Stationary Engineer's Exam

[MHall]

I have posted a few times on this forum with questions on various topics, so I thought this would be the appropriate place to ask this question.

First let me begin by stating that I am currently a senior in high school who takes a great interest in the field of building engineering. I am currently exploring this field as a possible career opportunity after graduation in May.

I have toured several properties in my area, and have even done an apprenticeship. That being said I am fascinated by the mechanical workings of a building. I take equal interest in the daily variety of service calls undertaken by a crew of building engineers at a property.

Upon researching education requirements for this field, I discovered that many companies require a; "Stationary Engineer's License" before they would even consider hiring someone.

My question for readers of this forum is this: What can someone my age do to familiarize themselves with the basics of stationary engineering? I realize one must be at least 21 before they can even begin to think about taking the test, however I believe that getting a head start in studying would be a good idea.

Does anyone know of any textbooks or websites that would be helpful for someone with my aspirations? What would be the best course of action to further my education in this area after high school?

For additional info about myself: I might add that I have a basic understanding of the mechanical components of a building such as; chillers, air handling units, boilers, etc. Right now I am trying to learn the basics of this field. I would like the make the right decision regarding my education after high school.

Thank you in advance for your time and interest in answering my questions.

Best.

[MHall]

I forgot to add that this license is also required for Central Plant operators. I however want to get into building engineering after I graduate. If the possibility presented itself perhaps I could look into the position of Central Plant operator someday!

Thanks again for any and all help!

[mbhydro]

You don't have where you live in your profile, but if you were in Manitoba Canada, you could take a course after high school through the community collage to get a certificate as a entry level stationary Engineer.

http://me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/Progra...&RegionCode=GC

If you live some place else in Canada you can find training schools here. http://www.nipe.ca/education.html

If your in the US try looking on line at your local community collage or tech school. There may also be distance training offered.

[MHall]

You don't have where you live in your profile, but if you were in Manitoba Canada, you could take a course after high school through the community collage to get a certificate as a entry level stationary Engineer.

http://me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/Progra...&RegionCode=GC

If you live some place else in Canada you can find training schools here. http://www.nipe.ca/education.html

If your in the US try looking on line at your local community collage or tech school. There may also be distance training offered.

Thanks for your reply. I'm in Texas. Down here the Unions do not manage this field, as they do up north. One benefit of the unions in places such as Chicago and New York is that they appear to help young people, such as myself, get into this field through long term apprenticeships.

Thanks again. All advice is appreciated.

[MHall]

I have read that some buildings maintain 24 hour shifts of building engineers at their property. Does anyone know what the reasoning behind this is? Where I live this does not occur. However it seems to be a fairly common staffing trend up north.

I have also heard that a building with a steam boiler must have an engineer on site 24/7. Does anyone know what the reasons for this are?

Thanks for your input and advice.

Best.

[Cooked]

We have engineers, operators and maintenance people on staff 24/7 but then again we have over 20,000 tons of refrigeration and enough steam to heat half of Houston. If something goes wrong, and it does, you simply have to have experienced staffers at hand.

[MHall]

We have engineers, operators and maintenance people on staff 24/7 but then again we have over 20,000 tons of refrigeration and enough steam to heat half of Houston. If something goes wrong, and it does, you simply have to have experienced staffers at hand.

Is that Greenway Plaza? I have read that they have separate engineering departments. One that handles the house calls throughout the complex and another that maintains a central plant that services all buildings.

Thanks for posting. I appreciate all input.

Best.

[Cooked]

No, I'm several miles from Greenway Plaza in the heart of the TMC (Texas Medical Center). The city of Houston requires all sorts of certs and exams. I'm exempt from most but not all of them because I'm a professional engineer. If you want me to I'll get you a list of what's required to do what and where to go to get it. HCC and San Jacinto Jr. College offer a lot of them.

[MHall]

See above.

[MHall]

No, I'm several miles from Greenway Plaza in the heart of the TMC (Texas Medical Center). The city of Houston requires all sorts of certs and exams. I'm exempt from most but not all of them because I'm a professional engineer. If you want me to I'll get you a list of what's required to do what and where to go to get it. HCC and San Jacinto Jr. College offer a lot of them.

Thanks for the offer. As a senior in high school I am trying to prepare myself for all that this field requires. I'd greatly appreciate any information you can offer. I'm also in Texas, about three hours north of where you are.

Thanks again. Best

[lzenglish]

Hello: My advice to you is to take every shop class offered in your High School, and get Mechanically Inclined. Then, find a local H.V.A.C. company that will let you work for them as a helper, for free. If they want to pay you, Great, but On the Job Experience is invaluable. Then when you Graduate, find a good trade School, or College that offers a course in the field. I took a 2 year College course in Mechanical, Electrical, Technology, that was geared toward the Stationary Engineer field. Find a School that is recognized by the local Operating Engineers Union, and or Employers in your area. Lastly, be a good hard worker, and get to work early, and leave late, and I'm sure you will make your dream come true. Good Luck to You!

