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2nd
Class Fireman License (FAQ)
Brief Description of License:
This license allows the holder to operate any boiler or boilers under the
engineer or fireman in dierct charge thereof
Who should have one?
Anyone who is operating any boiler that is not used exclusively for heating
purposes and does not hold a higher grade license.
What are the prerequisites?
To be eligible for examination for a First Class Fireman’s License a person must
be a citizen or furnish proof of having filed a declaration of his intent to
become a citizen of the United States; must furnish evidence to his previous
training and except studnets attending all day sate aided vocational high
schools in steam engineering courses or students performing the duties of a
First of Second Class Fireman at said school, be at least 18 years of age,
provided however that ho such license issued shall be used in employment by the
holder thereof unless he is at least 18 years pf age. A strenuous written and/or
oral exam must be passed.
How is this license obtained?
You must make application and successfully pass a written and oral exam.
What to study for Second Class
Fireman's License:
Types, purpose, operation, of the following: Fire Tube boilers, water tube
boilers, package boilers, forced-flow steam generators, steam drum internals,
water column, gauge glass, try cocks, safety valves, check valves, relief
valves, valves, gauges, soot blowers, dampers, superheaters, economizers and air
preheaters. Fundamentals of heat transfer and circulation of water in various
boiler types; including the properties of steam. Arrangement of blowoff piping
in various boilers. Blowoff valve sequencing in various boilers. Purpose for
boiler blow down. Purpose of steam traps. Proper operation of valves for
opening and closing. Proper procedure for establishing boiler water level,
light-off and going on line with other boilers on a header system. Proper
procedure for boiler out of service operation such as: shutdown, draining,
isolation, cleaning. The preparation of a boiler for inspection. Proper
procedure for startup of boiler auxiliaries such as: motor-driven boiler feed
pumps, reciprocating steam pumps, draft fans, etc. and their normal operation.
Purpose and operation of safety valves. Procedure for removing and installing
manhole and handhole plates. On line operation for abnormal conditions such as:
oil in boiler, low water, high water, water carryover, leaks, etc. Types and
operation of oil and gas burners as used in H.P. boilers. A basic knowledge of
combustion flame safety equipment. Understanding of the principals of
combustion. Operation and testing of low water cutoff. Ability to do simple
math. Knowledge of first duties on taking over a shift; including State
operators log book. Knowledge of opacity restrictions and smoke density devices
required by 310 CMR 7.00. Understanding of lockout / tagout procedures.
Understanding of MSDS. Confined space entry. Knowledge of ASME Code Section
VII. Knowledge of what the license permits them do. This information is
contained in Chapter 146 of the General Laws and in 522 CMR 2.00. Understanding
ASME Section 7
Questions concerning the plant in which the applicant is presently employed or
where they have been employed in the past may be asked during the oral portion
of the examination.
1st
Class Fireman License (FAQ)
Brief Description of License:
This license allows the holder to have charge of and operate any boiler or
boilers where the safety valve or valves are set to blow at a pressure not
exceeding 25 PSI, or to operate high pressure boilers under the engineer or
fireman in direct charge thereof.
Who should have one?
Anyone who is in actual authority as the "Fireman-in-charge", of any boilers or
boilers where the safety valve or valves are set to blow at a pressure not
exceeding 25 PSI, who is held responsible by the owners as well as the proper
authorities for the daily operation and maintenance of the steam boiler(s). This
person is also the person responsible for all persons operating these boilers,
engines, and/or turbines.
What are the prerequisites?
To be eligible for examination for a First Class Fireman’s License a person must
be a citizen or furnish proof of having filed a declaration of his intent to
become a citizen of the United States; must furnish evidence as to his previous
training and experience and must have been employed in a boiler or steam power
plant as a steam engineer, fireman, control room operator, water tender,
auxilairy operator or engineer’s assistant for not less than one year, or have
held and used a Second Class Fireman’s License for not less than six (6) months.
A strenuous written and/or oral exam must be passed.
How is this license obtained?
You must make application and successfully pass a written and oral exam.
