According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| 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. | 88% |
| 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. | 88% |
| Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels. | 87% |
| Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems. | 86% |
| Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly. | 86% |
| Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps. | 85% |
| Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work. | 85% |
| Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits. | 85% |
| Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics. | 84% |
| 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. | 83% |
| Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work. | 83% |
| Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts. | 82% |
| Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes. | 82% |
| Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools. | 81% |
| Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development. | 80% |
| Investigate and report on accidents. | 79% |
| Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters. | 78% |
| Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems. | 77% |
| Weigh, measure, and record fuel used. | 77% |
| Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools. | 76% |
| Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations. | 76% |
| Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair. | 75% |
| Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes. | 73% |
| Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities. | 70% |
| Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames. | 68% |
