Heating engineer

Heating engineers install and maintain gas, electric, oil, solid-fuel and multiple fuel heating and ventilation equipment as stand-alone heating and ventilation systems or build into machinery and transport equipment. They follow instructions and blueprints, perform maintenance on systems, perform safety checks and repair the systems.

The following job titles also refer to heating engineer:

oil fired heating inspector
solid-fuel fired heating inspector
coal fired heating inspector
HVAC heating mechanic
electrical heating engineer
solid fuel heating inspector
coke fired heating inspector
HVAC inspector
heating technician

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a heating engineer.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Heating engineer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to heating engineer.

pneumatic systems technician
fluid power technician
industrial machinery mechanic
agricultural machinery technician
forge equipment technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of heating engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of heating engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

pneumatic engineering technician
heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician
industrial engineering technician
process engineering technician
production engineering technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of heating engineer.

• Types of fuels: Types of fuel available on the market such as petrol, diesel, bio-fuel, etc.
• Fuel gas: The various qualities, hazards and applications of gaseous fuels, such as oxy-acetylene, oxy-gasoline, oxy-hydrogen and others.
• Thermodynamics: The branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy..

These skills are necessary for the role of heating engineer.

• Install radiators: Install heat exchangers that transfer thermal energy to heat or cool their environment. Connect the pipes to the central heating system.
• Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
• Operate welding equipment: Use welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel; wear protective eyewear during the working process.
• Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Conduct routine machinery checks: Check machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
• Install heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration ducts: Install ducts to deliver and remove air. Determine whether the duct should be flexible or not, and select the appropriate material based on projected usage. Waterproof and airproof the duct and insulate it against temperature influence to ensure maximum efficiency and prevent contamination with mould. Make the correct connections between the ducts and endpoints.
• Perform maintenance on installed equipment: Perform the maintenance on installed equipment on-site. Follow procedures to avoid uninstalling equipment from machinery or vehicles.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Install heating furnace: Place a furnace which heats air to be distributed around a structure. Connect the furnace to a source of fuel or electricity and connect any air ducts to guide the heated air. Configure the furnace.
• Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of heating engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Metal thermal conductivity: The property of metals to conduct heat.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of heating engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Install heat pump: Install heat pumps, which use the physical properties of substances called refrigerants to extract heat from an environment and release it to a warmer environment, counter to spontaneous heat flow. Create the necessary openings and install the indoors and outdoors parts of the heat pump. Connect electricity and any ducts, and configure the heat pump.
• Provide technical documentation: Prepare documentation for existing and upcoming products or services, describing their functionality and composition in such a way that it is understandable for a wide audience without technical background and compliant with defined requirements and standards. Keep documentation up to date.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
• Repair heating equipment: Repair boilers, heat exchangers, fired heaters, tanks, reactors and other pressure vessels by use of welding techniques applied to cut and formed metal sheets.
• Perform risk analysis: Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation’s functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.
• Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
• Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
• Install solar water heater: Place solar water heaters, which use sunlight to heat water. Find a good location for the heaters, often on the roof of a structure, place them, and connect them to the water supply. Set up the water heater for use.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Advise on safety improvements: Provide relevant recommendations following the conclusion of an investigation; ensure that recommendations are duly considered and where appropriate acted upon.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• Install heating boiler: Place heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration boilers, which heats up water and circulates it through a closed radiator system to distribute heat around a structure. Connect the boiler to a source of fuel or electricity and to the circulation system. Connect it to the water supply if it features an automatic filling system. Configure the boiler.
• Lay pipe installation: Install the system of pipes used to transport a fluid, be it a liquid or a gas, from one point to another and connect it to the fuel and water supply lines, air ducts, and other components.
• Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
• Install in-floor and in-wall heating: Install heating circuits, often sold as mats, into floors and walls. Strip the existing floor or wall covering if necessary. Roll out the mats and test them for continuity. Attach the mats to the surface if necessary and connect them to a power supply. Cover the circuits with mortar, drywall or other appropriate materials.
• Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
• Install wood heater: Install heaters that burn wood or pulp-based pellets to generate heat. Attach any ducts and install an exhaust pipe. Configure the wood heater if it contains an electronic control unit.
• Provide customer information related to repairs: Inform customers about necessary repairs or replacements, discuss products, services and costs, include accurate technical information.
• Prepare compliance documents: Prepare documents with legal value which prove that an installation or a facility is conform to the regulations.
• Install gas heaters: Install gas heaters, which burn fossil fuels such as methane, butane, or LPG to heat air. Attach an exhaust vent if required. Configure the gas heater if it features electronic control.
• Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
• Repair ventilation equipment: Inspect the ventilation system to detect damage, clean out the air vents, replace heating filters and schedule further maintenance or repairs.
• Issue sales invoices: Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.
• Write records for repairs: Write records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.

7126 – Plumbers and pipe fitters

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References

1. Heating engineer – ESCO