What to study for First Class
Fireman's License:
All of that pertaining
to the foregoing grade. A knowledge of low pressure steam and vacuum heating
systems, feedwater heaters including deaerators and single feedwater control
level systems, as well as feedwater treatment and testing. Boiler water
sampling, testing and treatment as well as control of steam contamination.
Operation & knowledge of small non condensing turbines. Proper procedure for
replacing packing on valves and pumps. .Knowledge of the effects of foaming,
priming, scale, oil, etc. on the operation of boilers. Laying up of boilers,
both wet and dry. Lubricants and lubrication methods for various types of
lubricators and their uses on various boiler auxiliaries. Knowledge of the
various types of safety valves and relief valves. Safe operating procedures for
boilers and auxiliaries covering startup, normal operation, emergency conditions
and shutdown. Knowledge of automatic boiler operating controls including safety
devices required by 522 CMR 16.00. Knowledge of combustion and combustion
by-products. A knowledge of fuel and their proper storage. Types and & testing
of steam traps. Knowledge of licensing and inspection laws in Massachusetts
including Section 46. Boiler horsepower determination using Chapter 146.
Knowledge of steam tables. Knowledge of CMR’s 522. Knowledge of CMR’s 310.
Operation & regeneration of Water softeners, knowledge of steam reducing valves
and flue gas analysis equipment. Operation of reciprocating pumps. Operation &
maintenance of centrifugal pumps. Knowledge of what the license permits them
do. This information is contained in Chapter 146 of the General Laws and in 522
CMR 2.00
Questions concerning the plant in which the applicant
is presently employed or where they have been employed in the past may be asked
during the oral portion of the exam.
3rd
Class Engineer License
Brief Description of License:
This license allows the holder to have charge of and operate a boiler or boilers
not exceeding, in the aggregate, one hundred and fifty horsepower when solid
fuel is burned or not exceeding, in the aggregate, five hundred horsepower based
uon the relieving capacity of the safety valves when steam is generated by the
use of liquid, or gaseous fuel, electric or atomic energy or any other source of
heat, and an engine or engines not exceeding fifty (50) horsepower each.
Who should have one?
Anyone who is in actual authority as the "Engineer-in-charge", of any boilers or
boilers not exceeding, in the aggregate, one hundred and fifty horsepower when
solid fuel is burned or not exceeding, in the aggregate, five hundred horsepower
based uon the relieving capacity of the safety valves when steam is generated by
the use of liquid, or gaseous fuel, electric or atomic energy or any other
source of heat, or engines and turbines not exceeding 50 horsepower each, who is
held responsible by the owners as well as the proper authorities for the daily
operation and maintenance of the steam boiler, engines, and/or turbines. This
person is also the person responsible for all persons operating these boilers,
engines, and/or turbines.
What are the prerequisites?
To be eligible for examination for a Third Class Engineer’s License a person
must be a citizen or furnish proof of having filed a declaration of his intent
to become a citizen of the United States; must furnish evidence as to his
previous training and experience and must have been employed in a boiler or
steam power plant as a steam engineer, fireman, control room operator, water
tender, auxiliary operator or engineer’s assistant for not less than one and one
half years, or held and used an equivalent license in the United States Merchant
Marine for one (1) year or held and used a equivalent license from another state
for one (1) year, or held and used a First Class Fireman’s License for not less
than one year. A strenuous written and oral exam must be passed.
How is this license obtained?
You must make application and successfully pass a written and oral exam.
What to study for the Third Class
Engineer's License:
All of that pertaining foregoing grades: Types, purpose,
operation of the following: Non-condensing steam turbines, impulse blading,
reaction blading, velocity-compounding, pressure compounding, journal bearings,
forced feed lubrication, reduction gears, shaft seals, throttle-trip valves,
emergency governors, overpressure protection devices. Understanding of causes of
vibrations and critical speeds in turbines. Turbine horsepower determination as
per Chapter 146. Knowledge of direct acting centrifugal and electronic type
speed governors. A knowledge of water treatment. The effect of scale, sludge and
other contaminants in boilers. An understanding of water side and fire side
corrosion and its prevention. A thorough knowledge of positive and non positive
displacement pumps. A knowledge of heating systems using outside air admission.
