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Career Details : Boiler Operators and Tenders, Low Pressure

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Description

Operate or tend low-pressure stationary steam boilers and auxiliary steam equipment, such as pumps, compressors and air conditioning equipment, to supply steam heat for office buildings, apartment houses, or industrial establishments; to maintain steam at specified pressure aboard marine vessels; or to generate and supply compressed air for operation of pneumatic tools, hoists, and air lances.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Tasks

  • Shovels coal or coke into firebox to feed fuel, using hand tools.
  • Records test results on specified form and gives to worker or supervisor.
  • Installs burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
  • Cleans and maintains heating and steam boilers and equipment, using hand tools.
  • Ignites fuel in burner using torch or flame.
  • Tends boilers and equipment to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or operation of pneumatic tools.
  • Moves controls and observes gauges to regulate heat and steam.
  • Obtains samples from designated location on boiler and carries samples to testing laboratory.
  • Tests sample quality to ensure sample meets specifications, using testing devices.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Hazardous Equipment
    • Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
    • Standing
    • Consequence of Error
    • Degree of Automation
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