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Federal Wage System Job Grading Standard for Insulating, 3610
Insulating, 3610

TS-33 September 1974
Federal Wage System Job Grading Standard
For Insulating, 3610


Table of Contents

WORK COVERED ........................................................................................................................................ 2

TITLES .......................................................................................................................................................... 2

GRADE LEVELS .......................................................................................................................................... 2

HELPER AND INTERMEDIATE JOBS ........................................................................................................ 2

INSULATING WORKER, GRADE 8............................................................................................................. 3

INSULATOR, GRADE 10 ............................................................................................................................. 4

U.S. Office of Personnel Management
1 Insulating, 3610

TS-33 September 1974
WORK COVERED

This standard is used to grade nonsupervisory jobs that involve fabrication and installation of
insulating materials on tanks, boilers, turbines, pumps, pipes, valves, ducts, and other structures
to reduce heat loss or absorption, prevent moisture condensation, or reduce sound levels. This
work requires a knowledge of insulating materials and their insulating properties and the ability
to lay out, form, and install a variety of insulating materials on regular and irregular shaped
objects.

TITLES

Jobs graded by this standard at grades 10 and above are to be titled Insulator.

Jobs graded by this standard below grade 10 are to be titled Insulating Worker.

GRADE LEVELS

This standard does not describe all possible grades at which jobs might be established. If jobs
differ substantially from the skill, knowledge, or other work requirements described for the jobs
in the standard, they may warrant grading either above or below the grades of these jobs based
on the application of sound job grading methods. The grade levels described in this standard
recognize hazards, physical hardships, and working conditions that are a regular and recurring
part of the insulator occupation. This standard does not provide any additional grade credit for
exposure to hazards, physical hardships, and working conditions that may be of an "unusual
nature" as defined in the Operating Manual for the Federal Wage System.

HELPER AND INTERMEDIATE JOBS

Helper and intermediate insulator jobs are covered by U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Job
Grading Standards for Trades Helper
and
Intermediate jobs
. (Grade 10 in this standard is to be
used as the "journey level" in applying the Intermediate Jobs Grading Table.)

U.S. Office of Personnel Management
2 Insulating, 3610

TS-33 September 1974
INSULATING WORKER, GRADE 8

General:
Grade 8 insulating workers install a variety of insulating materials such as fiberglass,
magnesia, unibestos, and unicellular foam on the regular shaped surfaces of pipes, tanks, boilers,
ducts, and other structures which have predominantly straight runs or surfaces and regular
curves. They work under the close supervision of a higher graded worker of supervisor while
installing insulation to reduce heat loss or absorption, prevent moisture condensation, or reduce
sound levels.

The grade 8 workers use a variety of prefabricated insulating blocks, pads, sheets, or molded
forms, and some installations require the use of insulating materials in cement or plaster form for
trowel application. The work involves measuring, cutting, trimming, and fitting insulating
materials in accordance with detailed oral or written procedures and the use of such trade tools
and equipment as knives, rasps, scissors and palms to cut, form, and install the materials.

Skill and Knowledge
: The grade 8 workers must have the ability to measure the dimensions
of pipes, ducts, and other objects and cut, form, and install insulating materials on items with
flat, square, or cylindrical surfaces and regular curves. They must be able to fill cracks and
smooth rough spots with cement and trowel, and apply fiberglass cloth or other fabric to cover
the insulation, using cement, needle and twine or copper wire to complete the installation.

At this level the insulating workers must be able to apply a working knowledge of the general
purposes and properties of insulating plastics, fiberglasses, and other materials, including the
related handling techniques and the tools required to install them. They must also be familiar
with a variety of cleaning methods to prepare insulated objects for visual inspection.

Grade 8 work requires a knowledge of arithmetic to perform surface measurements with such
devices as rules and calipers, and good hand and eye coordination to perform such processes as
cutting, cementing, lacing, sewing, and trowel application. The grade 8 workers must also be
skilled in the use of such tools of the trade as electric knife cutters to prepare portable insulation
covers for regular shaped valves, fittings, and flanges; sewing and stapling machines for making
portable bags and canvas covers for cold surfaces; and saws, shears, knives, needles and
sailmaker's palms.

Responsibility
: Grade 8 insulating workers receive clear-cut work orders and instructions
from a supervisor or higher graded worker. They apply predetermined methods, materials and
installation techniques in accordance with clearly defined drawings, patters, or templates which
are provided in work orders and instructions. At this level the work may be spot-checked during
the progress of the assignment or work order, and a supervisor or higher graded worker is
available for advice on unusual problems and to check the completed work for adequacy,
appearance, and correct use of materials.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management
3 Insulating, 3610

TS-33 September 1974
Physical Effort
: The work requires moderate physical exertion and involves prolonged
standing, and occasional crawling, bending, stooping, and reaching. The insulating workers
must sometimes work in cramped and awkward positions and continuous movement of hands
and arms is required during fitting and installation of materials. The work also includes moving
up and down ladders and the insulating workers must frequently lift, carry, or otherwise handle
tools and materials weighing up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds).

Working Conditions
: The insulating workers usually perform assigned tasks inside well
lighted and ventilated locations or outside under good weather conditions. They may
occasionally be exposed to extreme heat or cold while working in enclosed machinery locations,
and may be required to install insulation in noisy, damp, or dirty areas. They frequently work
from ladders, stagings, or elevated platforms. The insulating workers are also subject to cuts,
abrasions, and burns while using trade tools and equipment. They may occasionally be exposed
to the possibility of bruises or broken bones. The installation and removal of insulating materials
frequently creates airborne dust particles that require the wearing of respiratory safety devices or
other protective apparel which may be restrictive and uncomfortable.

INSULATOR, GRADE 10

General
: As compared to the standard application of preformed insulating materials on objects
with regular surfaces and curves described at the grade 8 level, the insulators at this grade level
develop patterns and lay out, cut, form, join, assemble, and install all types of insulating
materials on such items and systems as turbines, air ducts, heaters, generators, pumps,
evaporators, refrigeration units, boilers, and a variety of other conventional or one-of-a-kind
enclosures that have straight and curved surfaces, and irregular curves and planes.

The items covered are more difficult to plan and lay out than the objects described at the grade 8
level because of the more numerous and irregular slopes, angles, bends, and curves. The
insulating materials are more difficult to cut, form, and install than the types mentioned at the
gr