In Canada, licensed power engineers maintain high-pressure steam equipment. Fourth-class engineers work in small facilities and may need additional certifications. Attention to detail and the ability to work independently are important. Energy engineers usually require a degree and local or national certification.
In Canada, only licensed technicians are allowed to maintain equipment that provides heat or power using high pressure steam. These individuals are called power engineers and are certified by experts using a grade system. Engineer ranks range in difficulty from fifth to first class, with the latter requiring more education and training. Generally, job posting requirements are based on machinery size and production, with larger plants requiring higher ratings. Fourth-class engineer jobs often involve boiler maintenance and repair in facilities such as hospitals, schools, and small factories.
Often, the work environment will greatly influence the technician’s responsibilities. Small installations require a power engineer for their equipment by law, but recognize that these tasks can take just a few hours a day. To compensate, other roles can be added to the job description. For example, fourth grade power engineer jobs in a school setting could combine boiler maintenance with general maintenance tasks. Likewise, an engineer in a manufacturing setting might be asked to provide safety checks as part of their daily routine.
Specific fourth-class engineering jobs may also require additional certification. An extra certification in refrigeration systems called a refrigeration ticket is common in positions where the boiler system is used primarily for heating purposes. Other certificates, such as a gas pass, may be required when working with hybrid heating systems or power plants.
Regardless of the job setting, there are certain requirements common to most fourth grade engineering jobs. Attention to detail is of the utmost importance because even slight variations in the readings of instruments that record the temperature and pressure inside a boiler can be an early indicator of a dangerous malfunction. As such, the ability to keep and organize records of these readings is necessary not only to analyze patterns, but also to comply with government regulations. In addition, many engineers work unsupervised, so the ability to perform job roles and make decisions independently is also desirable.
Technically, it is possible in some areas of Canada to become certified as an energy engineer simply by passing the test. Most fourth-grade energy engineering jobs, however, require completion of an energy engineering degree. These courses typically run from nine to 18 months, with the longer programs incorporating refrigeration ticketing information. Energy engineers can work within their own provinces by receiving local government certification. Nationwide certification testing is conducted by the Power Engineer Testing Standardization Committee (SOPEEC).
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