Will “Steam Boiler Fireman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Steam Boiler Fireman” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #529 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

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.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-8021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 61,410.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 29.00
Currently, there are 33,720 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Steam Boiler Fireman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

Personal computers
Metal cutting dies
Safety glasses
Infrared guns
Pressure gauges
Pneumatic pumps
Two way radios
Straight screwdrivers
Pipe cutters
Dial calipers
Thermocouples
Dropping pipettes
Hydraulic boom trucks
Rotary hammers
Shielded arc welding tools
Digital multimeters
Amp meters
Grease guns
Drill presses
Filter masks
Pressure transmitters
Metal cutting taps
Opacity meters
Claw hammers
Grapple cranes
Industrial platform scales
Safety gloves
Bench lathes
Protective ear plugs
Hand pipe threaders
Scaffolding
Dial indicators
Gas brazing equipment
Electronic temperature sensors
Oxyacetylene welding equipment
Power saws
pH indicators
Water column gauges
Bourdon tubes
Socket wrench sets
Graduated glass cylinders
Voltmeters
Manifold test gauges
Precision levels
Locking pliers
Turbidimeters
Ohmmeters
Ladders
Colorimeters
Hydraulic press frames
Programmable logic controllers PLC
Hydrometers
Micrometers
Pipe wrenches
Power meters
Phillips head screwdrivers
Conductivity meters
Combustion analyzers
Steam cleaning equipment
Forklifts
Self-contained breathing apparatus
Power drills
Ratchets
Equipment cleaning scrapers
Adjustable wrenches
Sandblasters
Layout squares
Electric drain augers
Tapping machines
Oil guns
Sling psychrometers
Descalers
Electronic remote reading thermometers

Word processing software
Statistical software
Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Spreadsheet software
Data entry software
Graphics software
Web browser software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Word
Building management system software
Email software
Database software