Methods of removing scale and oil from boilers. Knowledge of boiler safety valve
code requirements; including capacity determination, permissible mountings, set
pressures, stamping, etc. Ability to order a safety valve and checking safety
valve capacity three ways. A knowledge of gagging a safety valve. A knowledge of
power plant repairs, including the procedure for making welded and mechanical
repairs in accordance with state laws. A thorough knowledge of boilers, boiler
control systems both combustion and feedwater. Understanding of code
jurisdictional limits for piping drum type boilers as required by ASME Code,
Section I PG-58. Typical fuel oil and gas piping arrangements. Knowledge of two
and three element feedwater level control systems. Knowledge of bearings used in
turbines. Knowledge of indicators, recording devices, and associated
instrumentation for monitoring and controlling combustion process. Knowledge of
safety controls to prevent unsafe boiler conditions. Knowledge of flue gas
analysis and boiler efficiency. Skill in math and simple algebra. Knowledge of
surface and air-cooled condensers. Basic methods of superheat temperature
control. Safety rules for entering boilers for inspection. Basic steam and water
cycle for a condensing turbo generator. Procedure to hire a boiler repair and
other licensed contractors. Understanding of ASME Code Section I & National
Board Code as it applies to the normal duties and responsibilities of a Third
Class Engineer. Complete understanding of “Responsibilities of being a Chief
Engineer.” A knowledge of Gen.. Laws Chapter 146, knowledge of CMR’s 522 & 310,
knowledge of B31.1 piping code, knowledge of Gas Turbines. Knowledge of Piping
and Instrumentation Drawings (P&ID’s)
Questions concerning the plant in which the applicant is presently employed or
where they have been employed in the past may be asked during the oral portion
of the exam.
2nd
Class Engineer License
Brief Description of License:
This license allows the holder to have charge of and operate a boiler or
boilers, and have charge of and operate engines or turbines no one of which
shall exceed one hundred and fifty horsepower, or to operate a first class plant
under the engineer in direct charge thereof.
Who should have one?
Anyone who is in actual authority as the "Engineer-in-charge", of any boilers or
boilers, or engineers and turbines not exceeding 150 horsepower each, who is
held responsible by the owners as well as the proper authorities for the daily
operation and maintenance of the steam boiler, engines, and/or turbines. This
person is also the person responsible for all persons operating these boilers,
engines, and/or turbines.
What are the prerequisites?
To be eligible for examination for a Second Class Engineer’s License a person
must be a citizen or furnish proof of having filed a declaration of his intent
to become a citizen of the United States; must furnish evidence as to his
previous training and experience and must have been employed as an engineer in
charge of or operating a steam plant or plants having at least one engine or
turbine of not less than fifty horsepower for not less than 2 years or held and
used an equivalent license in the United States Merchant Marine for two (2)
years, or have held and used an equivalent license from another state for two
(2) years or must have held and used a Third Class Engineer’s License either as
an engineer, assistant engineer, control room operator or a fireman for not less
than one (1) year, or must be a person who has held and used a special license
to operate a first class plant for not less than 2 years, except any person who
is a United States citizen and served three (3) years as an apprentice to the
machinist or boiler making trade in stationary, marine, or locomotive engine or
boiler works and has been employed one (1) year in connection with the operation
of a steam plant, or any person who has a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Engineering from any duly recognized school of engineering, who has been
employed for one year in connection with the operation of a steam plant. A
strenuous written and oral exam must be passed.
How is this license obtained?
You must make application and successfully pass a written and oral exam.
What to Study for the Second Class Engineer's
License:
All of that pertaining to the foregoing grades. A complete knowledge of the
construction of all types of boilers and accessories, also the rules formulated
by the Board of Boiler Rules, as well as Section I, IV and VIII of the ASME
Code. Ability to calculate safe working pressure of any boiler using open
codebook. Types, purpose and operation of surface condensers, air ejector
equipment, and condensate removal equipment. A thorough knowledge of safety
valves, their installation and operation. Knowledge of the chemistry of
combustion. Knowledge of the local, state and national environmental laws
pertaining to power plants. Theory, operation and maintenance of steam turbines,
both condensing and noncondensing and their governors. Knowledge of steam tables
and mollier charts. Calculation of boiler efficiencies. Thorough knowledge of
feedwater treatment. Ability to parallel AC generators. A knowledge of
electricity. Ability to solve algebraic equations.
Procedure to hire a boiler repair and other licensed contractors. Hiring
asbestos removal contractors. Knowledge of hazardous chemical procedures.
Lubricating programs. Training programs. Oil spill procedures, viscometers.
Knowledge of confined space entry procedures. OSHA Training Requirements.
Function of ASME, National Board & Board Of Boiler Rules. Operation of
demineralizers. Sections of ASME Code, National Board Code and Board of Boilers
Rules as they apply to the normal duties and responsibilities of a Second Class
Engineer. Ability to size pumps, drivers and control valves.
Questions concerning the plant in which the applicant is presently employed or
where they have been employed in the past may be asked during the oral portion
of the exam.
1st
Class Engineer License
Brief Description of License:
This license allows the holder to have charge of any single steam plant in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Who should have one?
Anyone who is in actual authority as the "Engineer-in-charge", who is held
responsible by the owners as well as the proper authorities for the daily
operation and maintenance of the steam boiler, engines, and/or turbines. This
person is also the person responsible for all persons operating these boilers,
engines, and/or turbines.
What are the prerequisites?
To be eligible for examination for a First Class Engineer’s License a person
must be a citizen or furnish proof of having filed a declaration of his intent
to become a citizen of the United States; must furnish evidence as to his
previous training and experience and must have been employed, for not less than
three (3) years as an engineer in charge of a steam plant or plants having at
least one engine or turbine of over one hundred and fifty horsepower, or must
have held and used a Second Class Engineer’s License for not less than one and
one half years, or held and used an equivalent license in the United States
Merchant Marine for three (3) years or have held and used a equivalent license
from another state for three (3) years. A strenuous written and oral exam must
be passed.
How is this license obtained?
You must submit an application and successfully pass a written and oral exam.
What to for the First Class Engineer's License:
A more advanced knowledge of that pertaining to the foregoing grades, including
steam and gas turbine repairs. Types, purpose, calculation of the following:
power plant cycles, thermodynamic and mechanical losses in steam turbines, etc.
Ability to supervise repairs on all plant machinery. Knowledge of power plant
efficiencies. A knowledge of power plant physics and chemistry of combustion. A
knowledge of automatic control systems for plant systems. Knowledge of polishing
effluents from plant, as well as environmental laws. A thorough knowledge of
power plant emissions monitoring and control. A knowledge of power plant
environmental regulations including waste water treatment and solid waste
handling. A knowledge of basic knowledge of metallurgy and nondestructive
examination. A knowledge of the installation, operation, maintenance and repair
of turbines, condensers, boilers, and related auxiliaries including oil
purification systems. Basic operation of a generator and plant electric systems.
Familiarity with psychometric charts.
Questions concerning the plant in which the applicant is presently employed or
where they have been employed in the past may be asked during the oral portion
of the exam.
Engineering Examination FAQ
Q: When are examinations scheduled?
A: All engineering examinations are held
during the last week of every month.
Q: Where are the examinations held?
A: Exams are held in four locations through
out Massachusetts: UMass Amherst; Devens Conference Center; Town
of Holbrook Knights of Columbus; and Bunker Hill Community
College. Every applicant will receive Notice to appear
approximately two weeks prior to the exam.
Q: How long does it take to find out if I
passed the examination?
A: Results are usually posted on this website
within two weeks of the examination.
Q: Where can I find materials to study for
the examination?
A: You should have received a cover letter
with a list of study materials. You may also obtain
information from our website at http://www.mass.gov/dps.
Some study materials may be purchased at the State House
Bookstore. The Department does not provide any study
materials.
Q: How do I reschedule an examination?
A: If you are unable to attend an exam, you
should inform the Department by calling Maria Pereira at (617)
71272-3200, ext. 25243 or Nancy Cain at (617) 7272-3200, ext.
25235. You will automatically be rescheduled for the following
month’s exam date.
Q: If I fail an exam when may I retest?
A: You may retest by reapplying with the
department 90 days after the exam. You will be notified of your
new exam date.
Q: I took my exam and passed. When should I
receive my license in the mail?
A: If you passed an exam your license will
be mailed approximately two to three weeks after the exam date.
Q: I submitted my license renewal and have
not received anything. What should I do?
A: Please allow 30 days for processing. If
30 days have passed, please call the Cashiers' Office at (617)
727-3200 ext. 25246 to inquire.
Q: How will I receive my results?
A: For most licensing exams, applicants are
issued an identification number and web address where they may
retrieve the results when they sit for the exam. In order to
receive your results, simply visit the website and enter your
identification number. If you are an applicant for a
construction supervisor’s license, an engineering license, or a
fireman’s license, the results of your exam will not be posted
on the web, but will be mailed to you directly.
Continuing Education FAQ
Q: Do engineers and firemen who are not using
their licenses have to take continuing education courses to
renew their licenses?
A: Yes. Engineers and firemen who wish to
keep their licenses, but do not wish to take continuing
education courses to maintain an active license, may renew (pay
the fee) and receive their licenses in "inactive" status.
"Inactive" licenses cannot be used until the holder has met the
continuing education requirements. See 522
CMR 18.00
 .
Q: I am an engineer/fireman, and I received
my license a couple of years ago. It is going to be up for
renewal. Can I satisfy the continuing education requirement by
attending classes at the school I used when I first became
licensed?
A: Yes, provided that the school has
submitted the course to the Department and has received the
Commissioner’s approval. It is your responsibility to make sure
that course you are taking has been approved. A list of schools
and approved course is available at http://www.mass.gov/dps.
Q: Will college courses related to the field
be counted as credit hours for engineer/fireman continuing
education?
A: Yes, provided that the college course has
been approved by the Commissioner. The intent is to ensure that
operating engineers have been instructed in the most recent
changes in the laws and industry safety trends and procedures.
ALL courses must be approved by the Commissioner FIRST. If a
course has not been approved, it will be counted toward your
continuing education requirement.
Q: Are 1st Class Engineers exempt from
continuing education classes?
A: No.
Q: Are “special” license holders exempt from
continuing education classes?
A: No.
Q: If a 1st engineer teaches a class, will it
count as credited hours for his or her continuing education
requirement?
A: Yes. A 1st engineer teaching an approved
class is participating in the class, and can therefore certify
that he or she satisfied credits for the prescribed time. The 1st
engineer teaching an approved course will be registered with the
Department, and will not be required to repeat the course he or
she is instructing.
Q: Will the engineer/fireman continuing
education courses be taught at different levels, i.e. a level
for 1st engineers vs. a level for 2nd fireman?
A: Yes. However, an engineer must be taught
by an instructor holding an equal or greater license.
Q: Will first aid and CPR classes be counted
as credit hours?
A: No.
Q: Am I required to take a class not related
to my job? For example, would a 2nd fireman working at a small
heating plant be expected to take a class on turbines?
A: Yes, depending on the program you take.
Air
Tank (FAQ)Q: What is an air
tank?
A: For purposes of certification by the
Department of Public Safety, “air tanks” are any tank or other
receptacle for the storing of compressed air at any pressure
exceeding fifty pounds per square inch, except when attached to
locomotives or street or railway cars or trackless trolley
vehicles, or to motor vehicles for use in operating such
vehicles or their brakes or body lifting apparatus. G.L. c.
146, §34.
Q: Is a license required to install, repair,
or perform maintenance work on an air tank?
A: No
Q: When must air tanks be inspected?
A: Air tanks must be inspected internally and
externally after initial installation and then once every two
years.
Q: Are any air tanks excluded from the
inspection requirements?
