- Most large office buildings, malls, warehouses, and other commercial facilities have extensive heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems that keep them comfortable all year long.
- Industrial plants often have additional facilities to provide electrical power, steam, or other services.
- Stationary engineers and boiler operators control and maintain these systems, which include boilers, chillers, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, diesel engines, turbines, generators, pumps, condensers, and compressors.
- The equipment that stationary engineers and boiler operators control is similar to equipment operated by locomotive or marine engineers, except that it is used to generate heat or electricity rather than to move a train or ship.
- Stationary engineers and boiler operators start up, regulate, repair, and shut down equipment.
- They ensure that the equipment operates safely, economically, and within established limits by monitoring meters, gauges, and computerized controls.
- When necessary, they control equipment manually and make adjustments using hand and power tools.
- They watch and listen to machinery and routinely check safety devices, record data in logs, and identify any potential problems.
- Routine maintenance is a regular part of the work of stationary engineers and boiler operators.
- Engineers use tools to perform repairs ranging from a complete overhaul to replacing defective valves, gaskets, or bearings.
- They lubricate moving parts, replace filters, and remove soot and corrosion that can reduce the boiler's operating efficiency.
- They also test the water in the boiler and add chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
- In most facilities, stationary engineers are responsible for the maintenance and balancing of air systems, as well as hydronic systems that heat or cool buildings by circulating fluid (such as water or water vapour) in a closed system of pipes.
- They may check the air quality of the ventilation system and make adjustments to keep the operation of the boiler within mandated guidelines.
- Servicing, troubleshooting, repairing, and monitoring modern systems all require the use of sophisticated electrical and electronic test equipment.
- In a large building or industrial plant, a senior stationary engineer may be in charge of all mechanical systems in the building and may supervise a team of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, and air-conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
- In small buildings, there may be only one stationary engineer who operates and maintains all of the systems.
- Applicants may face competition for jobs. Employment opportunities will be best for those who have apprenticeship training and are licensed in their jurisdictions.
- Continuing commercial and industrial development will increase the amount of equipment to be operated and maintained.
- Although automated systems and computerized controls are making newly installed equipment more efficient, experienced workers will increasingly be needed to maintain and repair these complex systems.
- While employment of stationary engineers and boiler operators is spread across all industries, some industries will experience more growth than others.
- The largest employment growth will occur in industries with the need for precise temperature control, such as hospitals.
- People interested in working as stationary engineers and boiler operators should expect to face competition for these relatively high-paying positions.
- The tendency of experienced workers to stay in a job for decades can make it difficult for entry-level workers to find a job.
- Workers who have completed a training course or apprenticeship will have the best prospects.
Workers who monitor and operate stationary machinery include Chemical plant and system operators; Gas plant operators; Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers; Power plant operators, distributers, and dispatchers; Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators.
Other workers who maintain the equipment and machinery in a building or plant are Industrial machinery mechanics and millwrights; Maintenance and repair workers.
Many stationary engineers and boiler operators begin their careers in mechanic or helper positions and are trained on the job by more experienced engineers. Others begin by entering formal apprenticeships or training programs.
This career information is drawn from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.