What a gas fitter does
Gas fitters, known in Ontario as gas technicians, install, service and repair natural gas and propane piping and appliances. Depending on their certification level, that includes furnaces, boilers, water heaters, rooftop units, commercial kitchen equipment and industrial burners. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority, known as TSSA, certifies gas technicians in Ontario, with G3, G2 and G1 levels covering progressively broader work.
For heating and gas contractors, a fitter's certification level decides which jobs they can take on and whether they can work alone. Finch confirms each candidate's TSSA certificate and level, then looks at the appliances and systems they have actually worked on. For service roles, we also screen for troubleshooting, customer communication and a valid driver's licence, since these technicians are often the face of your company.
Typical responsibilities
- Installing gas piping, venting and appliances to code
- Servicing and repairing furnaces, boilers, water heaters and other equipment
- Performing combustion analysis and safety checks
- Diagnosing ignition, venting and control problems
- Testing piping for leaks and completing required documentation
- Explaining work and safety concerns to customers
Qualifications and credentials
- TSSA gas technician certification at the level the role requires: G3, G2 or G1
- Experience with residential, commercial or industrial appliances that match your work
- Working knowledge of CSA B149.1, the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code
- A valid driver's licence for service and installation routes
- A 313A certificate or refrigerant handling certification is an asset for combined HVAC roles
Who hires a gas fitter
- HVAC and heating contractors
- Plumbing and mechanical contractors
- Gas utility service contractors
- Commercial kitchen equipment companies
- Property management companies
Where we recruit gas fitter candidates
We fill gas fitter roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- TSSA certificate level and status
- Appliances and systems the candidate has installed or serviced
- Troubleshooting approach for ignition and venting problems
- Customer service skills and driver's licence for service roles
- References from heating or mechanical contractors
Interview questions to ask
- Walk me through your steps on a no-heat call for a high-efficiency furnace.
- How do you test for and document leaks on a new gas piping installation?
- What would you do if you found an unsafe appliance in a customer's home?