What does this occupation involve?
The work focuses on round or rectangular ductwork, bends, grilles and related fittings. The route must fit around other services and building elements, so coordination with other trades is essential. Installing ductwork is a specialist occupation. Electrical connections, system controls and commissioning may be handled by other technicians rather than by the duct fitter.
Ductwork must fit, seal and remain accessible
A duct fitter builds a ventilation route from straight sections, bends, transitions and connections. Round spiral duct and rectangular duct use different joint arrangements and installation details. Drawings, dimensions and available space need comparing before parts are fixed. Supports, seals and a clean interior influence quality; sections that fit together are not automatically airtight. Dampers and other components must follow their specifications and remain accessible for checks. Conflicts with other services need coordination. Independently changing a route can affect pressure losses, maintenance access and the performance of the ventilation system.
What will you do?
- Read ductwork drawings and set out the route.
- Prepare fittings, supports and fixings.
- Install and connect ducts and accessory pieces.
- Fit grilles and other components within the agreed scope.
- Check connections, supports and access for maintenance.
Where will you work?
You work in new buildings, refurbishment projects and commercial premises, sometimes above ceilings or from a work platform. Available space and other contractors' schedules influence the sequence of installation.
What does a working day look like?
You begin by checking which areas are ready. After setting out the route, you install supports and build up the duct run. Any unexpected obstruction is discussed before the route is changed.
Which skills and experience help?
Reading drawings, measuring accurately and practical fitting skills are useful. Describe experience with circular ducts, rectangular systems or large commercial projects, as well as the tools and access equipment you know.
How can you develop?
You can progress to more complex duct routes, team supervision or further training in ventilation maintenance and wider building services.
Your practical experience
Describe an installed duct run, its material, round or rectangular form and joint types. Explain how you checked levels, support positions and connections to existing work. Experience with fire dampers, leakage testing or handover records deserves separate detail, including the instructions and inspections within your responsibility.
Practical questions about the trade
How does installing round duct differ from installing rectangular ductwork?
Shape and size affect joints, fittings, supports and installation space. A circular push-fit system with a seal needs different attention from a rectangular flanged connection. The installed system determines the assembly instruction. Check components and seals before closing the joint; a method suitable for one duct system is not automatically appropriate for another material or profile.
How does a duct fitter help achieve the required airtightness?
Airtightness depends on compatible sections, undamaged seals and correctly assembled connections, including branches and equipment interfaces. Visual inspection helps identify assembly errors but cannot itself prove a specified leakage performance. Where testing is required, the test section and results follow the project's procedure. Adding sealant indiscriminately does not replace proper installation of the particular duct system.
Why must duct installers check maintenance access and clashes with other services?
The route must allow the required inspection and operation of components. A damper or access point made unreachable during installation creates future maintenance problems. Compare the drawing with the actual site and report clashes with pipes or structural elements. Route changes and specialist components need coordination so that convenient installation does not compromise system function or later access.
More about this occupation
Occupational, training and technical sources relevant to this page.
- SBB / KiesMBO — Werktuigkundige installaties
- LUKA — Kwaliteitshandboek 2026
- LUKA — Kwaliteitshandboek: metalen luchtkanalen
- Montaż instalacji wentylacji mechanicznej - Instalacja wentylacyjna - zpe.gov.pl
- CYPE — Conduta de ventilação de secção retangular: montagem e ensaios
- TROX — EKA2-EU: manual de montagem e utilização
- Building services engineering ductwork installer / Skills England
- Skills England — Building services engineering ductwork installer assessment plan
