Boiler Operation Engineering
Kayleigh Telega
Large buildings often have heating and ventilation systems powered by the steam generated inside a boiler. A boiler operation engineer (BOE) is responsible for monitoring these boilers, logging valve readings, investigating issues, and cleaning and maintaining the equipment. A boiler certificate or boiler license allows professionals to work in this position without supervision, but the exact requirements vary by city or state.
Boiler operators face potentially dangerous situations every day. Proper licensure ensures that boiler operation engineers have received the appropriate training and experience to keep themselves and others safe. Although state and local governments set their own parameters for boiler operation engineer certificates, many establish candidate competency through a combination of a written exam, a practical exam, and experience and/or education requirements.
Because there are no federal guidelines governing boiler operator engineer licenses or certificates, you'll need to contact the licensing office in your city or state government. Your employer should be able to offer guidance regarding the correct certification procedure in your area.
Expect to work in the field for at least two years before qualifying to take the appropriate certificate exam. Formal education, such as an engineering degree or an apprenticeship, may reduce the prerequisite for on-the-job experience.
After you verify that you qualify to take the exam, submit an application to the proper agency along with all requested documents and fees. If your application is approved, you'll be told when and where to take the exam. After passing the exam, you will be issued a boiler operation engineer's certificate or license, which must be renewed each year by paying a fee.
The educational prerequisites for a boiler operation engineer certificate vary by location. For example, in New York City, you need to meet at least one of eight education or experience scenarios, such as five years of on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed BOE, in order to qualify to take the city's exam. Houston's criteria is distilled into only three education and/or experience combinations. Some cities like Sioux City, Iowa, offer several certification levels that require increasing hours of documented on-the-job experience, according to Western Iowa Tech Community College.
However, not every city or state has the same rigorous prerequisites for those wanting to take a boiler operator certification exam. Michigan has relatively mild experience requirements for its initial boiler operator licenses. Other cities, like Milwaukee, leave the steam boiler training and certification up to third-party organizations like the National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIULPE) or the American Society of Power Engineers (ASOPE). You must meet their minimum qualification standards in order to take the appropriate exams.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) claims stationary engineers and boiler operators need only a high school diploma in order to enter the field. As an entry-level worker in this industry, you will receive training and direct supervision from a certified boiler operation engineer, which will give you the opportunity to accrue enough hours or years of experience to take the BOE exam. Numerous boiler training courses also exist, which can help you land a job as a boiler operator assistant, but don't take the place of the experience requirements for certification.
The BLS's Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates that positions for stationary engineers and boiler operators will grow by only 2 percent per year between now and 2029, which is slower than the national average job growth rate of 4 percent. In raw numbers, this translates to the current 34,400 positions increasing to 35,100 positions next year.
However, jobs for power engineers in general are expected to decline by 5 percent by 2029 as well. Despite the slow industry trend, it's important to keep in mind that new boiler operation engineers are always needed to take the place of retiring individuals.
In addition, existing boilers will need to be maintained for the foreseeable future, despite advances in technology that might threaten to replace existing systems over time. After all, according to Science Direct, industrial boilers use fossil fuels to heat the water, and fossil fuel consumption has been linked to pollution and climate change. Boiler operation engineers should consider quickly adapting to new technology by taking suitable continuing education courses.
Stationary engineers, boiler operators and power engineers start up, regulate and shut down equipment. They ensure that it operates safely, economically and within established limits by monitoring meters, gauges and computerized controls. They manually control equipment and when necessary, make adjustments. They also record relevant events and facts concerning operation and maintenance in an equipment log.
On steam boilers they observe, control and record steam pressure, temperature, water level and chemistry, power output, fuel consumption and emissions. They watch and listen to machinery and routinely check safety devices, identifying and correcting any problems that develop.
I would like to express my gratitude towards you for being extremely helpful during the initial days of my 2nd Class Boiler Proficiency Examination in 1994. This was due to your efforts and hard work for me, which resulted in me passing the examination with a Satisfactory Score. The book which you published during those days guided me in many more ways. I hope that many more aspirants would also be lucky enough to be guided & taught by you. It is always grateful for what you have done.
It is my pleasure to introduce my carrier Builder Mr. Dinesh Jadhav sir (Former GM, Universal Starch Chemical Allied Ltd., Monachal ) as coach, trainer & mentor for BOE, BEE & carrier consultation in power, project & process Industries. They have vast experience in handling projects related to process Industries from concept to commissioning.
I have worked under Jadhav sir at Universal Starch for the New Green Field project of Shivangon Food & Pharma. He has a great ability to handle multi-core projects with 1000+ Subordinates working under him. His leadership qualities are such that, he develops his subordinates to handle responsibility independently. He shares his work experience & knowledge with people to grow higher & higher. Under his guidance, many engineers at Universal Starch have passed BOE & many taking guidance for the future. by shaping my career, he has insisted me to take admitted to M-tech in project management at COEP, Pune.
Mr. Jadhav sir has a very strong portfolio of technical persons & many persons, follow him. I am also one person who follows his footprints. I wish him a very successful life in this social work of coaching new students of BOE, BEE & career consultation. He is contributing toward a strong nation-build.
I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Dinesh Jadhav sir, for your Guidelines in my whole career you are my first Professional guide. I worked under him as a graduate engineer trainee (GET) in 2014. Initially, I had no clear idea about myself and my career. Because I am a very common and average student in my educational life passed BE (mechanical) in Second class.
This is only possible due to his efforts and guidelines. I passed the BOE exam in 2017 held by the Maharashtra board with a good score on the first attempt. Your words have always given me new lessons to they always act like master keys in my professional life.
I contacted him just 40 days before my BOE exam and with his valuable guidance, I cleared the Central Boiler Board BOE examination in the first attempt with 78% marks. Not a single question in the exam is beyond our preparation sir guided me just for 30 as a crash course and the result was amazing.
I learned team building and how to handle responsibilities independently. Under his guidance, many engineers like me cleared the BOE and BEE examinations.
Thank you sir for guiding me and showing me the right path.
It gives me immense pleasure to introduce my nearest and dearest colleague Shri. D.L. Jadhav, as excellent trainer and guide for B.O.E.AND BEE ENERGY AUDITOR. This is because of his long and outstanding experience in the boiler and cogen industry. His depth of knowledge and explaining power are admirable and touching to the heart.
He passed B.E.MECHANICAL in 1978 from COEP Pune. Thereafter he passed the first-class boiler proficiency from the Maharashtra boiler examination board and also the Energy auditor exam from BEE. He was the paper mill Manager at Kopargaon and Pravaranagar. He had achieved the highest production capacity, energy saving, water saving, and cost-effectiveness in those mills. Highest efficient boiler operation in the starch mill at Dondaicha, Dhule.
He is well conversant with boiler efficiency calculation, material selection, and efficient boiler accessories. He is well conversant with workforce planning and training to them. He is a member of the Maharashtra Boiler examination board for years. He has many technical followers in the industry. I am one of them. I wish him every success in this social work of coaching to students of B.O.E.AND BEE ENERGY AUDITOR.
A stationary engineer license is also required before any individual takes charge of, manages, or operates a steam plant within the City of Chicago. A steam plant is a system that is connected to a regulated engine or boiler and used to generate or distribute steam or hot water for space heating or industrial processes.
To obtain a stationary engineer license, individuals must pass a written examination demonstrating their knowledge of the construction, management, and operation of steam engines and steam and hot water boilers.
Continental Testing Services processes stationary engineer license applications and administers written examinations on behalf of the Department of Buildings and can provide assistance after you begin an application on the web portal.
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