The Boilermaker performs many tasks. They build, repair, erect, test and maintain all types of boilers, pressure vessels, tanks and perform all types of structural and plate work on air, steam, dust, gas, oil, water and other liquid-tight containers. Boilermakers also install boilers, sometimes working on scaffolds, and repair and maintain existing boilers and related metal products along with measuring, cutting and connecting piping using welding and brazing equipment.

 

Boilermakers are employed in the following industries such as construction, metal fabricating, rail transport, shipbuilding, petroleum, coal products, electric power, iron and steel, and oil and gas. In the construction industry, they are primarily employed in the industrial plants such as pulp mills, mine mills, generating plants, and oil and gas plants.  

 

Boilermakers generally work in fabrication shops and operating heavy industrial plants. Working conditions often include confined spaces, requiring safe worksite practices and procedures.  

 

Industry Changes

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The Boilermaker technician is continuously challenged by technology and industry advancement. Environmental concerns have been increasing with the types of oils and gas being used in today’s market. Staying educated with constant government changes is a job in it self.

 

With the decrease of mechanical and pneumatic controls and the increased use of more advanced electronic monitoring equipment and control systems, the technician must constantly educated his/her knowledge with computerized diagnostic equipment and automated controls. The Boilermaker technician must continue to keep up to date with product knowledge and possess a great deal of customer relations.

 

The Boilermaker is becoming increasingly complex, so Boilermakers who have had educated training may find the most opportunities. Demand is also high for those who stay informed about new developments in this field.

Over the next five years, the employment outlook is considered to be excellent. The lack of trained and qualified technicians and the expected increased retirement rate in this trade over the next decade highlight the opportunities within the industry for good potential jobs.

 

Employment prospects in this occupation are affected by changes in economic conditions, and employment may be seasonal, particularly for those in the construction industry. Boilermakers may advance to supervisory positions such as foreman or superintendent.

 

Safety

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Safe working practices and accident prevention are the primary importance to the health and safety of all person(s) at any or all work place environments. All person(s) including employee, employer and government, share this responsibility in order to keep everyone free of any dangers or accidents that may cause an individual(s) serious bodily harm or death.

 

The Occupational Health and Safety Acts and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations, should be consistently reviewed and enforced in every work place environment. Educating and understanding these regulations is everyone’s responsibility in order to keep a safe work place environment.

 

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) has contributed to a safer work place environment. Health and safety has become a high priority in the workplace due to increased awareness of dangers and the identifications of hazardous materials. Practicing health and safety is a tremendous contribution to a safe and accident free work place environment.

 

Job Tasks

 

• Chip and grind parts to shape for fitting together

• Cut metal plate and brackets using an oxy-fuel torch

• Customer service

• Develop a layout and plan the sequence of work to be done

• Electrical components

• Fabricate and repair boilers, tanks, heat exchangers, fired heaters, reactors and other pressure vessels and boilermakers

• Fit and tack weld parts together using electric arc welding equipment

• Install and connect piping that carries all types of refrigerant

• Installs control systems

• Installs heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems

• Lay out plate, sheet steel or other heavy metal, and locate and mark bending and cutting lines

• Maintain electrical and electronic components of the systems

• Performs system components, accessories and material lists and handling

• Plans installation of all control systems

• Reads and uses blueprints, codes, standards, operations and service manuals

• Service, test, adjust, commission and decommission

• Shape the metal using metalworking machines such as shears and drill presses

• …and much more

Tools

• Adjustable wrench

• Air powered tools

• Aligning bar

• Allen keys

• Ball peen hammer

• Bar clamps

• Blacksmith’s punch

• Bolt Bag

• Bumping hammer

• Button pump

• Cable cutters

• Calculator

• Chains

• Combination square

• Come-alongs

• Crow bar

• Drill bits

• Electrical multi-meter

• Flashlights

• Grease gun

• Grinders

• Hack saw

• Hammer

• Interior tools

• Knock out punches

• Level

• Measuring tape

• Micrometers, calipers and thickness gauges

• Mini pipe cutters

• Needle nose pliers

• Oil Can

• Pipe bender

• Pipe wrench

• Pry bars

• Safety equipment(goggles, boots, face shield etc)

• Scales

• Scrapers

• Screw driver set

• Socket set

• Sparking igniter

• Stressing equipment

• Straight pick hammer

• Stud weld guns

• Tag lines

• Tie wire reel

• Tin snips

• Tool belt

• Torches

• Vice grips

• Wrenches

• Wire rope

• Wire rope cutters

• Wire rope winder

• Wire strippers

• …and much more

 

Skills

   

• Ability to work at heights

• Analytical Thinking

• Critical Thinking

• Co-ordination

• Creativity

• Decision Making

• Good vision

• Good colour vision

• Lifting and hoisting

• Mechanical aptitude

• Manual dexterity

• Numerical

• Oral Communication

• Patience

• Problem Solving

• Reading Blueprints and schematics

• Writing

• Use of hand signals

• Computer Knowledge

 

General Wages

   

• Average - $28.50

• Minimum - $16.80

• Maximum - $40.00

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Sample Q&A

 

1. What test pressure is required on a low pressure cast iron sectional boiler that has a safety valve set at 15psi?

a. 50psi

b. 30psi

c. 15psi

d. 25psi

Ans. B

 

2. Which of the following is the correct fitting sequence of the components to construct a top supported boiler?

a. steam drum, roof tubes, water wall panels, then buck-stays.

b. water wall panels, roof tubes, buck-stays, then steam drum.

c. buck-stays, water wall panels, steam drum, then roof tubes.

d. steam drum, buck-stays, roof tube panels, then water wall panels.

Ans. A

 

3. Which of the following two things must an operator know about the load before a rigger can select the length and capacity of slings needed to lift a load?
a. height, manufacturer
b. color, designated pick points
c. weight, center of gravity

d. weight, type of sling

Ans. C

 

4. When you have a temporary drop in load with a mechanical oil burner, which of the following should be performed?

a. adjust fuel supply

b. change burner tips

c. adjust air

d. replace valve

Answer. B

 

5. Which of the following prevents steam pressure in a steam turbine chest from getting too high?

a. relief valve

b. governor

c. throttle

d. thermocouple

Answer. C

 

6. What is required when cutting thinner materials when using the oxy-fuel cutting process?

a. More torch inclination.

b. Higher gas volume.

c. Less torch inclination.

d. Slower travel speed.

Ans. A

 

7. Which of the following is the main function of a baffle plate in a hydraulic tank?

a. Keeps dirty oil on one side of the reservoir

b. Prevents cavitation

c. Prevents aeration

d. Prevents the return oil from directly re-entering the pump inlet

Ans. D