workers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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63% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Mechanical Insulation Workers measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, knives, and scissors. They determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use.

A typical day for a Mechanical Insulation Worker will also include:

• Fit insulation around obstructions, and shape insulating materials and protective coverings as required.
• Select appropriate insulation, such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, or cork, based on the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
• 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.
• Read blueprints and specifications to determine job requirements.
• Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement, or asphalt mastic.

We asked some Mechanical Insulation Workers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	45% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	49% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	73% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	18% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	14% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	70% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Mechanical Insulation Workers also install sheet metal around insulated pipes with screws to protect the insulation from weather conditions or physical damage. They may also read blueprints and specifications to determine job requirements.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Mechanical Insulation Workers Fill blower hoppers with insulating materials. They might also Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.

In addition, they Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement, or asphalt mastic.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Determine the amounts and types of insulation needed, and methods of installation, based on factors such as location, surface shape, and equipment use.

To some Mechanical Insulation Workers, it is also their responsibility to 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.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Mechanical Insulation Worker, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/construction-and-extraction/insulation-workers.htm

http://www.insulation.org/index.cfm

http://www.nccer.org/insulating?pID=105

http://www.insulators.org/careers-heat-and-frost-insulators/become-an-apprentice/