Will AI Replace Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators?

Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Investigate and report on accidents.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.