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Furnace Tenders, sometimes called Boiler Tenders, operate and maintain steam boilers that power industrial machinery and heat factories, offices, and other buildings.

Job Duties 

Furnace Tenders may:

Shovel fuels, such as coal and coke into fireboxes or onto conveyors

Turn valves to regulate the flow of fuel into fireboxes

Read gages and move controls

Maintain steam pressure and water levels in boiler

Remove ashes from fireboxes using shovels and buckets

Clean boilers

Treat water for boilers using chemicals

Repair boilers

The tools and equipment used may include:

Some Tenders may work with piping and valves, pumps, and chemicals. In some industries, computers are used to control kilns, furnaces, and boilers.

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Furnace Tenders may specialize in these areas:

951.685-010 HIGH PRESSURE FIRERS, also known as High Pressure Boiler Tenders, operate portable or stationary high pressure boilers that supply heat and power for engines, turbines, industrial processes, and steam powered equipment.

951.685-014 LOW PRESSURE FIRERS, also known as Low Pressure Boiler Operators, tend low pressure boilers that supply steam heat for office buildings, apartments, or industrial establishments.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Furnace Tenders usually work under the general supervision of maintenance supervisors or stationary engineers. Work is usually performed indoors. Furnace Tenders are exposed to noise, heat, fumes, dirt, dust, and smoke. Some hazards may include burns, falls, and injury from moving machinery. There are also dangers related to defective or improperly functioning boilers or furnaces. However, modern equipment and safety procedures are reducing these dangers.

Furnace Tenders usually work 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. Furnace Tenders in these plants work on any of 3 shifts and must take their turns working on Sundays and holidays. Most Furnace Tenders belong to labor unions. They may join the International Brotherhood of Firemen, Oilers, and Helpers or the International Union of Operating Engineers. Workers belonging to unions must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities related to processes, machines, and techniques

You Should Be Able To:

• Demonstrate mechanical ability

• Follow written and spoken instructions

• Make decisions based on factors that can be measured or checked

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Read gages

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A building has a design sensible heat loss of 150,000 Btu/hr based on 70 degrees DB inside and 10 degrees outside. Estimate the probable fuel oil consumption for a heating season that extends from October 1 to May 31 if No. 2 fuel oil has a heating value of 140,000 btu/gal.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

In the conduction and convection mechanisms the transfer of heat is associated with matter. For radiant heat transfer, however, a change in energy form takes place, from internal energy at the source to electromagnetic energy for transmission then back to internal energy at the receiver.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an order form for new maintenance tools and supplies.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Analytical skills and be detail oriented in operating and maintaining boilers and heating systems.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Some Michigan cities require Furnace Tenders to be licensed. They must meet age and experience requirements and pass oral and written tests. The license must be renewed yearly.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Furnace Tender employer

internships

volunteer work with a Furnace Tender employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entering the occupation of Furnace Tender is direct application to employers. Assistance may be obtained from local unions representing Furnace Tenders, newspaper want ads, civil service offices, and local Michigan Works! offices. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

                You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

Summer or part-time work may be available as a boiler-room helper.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

The earnings of Furnace Tenders depend on the kind of equipment operated, the size and type of employer, and the geographic area. Furnace Tenders in industrial plants are usually paid a higher hourly rate than Tenders in small firms, laundries, or hospitals.

Nationally, the weekly earnings of Furnace Tenders ranged between $600 and $1,500. Their median weekly earnings were $872 in 2000.

Skilled Boiler Operators in the automobile industry in mid 2000 earned between $18.11 and $25.88 per hour. In addition, these workers also receive a cost-of- living allowance.

Hourly earnings of Boiler Operators working for the City of Detroit were (mid 2000):

Power plant Boiler Operators employed by the State of Michigan in 2001 earned between $13.60 and $22.73 per hour.

Assistant Furnace Tenders working for a large Michigan utility company earned $17.92 to $20.55 per hour in early 2001. Experienced Furnace Tenders earned from $18.88 to $24.79 per hour. In addition, some of these workers receive lump-sum bonuses.

Furnace Tenders usually receive extra pay for overtime and late shift work. They may also receive cost-of-living allowances.

Depending on the employer, Furnace Tenders may receive paid vacations and holidays; hospital, medical, and life insurance; sick leave; and pension plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer. Some companies also have a savings and stock investment plan for their employees. The plan allows employees to invest part of their income in the company's common stock and/or specified investments. The company may contribute a percentage of the amount invested by the employee.

Beginning Furnace Tenders usually start as boiler-room helpers. With training and experience, some Furnace Tenders may advance to positions as maintenance mechanics or stationary engineers. Taking technical courses, such as physics, blueprint reading, electricity, and air conditioning and refrigeration, may improve chances for advancement.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 16,000 Furnace Tenders employed in 1998. Employment of Furnace Tenders is expected to decline through the year 2008. However, some openings are expected each year as Tenders retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work. The industry distribution for Furnace Tenders looked like this:

Many new power systems have more efficient, often automatic, operations. They require less maintenance and offer power to more buildings. Therefore, one Furnace Tender may do the work that once required several workers.

There are about 575 Furnace Tenders employed in Michigan. Furnace Tenders work for hospitals, schools, manufacturing firms, and Federal, State, and local governments.

Employment of Furnace Tenders in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2006. An average of 10 openings is expected annually. These are due to replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations. Although an increase in the use of stationary boilers and furnaces is expected, a similar increase in the number of Furnace Tenders handling this equipment is not projected.

Technological developments have resulted in boilers and furnaces that are automatically controlled from centralized points, thus reducing the need for Furnace Tenders.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2006

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below:

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Furnace Tender can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development