Bathroom fitter

Bathroom fitters install bathroom elements. They take the necessary measurements, prepare the room, removing old elements if necessary, and install the new bathroom equipment, including the connection of water, gas and sewage pipes and electricity lines.

Duties

The duties of a bathroom fitter include, but are not limited to:

• Removing and disposing of old units and suites
• Measuring out spaces according to layout and design plans
• Measuring and cutting out worktops
• Using hand and power tools
• Identifying and marking the location of hidden pipes and cables
• Fitting new units and appliances
• Plumbing in bathroom units
• Tiling walls and laying flooring
• Clearing away debris at the end of the job
• Working at a client’s home or business, often in dusty or cramped conditions.

The following job titles also refer to bathroom fitter:

replacement bathroom installer
bathroom joiner and fitter
replacement bathroom fitter
bathroom installation worker
bathroom refurbishment team member
bathroom carpenter and joiner
bathroom fitting specialist
bathroom furniture fitter
bathroom installer
bathroom installation specialist
bathroom refurbishment team worker

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a bathroom fitter. Vocational education in joinery or tiling or advanced plumbing constitutes another path to the position.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Bathroom fitter is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to bathroom fitter.

kitchen unit installer
plumber
sprinkler fitter
water conservation technician
door installer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of bathroom fitter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of bathroom fitter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

plumbing supervisor
construction quality inspector
plastering supervisor
insulation supervisor
water conservation technician supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of bathroom fitter.

• Plumbing tools: A variety of common plumbing tools and their usage cases, limitations and risks.
• Types of piping: A variety of types of piping and piping materials. PVC, CPVC, PEX, copper, and the advantages, usage cases, risks, and costs of each.
• Types of toilets: Different types of toilets and toilet cisterns, their aesthetic and functional aspect, their specific needs in installation and maintenance, and their price points.
• Types of bath tubs: Different types of bath tubs, including sitting baths, baths that open to the side to accommodate people with difficulties entering and exiting regular baths, and whirlpool baths. The aesthetic and functional aspects of each type and their price points.
• Types of showers: Different types of showers, their aesthetic and functional aspects, their specific installation and maintenance needs, and price points.

These skills are necessary for the role of bathroom fitter.

• Unload cargo: Handle safe unloading of goods from transportation vehicles.
• Load cargo: Gather goods to be transported and place them in a transportation vehicle.
• Replace faucets: Remove taps using the appropriate tool, such as a tap wrench, a monkey wrench or a ratcheting wrench. Perform the same operations to replace the tap with a repaired or new one.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Use shims: Set shims in gaps to keep objects firmly in place. Use the suitable size and type of shim, depending on the purpose.
• Snap chalk line: Stretch a line covered in fine, non-staining chalk between two points and snap it against a surface to produce a straight line.
• Check compatibility of materials: Make sure the materials are fit to be used together, and if there are any foreseeable interferences.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Check water pressure: Check the water pressure in a water circulation system, using a built-in gauge or by attaching a water pressure gauge onto a pipe. In the case of a stand-alone gauge, be sure to depressurise the system before attaching the gauge.
• Plan surface slope: Make sure the planned surface has the necessary slope to prevent puddling of water or fluids.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Install construction profiles: Install a variety of metal or plastic profiles used to attach materials to each other or to structural elements. Cut them to size if called for.
• Interpret 3d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Attach PEX pipe: Make attachments between PEX pipes and between PEX and other materials. Put a copper crimp ring around both ends. Insert a connector piece between the cable ends and use the appropriate size crimp tool to crimp the rings. Check the crimp operation using a go-no-go tool.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• Place sanitary equipment: Place sanitary equipment, such as toilets and sinks. Attach the equipment securely to walls and floors. Install taps and water disposal pipes.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bathroom fitter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Water pressure: Physical laws, qualities and applications of liquid or water pressure.
• Road transport legislation: Know road transport regulations at regional, national, and European level in matters of safety and environmental requirements.
• Vehicle cargo capacity: The capacity and the limits of the commissioned vehicle in terms of weight, type of cargo it can handle, and other cargo loading specifications.
• Aesthetics: Set of principles based on which something is appealing and beautiful.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bathroom fitter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Install frameless glass: Set frameless glass panes, usually in showers and on bathtubs. Use plastic shims to make sure the glass doesn’t touch any hard surfaces, which may cause scratching or breaking. Make sure the glass is level and attach any brackets to keep the glass in place. Waterproof the edges with silicone rubber caulk.
• Sort waste: Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
• Apply proofing membranes: Apply specialised membranes to prevent penetration of a structure by dampness or water. Securely seal any perforation to preserve the damp-proof or waterproof properties of the membrane. Make sure any membranes overlap top over bottom to prevent water from seeping in. Check the compatibility of multiple membranes used together.
• Handle customer complaints: Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.
• Use squaring pole: Use a squaring pole, a telescopic measurement pole that allows for checking the length of the diagonals of an inset area of a structure. If the diagonals are of equal length, the inset is straight.
• Set up water filtration system: Place the appropriate filtration units for water filtration and connect them to the source and destination pipes. Make sure the filtration units are accessible for maintenance and to replace filters if necessary.
• Use sander: Use different types of drywall sanders, automatic or manual, handheld or on an extension, to sand surfaces to a smooth finish or to rough them up for better adhesion.
• Protect surfaces during construction work: Cover floors, ceiling, skirting boards and any other surfaces with various materials such as plastic or textile to keep them from being damaged or stained when performing construction or renovation work like painting or plastering.
• Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Install pvc piping: Lay different types and sizes of PVC piping in prepared spaces. Cut the piping to size and attach it by using glue or other systems. Make sure the piping has a clean edge, is free of strains and has the right tilt for fluids to run through.
• Pack goods: Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
• Take payments for bills: Accept payments from customers by cash money or credit cards.
• Operate gps systems: Use GPS Systems.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Place mirrors: Set different types of mirrors onto walls, doors, cupboards or other surfaces. Make sure the mirror is set firmly in place.
• Cut wall chases: Cut a narrow channel in a wall or other partition in order to run cables through it. Cut the channel straight and without causing unnecessary damage. Be sure to avoid existent wires. Lead the cables through the chase and fill it up with the appropriate material.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Demonstrate products’ features: Demonstrate how to use a product in a correct and safe manner, provide customers with information on the product’s main features and benefits, explain operation, correct use and maintenance. Persuade potential customers to purchase items.
• Process customer orders: Handle orders placed by customers. Receive the customer order and define a list of requirements, a working process, and a time frame. Execute the work as planned.

7126 – Plumbers and pipe fitters

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References

1. Bathroom fitter – ESCO
2. Kitchen and bathroom fitter | Explore careers – National Careers Service
3. Bathroom Fitter Job Description | Go Construct
4. Featured image: Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash