Gas Technician / Gas Fitter

NOC (National Occupational Classification)

  • NOC 7253 Gas Fitters

Who am I?

Gasfitters install, inspect, repair and maintain gas lines and gas equipment such as meters, regulators, heating units and appliances in residential, commercial and industrial establishments.

Although a gasfitter is usually employed by gas utility companies and gas servicing companies, many trades’ people that work in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry possess a gas fitter license in addition to others.

There are two types of gasfitters. Their jobs are very similar, with one main difference: the size of equipment they can work on. In some provinces these are identified as Gasfitter I Class or Gasfitter II Class in other provinces they are Gasfitter A Class and B Class. They are licensed according to  work on all gaseous fuelled appliances with BTU (British Thermal Units – the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of liquid 1 ºF.) different ratings. For example, Gasfitter I is licensed to work up to and in excess of 400,000 BTU such as those large equipment used by shopping malls, schools, hospitals and in manufacturing applications) while Gas fitter II gaseous fuelled equipment with a BTU rating of 400,000 or less (usually including residential heating and water heater applications and some light commercial application).

Other Titles

Gas Customer Services
Gas Fitter Apprentice
Gas Technician
Gas Servicer

Essential Skills

Essential Skills are not the technical skills required by particular occupations but rather the skills applied in all occupations. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and apply to careers in HVACR. See Employment and Social Development Canada for more details.

The most important Essential Skills for Gasfitters are:

  • Document Use – Reading and interpreting documents to extract information regarding codes, work orders is required
  • Numeracy – Frequently required to work with numbers to perform calculations regarding such things as gas pressure
  • Thinking Skills – Problem solving is require to coming up with solutions to challenges that may be presented working on equipment in the field.

What do I do?

  • As a Trades Gas Fitter you may do some of the following:
  • Install, troubleshoot and maintain heating equipment
  • Interact with customers, selling products and services
  • Read and interpret blueprints, drawings or other specifications and understand code requirements
  • Create equipment design and installation drawings for large heating or drying systems in manufacturing plants. Can include electrical schematics, equipment assembly drawings, floor plan drawings, and installation flowcharts
  • Complete estimates and work proposals and develop budgets for installation or replacement of heating systems
  • Assess the safety of situations and equipment  ensuring code requirements are met
  • Troubleshoot gas-fired equipment monitor and analyze equipment readings to determine what adjustments to make to heating systems
  • Provide residential, commercial and light industrial customers with use and application advice pertaining to heating, cooling, indoor air quality, cooking, drying and water heating.

Education/Training

  • Apprenticeship is one way: it involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified Gasfitter, called a journeyperson
  • Requirements for gasfitter apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. Gasfitter 1st Class apprenticeship program in most provinces and territories, you must have a Grade 9 education or equivalent and pass an entrance exam, or have gasfitter 2nd Class certification. To enter a gasfitter 2nd Class apprenticeship program you must be a certified Plumber or Steamfitter/Pipefitter
  • In some provinces and territories secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a Gasfitter are offered
  • Gasfitter apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. Gasfitter 1st Class apprenticeship programs generally involve three 12-month periods, including at least 4,500 hours of on-the-job training, three eight-week blocks of technical training and a final certificate exam. Gasfitter 2nd Class apprenticeship programs generally involve two 12-month periods, including at least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training, and two eight-week blocks of technical training
  • Related work experience or completion of a gasfitter program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship
  • Certification and apprenticeship standards vary by province: see your province information.