Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment, such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers
Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system and/or industrial processes.
Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions, and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.
Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, and/or fabrication of new parts.
Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation, in order to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
Operate mechanical hoppers, and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, compressors and air-conditioning equipment, in order to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing; and take any necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures, or assist in their development.
Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
Investigate and report on accidents.
Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, and/or air-conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
Switch from automatic controls to manual controls, and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically, in order to allow for safe inspection and repair work.