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Insulation Workers cover pipes, ducts, boilers, tanks, refrigerant and brine lines, cooler rooms, and walls and ceilings of buildings, homes, and equipment with various kinds of insulating materials to ensure that either heat or cold will be retained.

JOB DUTIES 

Insulation Workers may:

Read blueprints and select the type of insulating material, such as polyurethane foam, felt, fiberglass, polystyrene foam, or mineral wool, based on heat retaining or heat excluding qualities and space for material.

Apply adhesive to surfaces being insulated to hold insulating materials

Bind wire netting around the object being insulated to hold insulating material in place or form a reinforced base for plastic insulating material

Measure and cut insulating materials

Apply insulating materials over wire netting

Cut block or formed pipe insulation to the required size and shape

Clip metal bands to pipe insulation to secure the insulation on pipes plus fitting sections of pipe insulation to pipe surfaces

Spot weld or screw wire studs to surfaces (when covering flat surfaces) and fasten insulating material to the studs

Brush waterproof cement over the surfaces and press material into place

Coat joints with cement and wrap them with tape to seal them

Cover or seal the insulation with preformed plastic covers, canvas strips, or sealant

To watch a brief video on Insulation Workers click here :

The Tools, Equipment, & Materials used may include: 

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES 

Insulation Workers may specialize in these areas:

863.364-014 INSULATION WORKERS cover pipes, ducts, boilers, tanks, refrigerant and brine lines, cooler rooms, and walls and ceilings of buildings, homes, and equipment with various kinds of insulating materials to ensure that either heat or cold will be retained.

869.664-014 INSULATION INSTALLERS fasten sheet, bat, blanket, and similar types of building insulation to walls, floors, ceilings, and partitions to prevent or reduce passage of heat, cold, or sound.

863.381-014 PIPE COVERERS AND INSULATORS cover boilers, pipes, tanks, and refrigeration units with insulating materials to reduce loss or absorption of heat.

863.664-010 BLOWER INSULATORS blow insulating material into spaces within walls, floors, and ceilings of buildings, using a hose attached to a blower.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts: 

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Insulation Workers may work alone or with other skilled Insulation Workers, apprentices, or helpers. They do construction and maintenance work both indoors and outdoors. Workers might be uncomfortable in winter months because buildings may not be completely enclosed. They may work in cramped, dirty, dusty, greasy, or grimy situations.

They must use safety precautions, such as masks and air filtering systems, when working with some types of insulation. They may encounter such hazards as cuts from tools and metals, falls from ladders or scaffolds, muscle strain, and burns from hot pipes. Small particles of materials can be irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory system.  Removing asbestos insulation is hazardous and must be done by specially trained workers who must use protective equipment and procedures.

The normal workweek is a 40-hour week. Workers who insulate outdoor piping and other equipment may lose some work time because of bad weather conditions. However, since most insulating work is performed indoors, these Workers (as a group) lose less working time because of weather conditions than many other building trades workers do. They usually travel from one job site to another within their local area. Workers may have to provide their own tools.

Many Insulation Workers belong to the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers or The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. It is estimated that about one-third of Workers are unionized. Union members must pay dues.  In Michigan, insulation work may be done by insulators or by carpenters with corresponding union affiliations. Insulation work done as a unionized insulator is "mechanical insulation work" such as the insulation of boilers, pipes, and ducts.  Carpentry insulation work tends to be the insulation of a building or walls within a structure such as insulating walls for sound or heat, or the insulation for large walk-in coolers. 

You Should Prefer:

• Working with your hands

• Performing activities using special processes and techniques

• Performing activities of a routine, organized nature 

You Should Be Able To:

• Follow spoken or written instructions

• Compare/see differences in size/shape/form of lines/figures/objects

• Select insulating materials and tools based on specifications

• Use logical procedures based on accurate information to complete tasks

• Visualize solid objects from flat drawings or pictures

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Make judgments from experience or factual data

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve: 

If a room has to be insulated which is 10 feet by 10 feet and a ceiling which is 8 feet high, how many square feet of insulation will it take to insulate the walls? 

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

A consumer is anyone who buys goods or services for personal use. At one time or another, everyone is a consumer.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a letter of apology to any customer that you may have angered while on the job.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best type of insulation for a given job.

The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation. Click here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see  Asbestos Abatement Worker, Asbestos Abatement Supervisor, Asbestos Abatement Inspector, or Asbestos Abatement Contractor, or Asbestos Abatement Project Designer for specific licensing information.  

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES 

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer; a High School diploma or equivalent or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation. 

