What Do Stationary Engineers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Stationary Engineers 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. They also 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.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
• Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
• Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
• Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
• Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.

We asked Stationary Engineers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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77% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 58% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Stationary Engineers weigh, measure, and record fuel used. They operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.

A typical day for a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator will also include:

• Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
• Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
• Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
• Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
• Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.

We asked some Stationary Engineers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	66% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	62% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	70% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	3% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	63% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Stationary Engineers also test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters. They may also provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Stationary Engineers Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools. They might also Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.

In addition, they Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.

To some Stationary Engineers, it is also their responsibility to Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/production/stationary-engineers-and-boiler-operators.htm

http://www.iuoe.org/

http://www.powerengineers.com/