Only licensed technicians are allowed to maintain equipment that uses high-pressure steam to provide heat or power in Canada. These people are known as power engineers, and they are classified according to their level of expertise. Engineers are classified in five levels of difficulty, from fifth to first, with the latter requiring the most education and training. In general, job posting requirements are determined the size and output of the machinery, with larger plants necessitating higher classifications. Boiler maintenance and repair are common fourth-class power engineer jobs in places like hospitals, schools, and small manufacturing plants.
The technician’s responsibilities are frequently influenced the job setting. Small facilities are required law to have a power engineer for their equipment, but these responsibilities may only take a few hours per day. Other responsibilities may be added to the job description to compensate. In a school setting, for example, fourth-class power engineer jobs might combine boiler maintenance with general maintenance duties. In a manufacturing setting, an engineer might be asked to perform security checks as part of his or her daily duties.
Additional certification may be required for certain fourth-class power engineer jobs. In places where the boiler system is primarily used for heating, an additional cooling system certification called a refrigeration ticket is common. When working with hybrid heating systems or power plants, additional certificates, such as a gas ticket, may be required.
There are certain requirements that are common in most fourth-class power engineer jobs, regardless of the job setting. Even minor variations in the readings from instruments recording the temperature and pressure within a boiler could be an early indicator of a dangerous malfunction, so meticulous attention to detail is essential. As a result, the ability to keep track of and organize these readings is required not only for pattern analysis but also to comply with government regulations. Furthermore, because many engineers work unsupervised, the ability to perform job functions and make decisions on their own is advantageous.
Technically, in some parts of Canada, power engineer certification can be obtained simply passing a test. However, most jobs for fourth-class power engineers require completion of a power engineering course. These programs typically last nine to 18 months, with the longer programs including refrigeration ticketing information. By obtaining certification from their local government, power engineers can work within their own provinces. The Standardization of Power Engineer Examinations Committee is in charge of testing for national certification (SOPEEC).