Heat and Frost Insulator

Job Description

Heat and frost insulators apply insulation materials to plumbing, air-handling, heating, cooling and refrigeration systems; piping equipment and pressure vessels; and walls, floors and ceilings of buildings and other structures to prevent or reduce the passage of heat, cold, sound or fire

They also apply and secure insulation, measure and cut insulating material using hand and power tools, install vapour barriers, apply waterproofing cement over insulating materials to finish surfaces, remove asbestos or urea-formaldehyde insulation from buildings, and read and interpret specifications to select the type of insulation required.

Education and Certifications

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Apprenticeship training programs for heat and frost insulators generally involve four 12-month periods, including at least 5,650 hours of on-the-job training, three eight-week blocks of technical training and a final certificate exam.

Related work experience or completion of a heat and frost insulator program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.

To be certified as a heat and frost insulator, you usually need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the required on-the-job training, technical training and exams, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.

Insulation workers who remove and handle asbestos must be trained through a program accredited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Essential Career Information

• $47,740 - Median pay, 2017
• $25,050 - Wage of lowest 10 percent, 2017
• $63,050 - Wage of the highest 10 percent, 2017
• 59,500 - Number of jobs, 2016
• 5% - Employment growth forecast, 2016
• Entry-level education requirements - High school diploma or equivalent