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the Career Exploration Script:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0500BUILDING TRADES , 0700CAREERS , 0900COMMUNICATIONS , 2200MATH , 2900SCIENCE , 3200TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300TECHNOLOGY , 3400WOODS  

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS*** 

032 CONSTRUCTION/BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Approved vocational education programs in the Construction/Building Maintenance prepare students to erect, maintain, and repair buildings, highways, airports, and other structures using materials such as metal wood, stone, brick, glass concrete, and composition substances. Instruction is given in cost estimating, the use of hand and power tools, and in following technical specifications and blueprints. Instruction may be given in classroom, shop, or laboratory settings or at the actual location of construction projects.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program: 

CONSTRUCTION - (ON SITE)

CONSTRUCTION - (IN SCHOOL)

FLOOR COVERING

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.     

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES*** 

003 INSULATION WORKER

Most people enter occupations within this Career Exploration Script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 4 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB 

Insulating Hot/Cold Surfaces 

Types/Sizes of Insulation Materials

Erecting Ladders/Scaffolding

Cutting/Trimming/Securing Insulation

Mixing Cement/Paste/Adhesive

Preparing Finished Insulation for Painting

Cleaning/Measuring Surfaces to be Insulated

Stretching/Sewing Canvas Fittings/Coverings 

Applying Finish/Protective Coating to Outdoor Work

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM 

 ***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Scripts. 

  E-Learning Courses and Programs    

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY 

Individuals may find part-time or summer employment as Insulation Workers' helpers. Secondary vocational education programs in construction trades may offer a co-op segment. Experience can also be gained through a formal apprenticeship program.

School-to-Work opportunities include: 

Informal apprenticeships

Mentorships

Job shadowing experiences

Touring a local Insulation Worker employer

Internships

Volunteer work with an Insulation Worker employer

Community service work with an agency

The most common methods of becoming Insulation Workers are applying directly to employers and completing an apprenticeship program. Assistance in finding jobs may be available from the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America; high school placement offices; and apprenticeship information consultants at local offices of the Michigan Works!  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Skilledworkers.com

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Talent Bank

simplyhired.com

Indeed | one search. all jobs.

Jobster

MONSTER.COM 

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings vary according to the industry, extent of unionization, and area of employment. The hourly wage rate of union workers is usually higher than the hourly wage rate of nonunion workers. Nationwide, hourly wage rates are lowest in the South and highest in the Far West, in the industrial Midwest, and in segments of the Northeast. Workers are usually paid time and a half for overtime. 

Nationally, the median hourly earnings for insulation workers were $17.12 per hour in 2009.  The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $18.48 in 2009. 
 
In Michigan, hourly union rates, including fringe benefits, for Insulation Workers working on commercial construction projects in early 2010 were:   

Apprentices usually start at 50% to 60% of the journeyperson's rate and receive periodic increases as they progress.

Depending on the employer, most Insulation Workers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer. 

In some cases, employees and employers may contribute jointly to union trust funds used to pay for fringe benefits.

Advancement depends on work experience, education, and the ability to supervise. Promotion to insulation supervisor or job estimator may be possible. 

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

Nationally, about 57,300 Insulation Workers were employed in 2008. Employment is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2018. The best opportunities should be in urban areas where most insulation contractors locate. The industry distribution for Insulation Workers looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator. 
 
Approximately 950 Insulation Workers are employed in Michigan. Of these 475 specialized in floor, ceiling and wall construction, while 475 specialized in mechanical work. Most work in urban areas. They work for commercial and industrial contractors, chemical plants, petroleum refineries, cold storage facilities, and industrial firms which have steam installations for power and heating. 
 
Employment of Insulation Workers in Michigan is expected to about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. However, temporary slow growth in residential and commercial construction will hinder the need for insulation workers.
 
An average of 22 annual openings should occur due to the replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. In late 2009, there were 74 apprentices in training for this occupation, and 4 completed the apprentice program during the prior 12 months. 

The need for energy-saving insulation (because of the high cost of energy and saving the environment) should prove favorable for Insulation Workers. As a result of the recent presidential stimulus package, more insulation workers in the construction industry will be needed as more funding is provided to complete more construction projects. The increasing use of industrial pipe in some manufacturing processes will also require workers for installation and maintenance work. However, during periods of economic recession, residential and commercial construction decreases. Growth in the employment of Insulation Workers may be slow during these periods. The need to remove and replace asbestos is another factor that will create a demand for Insulation Workers. Employment is generally more stable for Insulation Workers employed in industrial plants than for those in construction. 
 

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2016  

For Insulation workers, Floor, Ceiling and Wall (only):

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

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   Copyright © 2010 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth