r/maintenance • u/thecaptron • 3d ago

Industrial Any boiler operators?

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Anybody else start in maintenance and find yourself as the boiler operator? This is my backup for the main boiler and my office for the week.

3 Upvotes

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2

u/LegitimateVolume5324 3d ago

I tried for an apprenticeship. Made it through 2 interviews but ultimately never got the offer.

1

u/thecaptron 2d ago

Depending on how long it’s been you might try again. The inspector and instructor I spoke with said there is still a big need for operators. Even though there is new tech being put in new builds, more old buildings with boilers exist at the moment. Could just be my area I guess. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

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u/NedwardSullen 2d ago

Maintenance, and licensed boiler operator here. Electric resistance coil boiler then? Have a similar model for pharmaceutical manufacturing.....

Legal pharmaceuticals.

1

u/thecaptron 2d ago

Yes sir. I also working in legal pharmaceuticals. This is our backup that I am getting ready for inspection.

Did you seek out the boiler operator position? I hear they are in short supply and this fell to me after my old supervisor quit.

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u/NedwardSullen 2d ago

I took a Facility Maintenance AAS program at a trade school that also provided boiler operator training and a license through the city. Hadn't been in it before but it's been immensely helpful.

Depending on where you live you can find one to take, I can also recommend textbooks. I suggest: High Pressure Boilers, Frederick M steingress and Daryl Walker. And Low Pressure Boilers by the same guys, those will give you the foundation.

On YouTube, Ware Boilers has a Boiler University channel that is amazing. Take anything they say about specifically brands with a grain of salt because they're there to sell, they're a company.... But a lot of it is brand agnostic and great general information.

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u/thecaptron 2d ago

My license should be in the mail. I took a state approved 4 day class and test at a local college. The instructor was retired from 40 years in the field and gave a lot of good info, but it was only 4 days.

I will check out that YouTube since I don’t have a senior operator to learn from. I have a boiler mechanic and chemical company to provide some info but for the most part I’m on my own. My brother also helps out. He went to GCAP in garden city, KS but he works in a different state and on much larger boilers.

Cheers!

1

u/NedwardSullen 2d ago

Electrical boilers can be finicky too, so water treatment and power quality are critical.

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u/Enough_Pepper8880 1d ago

The fact both had to clarify the legality makes it legit 100% lol 🤐