Boiler Technician



Location:    Littleton Regional Hospital, Littleton


Generic Description:
Most large office buildings, malls, warehouses, and other commercial facilities have extensive heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems that keep them comfortable all year long.  Industrial plants often have additional facilities to provide electrical power, steam, or other services.  Stationary engineers and boiler operators control and maintain these systems, which include boilers, chillers, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, diesel engines, turbines, generators, pumps, condensers, and compressors.  The equipment that stationary engineers and boiler operators control is similar to equipment operated by locomotive or marine engineers, except that it is used to generate heat or electricity rather than to move a train or ship.
Stationary engineers and boiler operators start up, regulate, repair, and shut down equipment.  They ensure that the equipment operates safely, economically, and within established limits by monitoring meters, gauges, and computerized controls.  When necessary, they control equipment manually and make adjustments using hand and power tools.  They watch and listen to machinery and routinely check safety devices, record data in logs, and identify any potential problems.
Routine maintenance is a regular part of the work of stationary engineers and boiler operators.  Engineers use tools to perform repairs ranging from a complete overhaul to replacing defective valves, gaskets, or bearings.  They lubricate moving parts, replace filters, and remove soot and corrosion that can reduce the boiler's operating efficiency.  They also test the water in the boiler and add chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.


Tasks Performed on Site:
Work with the Boiler Technician to gain understanding of this position’s role in maintaining and repairing stationary steam boilers and related equipment. Students selecting this internship will work inside and may be subject to extreme heat, noise and vibrations. Areas of focus include but may not be limited to:
  • Inspecting and repairing boilers with reference to manuals and specifications
  • Performing work needed for proper service of boilers
  • Performing chemical tests as required to treat boilers
  • Understanding regulations relating to boilers and boiler room operations
  • Cleaning the boiler room
  • General maintenance and testing of the auxiliary generator equipment


Expected Outcomes:
Upon completion of this internship, students will have a basic understanding of:
o   Boiler Fittings - Safety Valves, Testing Safety, Valves, Compound Gauge, Pressure Gauge, Vacuum gauge, Pig Tails Siphon, U-Tube siphon, Water Column, Try Cocks, Operation Gauge Glass Flat and Tubular, Water Column Blow Down Valves, Gauge Glass Blow Down Valves, Bottom Blowdown Valves, Boiler Vents.
o   Boiler Water Chemistry - Controlling High Water, Removal Sludge and Sediment, Controlling Chemicals, Dumping The Boiler, Surface Blowdown, Controlling Chemicals, Foaming, Priming, Carryover Boiler Water Treatment, Boiler Water Contamination.
o   Boiler Feed-water Treatment - Preventing Scale, Oxygen in Boiler , Water, Feeding Chemicals, Priming and carryover
o   Instrumentation - Pressure Control Devices, Mercury Tube Pressure Control, Mercury Pressure Control, Modulating Pressure Control, Modulating Pressure Control Operation
o   Draft Systems - Natural Draft, Mechanical Draft, Forced Draft, Induced Draft, Balanced Draft, Measuring Draft, Controlling Draft.
o   Feed-water Systems - Feed-water Valves, Feed-water Valve Operation City Water Makeup, Make Up Systems, Automatic makeup System. Feed-water Regulator.
o   Standard Boiler Operation Practices - Taking Over A Shift, Boiler Startup Boiler Shut Down, Blowing Down A Boiler, Low Water Conditions, Furnace Explosions, Preparing for a Boiler Inspection, Boiler Lay-up, Broken Gauge Glass Operation, Cleaning The Gauge Glass, Correcting a Steam-bound Pump, Hydrostatic Test, Maintaining a Boiler Room Log
o   Dangerous conditions - When a boiler should not be operated. Causes of boilers being overheated or exploded.
o   Plant Math - Using plant Math to find: Total Force, Area of a Circle, Pressure, and Heating Surface
o   Boiler Room Safety - Preventing Boiler Room Accidents, Preventing Boiler Room Fires General Boiler Room Safety Rules.

For more information on a career as a boiler technician, click on the following links: http://www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-8021.00