Wayne,
Retired Senior Stationary Engineer

PS: I forgot to say,that if you find a Good College, or Trade School, go buy their Class Book, and Study it.

[MHall]

Hello: My advice to you is to take every shop class offered in your High School, and get Mechanically Inclined. Then, find a local H.V.A.C. company that will let you work for them as a helper, for free. If they want to pay you, Great, but On the Job Experience is invaluable. Then when you Graduate, find a good trade School, or College that offers a course in the field. I took a 2 year College course in Mechanical, Electrical, Technology, that was geared toward the Stationary Engineer field. Find a School that is recognized by the local Operating Engineers Union, and or Employers in your area. Lastly, be a good hard worker, and get to work early, and leave late, and I'm sure you will make your dream come true. Good Luck to You!

Wayne,
Retired Senior Stationary Engineer

PS: I forgot to say,that if you find a Good College, or Trade School, go buy their Class Book, and Study it.

Thank you. One question I have. Is the Stationary Engineer's exam focused primarily on voilers/steam operations, or does it also include chillers, pumps, etc??

Thanks again for the input!

Best

[lzenglish]

Thank you. One question I have. Is the Stationary Engineer's exam focused primarily on voilers/steam operations, or does it also include chillers, pumps, etc??

Thanks again for the input!

Best

Primarily is a Big Word when you talk Stationary Engineer, but if I had to put them in order, I would go with H.V.A.C as number 1. You will also need to know about High and Low pressure boilers, water treatment, ice machines, door hardware, emergency generators, sewage ejector pumps, domestic water systems, etc., etc. About the only thing I did not work on were the Elevators, which are usually contracted out. Do yourself a favor and join the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society "RSES", as they have a wealth of information. I'm an active member for 30 years now. Also, go pick up a few applications at the City, County, State, etc, and read the requirements. I Hope this Helps You!

Wayne

[MHall]

Primarily is a Big Word when you talk Stationary Engineer, but if I had to put them in order, I would go with H.V.A.C as number 1. You will also need to know about High and Low pressure boilers, water treatment, ice machines, door hardware, emergency generators, sewage ejector pumps, domestic water systems, etc., etc. About the only thing I did not work on were the Elevators, which are usually contracted out. Do yourself a favor and join the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society "RSES", as they have a wealth of information. I'm an active member for 30 years now. Also, go pick up a few applications at the City, County, State, etc, and read the requirements. I Hope this Helps You!

Wayne

Thanks so much. Just curious, were you a chief engineer at an office property,school, hotel, etc? Or did you work as a central plant operator for a steam plant etc?

As a high school student who is an aspiring building/stationary engineer I would love to hear more about your experiences.

Thank you. Best

[ammoniaman]

I'm in Rochester, NY and here there are both Stationary Engineer and Refrigeration Operator licenses which are required by the city based on plant horsepower or tonnage. Best book I know of for the steam side is Steam Plant Operation by Woodruff, Lammers and Lammers. For refrig/AC try Standard Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Questions and Answers. By Elonka and Minich.

[lzenglish]

Thanks so much. Just curious, were you a chief engineer at an office property,school, hotel, etc? Or did you work as a central plant operator for a steam plant etc?

As a high school student who is an aspiring building/stationary engineer I would love to hear more about your experiences.

Thank you. Best

I worked for The City, the County, and the Feds. The buildings were a mix, but mostly Commercial Office Buildings, with a Central Plant to feed them. When I retired, I was a Senior, which is the same as a Chief. You do not need an Engineer Licence in CA, but you do of course need a Universal EPA Certification, as part of the Job Description.

Wayne

[rspike]

I'm a nyc dual lic operating engineer,steam and reffer .It is a good craft all season work in doors . If i can answer or help let me know

[rspike]

where do you live?

[XcelTech]

I have read that some buildings maintain 24 hour shifts of building engineers at their property. Does anyone know what the reasoning behind this is? Where I live this does not occur. However it seems to be a fairly common staffing trend up north.

There are alot of reason some places would do this; specially places like plants that preform oil refinery, hospitals, large data centers, 24-hour production companies like railroads, and utility plants.

I have also heard that a building with a steam boiler must have an engineer on site 24/7. Does anyone know what the reasons for this are?

Thanks for your input and advice.

Best.

When a steam pipe bust the pressure can be strong enough to cut through walls. Steam systems can be every bit as dangerous as nature gas systems.

[rspike]

in nyc if a boiler is running at or above 15lbs it is a high pressure boiler in nyc this needs a lic engineer to be with in sight and sound of it running at all times , this law comes from a telephone company explosion in the last century killing many people