Stationary engineer
Encyclopedia
A stationary engineer, also called operating engineer or power engineer, is a tradesman
who operates heavy machinery and equipment that provide heat, light, climate control and power. Stationary engineer are trained in many areas, including mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, metallurgical, computer, and a wide range of safety skills. They typically work in factories
, offices, hospital
s, warehouse
s, power generation plants, industrial facilities, and residential and commercial buildings.
Stationary engineers are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of a wide range of equipment, including pumps, gas compressors, generators, motors, boilers, gas turbine
s, steam turbines, air conditioning systems, heat exchangers and refrigeration equipment, heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) that may be directly (duct burners) or indirectly fired (gas turbine exhaust collectors), hot water generators, steam turbine
s, and refrigeration
machinery in addition to its associated auxiliary equipment (air compressor
s, natural gas compressors
, electrical switchgear
, pump
s, etc). Power electricians construct, maintain and commission electrical apparatus used in electrical power generation, transmission, distribution and converter systems. They install, maintain and repair power generators, power converters, power transformers, circuit breakers, distribution apparatus, and metering and associated auxiliary equipment.
Stationary engineers may hold various titles, such as boiler operator, power plant operator, or watch engineer. In addition, some may have various designations, such as first class, second class and third class. In the United States
, stationary engineers must be license
d in several cities and states
. The New York City Department of Buildings
requires a Stationary Engineer's License to practice in the City of New York
; to obtain the license one must pass a written and practical exam and have at least five years' experience working directly under a licensed stationary engineer, or three years if in possession of a Bachelor of Science
degree in mechanical engineering
. Holders of the Stationary Engineer's License primarily work in large power generation facilities, such as cogeneration
power plants, peaking units, and large central heating
and refrigeration plants (CHRPs).
The stationary engineering trade
emerged during the Industrial Revolution
. The group includes railroad engineer
s and marine engineers. Famous people who began their working lives in this trade include George Stephenson
and Henry Ford
. The early steam engine
s developed by Thomas Savery
and Thomas Newcomen
which drew water from mines and the industrial steam engines perfected by James Watt
and others employed the ancestors of today's engineers. Railroad engineers operated early steam locomotive
s and continue to operate trains today. The traditions and classification of the engineer were developed to the greatest extent by marine engineers who worked in the engine rooms of the great ocean liner
s in the 19th and 20th century. The use of the title "engineer" by stationary engineers has been challenged in court by university
-educated professional engineer
s; however, the stationary engineers have prevailed to date. The job of today's engineer has been greatly changed by computers and automation as well as the replacement of steam engines on ships and trains. Workers have adapted to the challenges of the changing job market.
Many stationary engineers are becoming more involved with the technical aspect of the job as it has shifted toward a dependence on building automation. Building and central plant operations are now relying heavily on direct digital controls; and as such the engineer is required to be much more computer literate to work with the BAS (Building Automation System).
Stationary engineers may also choose to be unionized; many larger cities are very reliant on the services of organized employees. Non-union buildings may blend their engineers with general maintenance staff, and as such may be required to also provide general building services such as cleaning or other non-skilled duties. There are two main types of workers sharing the title and trade union affiliation (International Union of Operating Engineers
). The first group are workers who operate steam plants
or boiler
s. These are generally called stationary engineers but are known by other titles such as boiler operators, thermal technicians and power engineers. The second group is a larger class who drive and operate cranes
and engineering vehicle
s such as bulldozer
s and grader
s used in construction
and engineering
projects.
Tradesman
This article is about the skilled manual worker meaning of the term; for other uses see Tradesperson .A tradesman is a skilled manual worker in a particular trade or craft. Economically and socially, a tradesman's status is considered between a laborer and a professional, with a high degree of both...
who operates heavy machinery and equipment that provide heat, light, climate control and power. Stationary engineer are trained in many areas, including mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, metallurgical, computer, and a wide range of safety skills. They typically work in factories
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
, offices, hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s, warehouse
Warehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
s, power generation plants, industrial facilities, and residential and commercial buildings.
Stationary engineers are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of a wide range of equipment, including pumps, gas compressors, generators, motors, boilers, gas turbine
Gas turbine
A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of internal combustion engine. It has an upstream rotating compressor coupled to a downstream turbine, and a combustion chamber in-between....
s, steam turbines, air conditioning systems, heat exchangers and refrigeration equipment, heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) that may be directly (duct burners) or indirectly fired (gas turbine exhaust collectors), hot water generators, steam turbine
Steam turbine
A steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts it into rotary motion. Its modern manifestation was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884....
s, and refrigeration
Refrigeration
Refrigeration is a process in which work is done to move heat from one location to another. This work is traditionally done by mechanical work, but can also be done by magnetism, laser or other means...
machinery in addition to its associated auxiliary equipment (air compressor
Air compressor
An air compressor is a device that converts power into kinetic energy by compressing and pressurizing air, which, on command, can be released in quick bursts...
s, natural gas compressors
Gas compressor
A gas compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume.Compressors are similar to pumps: both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a pipe. As gases are compressible, the compressor also reduces the volume of a gas...
, electrical switchgear
Switchgear
The term switchgear, used in association with the electric power system, or grid, refers to the combination of electrical disconnects, fuses and/or circuit breakers used to isolate electrical equipment. Switchgear is used both to de-energize equipment to allow work to be done and to clear faults...
, pump
Pump
A pump is a device used to move fluids, such as liquids, gases or slurries.A pump displaces a volume by physical or mechanical action. Pumps fall into three major groups: direct lift, displacement, and gravity pumps...
s, etc). Power electricians construct, maintain and commission electrical apparatus used in electrical power generation, transmission, distribution and converter systems. They install, maintain and repair power generators, power converters, power transformers, circuit breakers, distribution apparatus, and metering and associated auxiliary equipment.
Stationary engineers may hold various titles, such as boiler operator, power plant operator, or watch engineer. In addition, some may have various designations, such as first class, second class and third class. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, stationary engineers must be license
License
The verb license or grant licence means to give permission. The noun license or licence refers to that permission as well as to the document recording that permission.A license may be granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement...
d in several cities and states
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
. The New York City Department of Buildings
New York City Department of Buildings
The New York City Department of Buildings is the branch of municipal government in New York City that enforces the City's building codes and zoning regulations, issues building permits, and inspects new and existing buildings.-History:...
requires a Stationary Engineer's License to practice in the City of New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
; to obtain the license one must pass a written and practical exam and have at least five years' experience working directly under a licensed stationary engineer, or three years if in possession of a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
. Holders of the Stationary Engineer's License primarily work in large power generation facilities, such as cogeneration
Cogeneration
Cogeneration is the use of a heat engine or a power station to simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat....
power plants, peaking units, and large central heating
Central heating
A central heating system provides warmth to the whole interior of a building from one point to multiple rooms. When combined with other systems in order to control the building climate, the whole system may be a HVAC system.Central heating differs from local heating in that the heat generation...
and refrigeration plants (CHRPs).
The stationary engineering trade
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
emerged during the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
. The group includes railroad engineer
Railroad engineer
A railroad engineer, locomotive engineer, train operator, train driver or engine driver is a person who drives a train on a railroad...
s and marine engineers. Famous people who began their working lives in this trade include George Stephenson
George Stephenson
George Stephenson was an English civil engineer and mechanical engineer who built the first public railway line in the world to use steam locomotives...
and Henry Ford
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
. The early steam engine
Steam engine
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid.Steam engines are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separate from the combustion products. Non-combustion heat sources such as solar power, nuclear power or geothermal energy may be...
s developed by Thomas Savery
Thomas Savery
Thomas Savery was an English inventor, born at Shilstone, a manor house near Modbury, Devon, England.-Career:Savery became a military engineer, rising to the rank of Captain by 1702, and spent his free time performing experiments in mechanics...
and Thomas Newcomen
Thomas Newcomen
Thomas Newcomen was an ironmonger by trade and a Baptist lay preacher by calling. He was born in Dartmouth, Devon, England, near a part of the country noted for its tin mines. Flooding was a major problem, limiting the depth at which the mineral could be mined...
which drew water from mines and the industrial steam engines perfected by James Watt
James Watt
James Watt, FRS, FRSE was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the Newcomen steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution in both his native Great Britain and the rest of the world.While working as an instrument maker at the...
and others employed the ancestors of today's engineers. Railroad engineers operated early steam locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
s and continue to operate trains today. The traditions and classification of the engineer were developed to the greatest extent by marine engineers who worked in the engine rooms of the great ocean liner
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
s in the 19th and 20th century. The use of the title "engineer" by stationary engineers has been challenged in court by university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
-educated professional engineer
Professional Engineer
Regulation of the engineering profession is established by various jurisdictions of the world to protect the safety, well-being and other interests of the general public, and to define the licensure process through which an engineer becomes authorized to provide professional services to the...
s; however, the stationary engineers have prevailed to date. The job of today's engineer has been greatly changed by computers and automation as well as the replacement of steam engines on ships and trains. Workers have adapted to the challenges of the changing job market.
Many stationary engineers are becoming more involved with the technical aspect of the job as it has shifted toward a dependence on building automation. Building and central plant operations are now relying heavily on direct digital controls; and as such the engineer is required to be much more computer literate to work with the BAS (Building Automation System).
Stationary engineers may also choose to be unionized; many larger cities are very reliant on the services of organized employees. Non-union buildings may blend their engineers with general maintenance staff, and as such may be required to also provide general building services such as cleaning or other non-skilled duties. There are two main types of workers sharing the title and trade union affiliation (International Union of Operating Engineers
International Union of Operating Engineers
The International Union of Operating Engineers is a trade union within the AFL-CIO representing primarily construction workers who work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors, and stationary engineers who maintain heating and other systems in buildings and industrial complexes, in the...
). The first group are workers who operate steam plants
Thermal power station
A thermal power station is a power plant in which the prime mover is steam driven. Water is heated, turns into steam and spins a steam turbine which drives an electrical generator. After it passes through the turbine, the steam is condensed in a condenser and recycled to where it was heated; this...
or boiler
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
s. These are generally called stationary engineers but are known by other titles such as boiler operators, thermal technicians and power engineers. The second group is a larger class who drive and operate cranes
Crane (machine)
A crane is a type of machine, generally equipped with a hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves, that can be used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally. It uses one or more simple machines to create mechanical advantage and thus move loads beyond the normal capability of...
and engineering vehicle
Engineering vehicle
Heavy equipment refers to heavy-duty vehicles, specially designed for executing construction tasks, most frequently ones involving earthwork operations. They are also known as, construction equipment, construction plant, earth movers, engineering vehicles, or simply equipment...
s such as bulldozer
Bulldozer
A bulldozer is a crawler equipped with a substantial metal plate used to push large quantities of soil, sand, rubble, etc., during construction work and typically equipped at the rear with a claw-like device to loosen densely-compacted materials.Bulldozers can be found on a wide range of sites,...
s and grader
Grader
A grader, also commonly referred to as a road grader, a blade, a maintainer, or a motor grader, is a construction machine with a long blade used to create a flat surface. Typical models have three axles, with the engine and cab situated above the rear axles at one end of the vehicle and a third...
s used in construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
and engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
projects.