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Local 30
Stationary Engineers
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Nature
of Work
Stationary engineers are responsible for the operation,
maintenance and repair of heating, air conditioning,
ventilation, and electric or steam powered systems in
industrial and commercial facilities and complexes. This
equipment may include boilers, air conditioning and
refrigeration equipment, diesel engines, turbines,
generators and condensers, pumps, and compressed gas
systems.
Stationary engineers work in a variety of commercial and
industrial settings such as factories, hospitals, office and
apartment buildings, schools, shopping malls, hotels,
airports, utilities and power plants, government facilities,
and breweries. Depending on the size and complexity of the
systems being monitored, they may work with support staff,
or they may work alone.
The work of stationary engineers is technical in nature.
They must not only have training certification on a variety
of systems, but they must also fully understand the
principles behind why the systems operate they way they do.
Chemistry, physics, applied electricity, and blueprint
reading are all important disciplines to master in order to
be proficient in this craft.
Stationary Engineers are extremely valuable to the
productive operation of a building or plant. Most people
take for granted having heat or air conditioning available
at the turn of a dial, or having electricity at our
fingertips, but these systems can cost millions of dollars
and require diligent maintenance and repair. If they stop to
consider the intricate work involved in keeping these
complex systems operating safely and efficiently, it is easy
to appreciate the vital tasks that stationary engineers
perform.
Working
Conditions
Most of the work performed by stationary engineers takes
place indoors. Engine rooms and power plants are
usually clean and well lit. Sometimes, however, it is
necessary to work under cramped, dark, damp, dusty, noisy,
hot or cold conditions. Performing general maintenance
duties may mean contact with oil and grease, fumes and
smoke, and servicing equipment may involve having to crawl
inside boilers and work in crouching or kneeling positions.
Unlike the IUOE construction local unions, most stationary
engineer local unions do not have hiring halls. Instead,
Stationary Engineers are either placed on a job through
their union apprenticeship training or they are hired
directly by an employer who is signatory to a union
contract.
Stationary engineers' employment is relatively steady, with
little, if any, layoff time since the work is usually year
round. You can also anticipate working for one employer for
an extended period of time.
On average, Stationary Engineers work a five-day, 40-hour
work week. This does not necessarily mean a 9 to 5 day since
the type of equipment stationary engineers oversee often
requires 24-hour monitoring. Therefore, Stationary Engineers
may work an eight-hour shift during the day or at night to
help cover a 24-hour period. Weekend and holiday work is
often part of the job because again, the systems must be
monitored at all times. |
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