Fire Protection Pipefitter

M.C. Dean, Inc•Fredericksburg, VA

About The Position

The Fire Protection Pipefitter is an entry-level position on M.C. Dean’s Life Safety Group fire sprinkler team. The role focuses on installing fire protection piping systems, including preaction, wet, and dry sprinkler systems. Working alongside experienced technicians, the pipefitter learns installation methods, system start-up, testing, and code compliance. This position is the first step in a career path toward Sprinkler Technician. M.C. Dean provides hands-on training, mentorship, and assistance pursuing NICET certification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
No prior experience required.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Willingness to work overtime, after-hours, and in occupied facilities.
Travel up to 30% may be required.
Ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds regularly; relocate a 12-foot stepladder without assistance; and work at heights up to 60 feet, including climbing and maintaining balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks, and ladders.
Ability to walk, climb, lift, squat, crawl, kneel, push, pull, and reach overhead on a routine and repetitive basis.
Good vision, which may be corrected, ability to see in color, and ability to hear and communicate in English.
Ability to use a standard ladder without exceeding its weight limit while carrying tools.
Ability to recognize when something is wrong or likely to go wrong; apply general rules to specific problems; combine information to form general rules or conclusions; see details at close range; and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences.
Additional client background check required.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with pipefitting, plumbing, HVAC piping, or sprinkler installation.
Trade school or apprenticeship coursework.
OSHA 10 or 30, aerial lift, or confined space training.
Experience with Victaulic, threaded, and welded systems.

Responsibilities

Install, cut, thread, groove, and hang sprinkler piping, fittings, hangers, and seismic bracing according to NFPA 13 and approved shop drawings.
Assist with preaction system installation, including preaction valves, releasing panel interfaces, supervisory air or nitrogen, and detection coordination, following NFPA 13 and NFPA 72.
Perform hydrostatic and air pressure testing according to NFPA 13 and document results.
Read and work from sprinkler drawings, isometrics, and sketches.
Support service work, including component replacement, deficiency corrections, and inspection, testing, and maintenance tasks under a lead technician, following NFPA 25.
Maintain tools, vehicle, material staging, and site housekeeping.
Follow M.C. Dean safety requirements, OSHA standards, and site-specific access rules.