A Heat and Frost Insulator applies insulation materials in order to prevent the transmission of heat, cold, sound and fire. Insulators usually work indoors in the residential, commercial, institutional and industrial construction sectors. They may also work on renovation projects, can specialize in installing particular types of materials, become estimators or advance to supervisory positions. Insulators are employed by construction companies and insulation contractors, or may be self-employed. Heat and Frost Insulators could also work in commercial buildings, ships, industrial plants and private residences.

Insulators use hand and power tools to apply insulating materials to plumbing, heating, air-handling, cooling and refrigeration systems, piping equipment, pressure vessels, walls, floors and ceilings of buildings. Observing and implementing personal and construction safety, including handling and removal of hazardous materials such as lead, ceramic fiber wool, asbestos and flammable materials. They also use access equipment safely, such as ladders, scaffolds, swing stages, boson chairs and elevated work platforms applying a variety of finishes such as plastic, metal and fabric. Insulators may at times be exposed to dangerously high levels of dust and or toxic substances and materials and must take necessary precautions to protect eyes, nose and skin from irritation and infection. Working with potentially hazardous materials should use masks and protective clothing.

With additional training, they may transfer their skills to the trades of carpentry or sheet metal worker. Fully qualified journeypersons can expect above-average incomes. School theory training will include trade-related math and science (such as heat transmission, cryogenics and the impact of temperature on materials), blueprint reading, drafting and health and safety.

 

Industry Changes

 

New building products and techniques are continually being developed for the construction trades. Those who do framing and install walls, ceilings and insulation have benefited from research and development that have simplified these installations. The use of exterior studs has also made work less labor intensive. The introduction of lasers to the trade, including laser alignment systems has increased the efficiency and accuracy of layout lines. These new materials and techniques have given businesses more quality control of workmanship. Building codes have also been updated to reflect these improvements in products and techniques.

Over the next ten years, the employment outlook is considered to be excellent due to trends in housing. The lack of trained and qualified Heat & Frost Insulators and the expected increased retirement rate in these trades over the next decade highlight the opportunities within the industry for good potential jobs. Demand should also be high for those who stay informed about new developments in this field.

 

Safety

 

Safe working practices and accident prevention are the primary importance to the health and safety of all person(s) at any or all work place environments. All person(s) including employee, employer and government, share this responsibility in order to keep everyone free of any dangers or accidents that may cause an individual(s) serious bodily harm or death.

The Occupational Health and Safety Acts and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations, should be consistently reviewed and enforced in every work place environment. Educating and understanding these regulations is everyone’s responsibility in order to keep a safe work place environment.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) has contributed to a safer work place environment. Health and safety has become a high priority in the workplace due to increased awareness of dangers and the identifications of hazardous materials.

Practicing health and safety is a tremendous contribution to a safe and accident free work place environment.

 

Job Tasks

• Access flooring systems

• Applying thermal and sound insulation or sound attenuation blankets, installing vapor barriers, sealing vapor barriers, installing baffles and arranging for inspection using spraying, blowing, pasting, strapping and taping techniques

• Ceiling systems and ornamental shapes using hand and power tools

• Ceiling installation

• Corner beads and wire mesh around beams to which plaster is to be applied

• Cutting openings for electrical outlets, ducts, pipes and windows

• De-mountable partition systems used in commercial office spaces

• Drilling

• Erecting

• fit insulation around obstacles or shape insulation materials and protective coverings

• Framing

• Gypsum lath, metal lath and stucco wire for the installation of items such as metal door and window frames, access doors and wall insulation

• Installs vapor barriers and thermal and sound insulation

• Installing fire-retardant materials

• Maintain building interiors and exteriors

• measure and cut insulating material and coverings to the required specifications

• Metal or gypsum lath to studs or furring using nails, screws, clips or wire ties

• Openings in lath for heating and ventilation piping, ducts and electrical outlets as well as enclosing elevator shafts and stairwells

• Painting

• Putting metal frames together that will hold the drywall panels and insulation using a variety of hand tools

• Reading, interpreting and applying blueprints and specifications for job layout; checking other trades' blueprints for building services, and scheduling the job

• remove or seal off old asbestos insulation

• Scaffolding

• Scraping away excess compound, or sanding surfaces to give them a finished appearance, or applying textured surface on walls and ceilings

• select the amount and type of installation to be installed

• select the method of securing the insulation according to the conditions and uses

• Shielding and sound proofing

• Sound baffling and lead shielding

• Specialized wall and partition systems

• Spraying insulation

• Trim work

• Ventilation

• …and much more

 

Tools

• Adjustable wrench

• Ball peen hammer

• Blowers and ventilation machines

• Caulking guns

• Chalk

• Crow bar

• Drills

• Dust masks

• Glue

• Grinders

• Joint compound

• Hand Sander

• Hack saw

• Hammer

• Knives

• Levels

• Lifting kicker

• Measuring tape

• Mini pipe cutters

• Needle nose pliers

• Plumb bobs

• Reciprocating saw

• Rulers

• Screw driver set

• Shop Vacuum

• Socket set

• Stilts

• Tin snips

• Tool belt

• Utility Saw

• Wood saws

• Wrenches

• Wire strippers

• …and much more

 

Skills

• Critical Thinking

• Decision Making

• Analytical Thinking

• Numerical

• Oral Communication

• Problem Solving

• Reading Blueprints and schematics

• Writing

• Computer Knowledge

 

General Wages

• Average -   $25.00

• Minimum -  $15.00

• Maximum - $32.50​

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Sample Q&A

 

1. What must be done to water-resistant drywall panels to seal it when installing in a bathroom?

a. back blocking is required on walls 24” O.C.

b. shellac all open edges

c. leave ¼” space above the rim of the tub for caulking

d. add second layer of sheetrock

Ans. C

 

2. Why is a protective coating applied to sprayed urethane foam insulation?

a. provide a washable surface.

b. provide a vapor barrier.

c. protect against ultraviolet rays.

d. protect against the weather.

Ans. C

 

3. Which material should not be used to insulate a high temperature steam line?

a. calcium silicate

b. extruded foam plastic

c. cellular glass

d. mineral wool

Ans. B

 

4. Which type of coverall should be worn during asbestos abatement?

a. Insulated.

b. Fire retardant.

c. Cotton.

d. Disposable.

Ans. D

 

5. How far apart should be the spacing when steel studs are used as hangers in a suspended ceiling?

a. 3”

b. 4”

c. 6”

d. 7”

Ans. B

 

6. What would be the best means of securing rigid plastic foam plus 5/8" face-ply to a concrete wall?

a. adhesive

b. nailing

c. metal furring channel

d. Z bar

Ans. D

 

7. Which insulation and finish are used for an exposed rainwater leader?

a. 1in flexible RFFRK wrap insulation sealed with tape and finished with 6oz canvas

b. 1in fiberglass pipe insulation with ASJ jacketing finished with 0.016 aluminum jacketing along with screws

c. 1in fiberglass pipe insulation with ASJ jacketing with butt laps installed and finished with 6oz canvas

Ans. C