-
Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
-
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.
-
Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
-
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.
-
Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
-
Investigate and report on accidents.
-
Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
-
Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
-
Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
-
Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
-
Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
-
Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
-
Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
-
Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
-
Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
-
Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
-
Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
-
Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
-
Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
-
Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
-
Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.