A: Yes, air tanks under 1 cubic foot capacity
and tanks that have a safety valve set for less than 50 psi.
Q: How do I obtain a certificate of
inspection for my air tank?
A:
1. First, obtain a First Inspection
Application at http://www.mass.gov/dps
2. Complete the front page of the
application, including contact name and phone number of
person requesting the inspection
3. Submit with the appropriate $25
inspection fee
4. Send the completed application along
with the fee to the address indicated on the application
5. Following receipt of the application,
a District Engineering Inspector will call you to arrange
for the inspection.
Q: What is the insurance requirement?
A: There is no insurance
requirement, however, if you do not have insurance, you are
required to have your air tank inspected by the Department every
2 years
Miscellaneous (FAQ)
Q: What type of remote monitoring system does the
Department require for compliance with the rules regarding
non-continuous attendance?
A: The monitoring device must immediately
audibly and visibly notify the licensed boiler operator that an
abnormal boiler condition exists. This device must also provide
the operator with a means to immediately shut down the boiler.
The operator must be in the same building.
Q: What are the requirements of the
maintenance log book?
A: By law, the licensed engineer shall
perform daily maintenance which shall be logged. Minimum
maintenance requirements may be found in the Operator's State
Log Book, which may be found on-line at http://www.mass.gov/dps/applicat.htm. Additional
logs and round sheets are strongly encouraged.
Q: With Continuous Attendance, does an
operator have to remain within the site of the boiler gauge
glass or in the same boiler room?
A: Continuous attendance requires that a
licensed operator attend the boiler during all times of
operation. This is meant to ensure that the operator is aware of
abnormal or unsafe boiler or steam engine conditions, and is
able to respond immediately within the boiler room.
Q: If an operator is in a room adjacent to
the boiler, and can see the gage through a clear glass window,
will the operator satisfy the requirement for continuous
attendance?
A: Only if the licensed operator can see and
recognize an unsafe or abnormal condition, and has the ability
to correct the condition immediately.
Q: If an adjoining or enclosed walkway is
added between two buildings, can the operator go between
buildings in a non-continuous attendance facility?
A: No. By law, the operator cannot leave the
building. The Massachusetts State Building Code defines the
boundary of a building. Adjoining two separate buildings by an
enclosed walkway does not qualify them as one building under the
Code.
Q: When can a person be in charge of two
plants?
A: Chapter 146 allows an engineer to be in
charge of two plants under two conditions:
1. If the additional plant is within one mile
from the specific plant that the engineer or fireman is
designated to be in charge of, or,
2. If a licensed second or third class
engineer or fireman is in attendance at both facilities and the
operator performs his duties under the supervision of such
engineer or fireman.
Q: Does this mean a fireman can perform the
duties of a second class engineer, if he is chief of two plants
and performing the duties under the supervision of the engineer?
A: No. By law, no one shall have charge of a
steam boiler unless he has the appropriate license. A 2nd
Engineer may be chief of two plants provided that the second
plant also has a 2nd Engineer performing his duties under his
supervision at all times. See G.L. c.146,
§46.
Q: I am trying to determine how modular hot
water heating boilers should be numbered. I have done
inspections at facilities where the modular boilers were
considered as one boiler and received only one "W" number. The
four boilers were tied into one supply header with no
intervening valves, had one low water cutoff, and one relief
valve which exceeded the combined firing capacities of the
burners. I recently did an inspection where each modular unit
had its own "W" number. Which numbering system is correct?
A: If you have a string of boilers tied to a
common header, the codes are clear on what is required. Having
one relief valve for a series of boilers is completely
unacceptable and unsafe. If you run the calculations you will
be able to determine this. Each boiler shall have an individual
Massachusetts tag number, not each string of boilers.
Q: I have a high pressure boiler supplying
steam to a turbine. I would like to tie a low pressure boiler
and high pressure boiler into a common header to supply low
pressure steam during a plant startup. Are there any specific
requirements that I need to look at when installing the lower
pressure boiler?
A: The Massachusetts Board of Boiler Rules
has adopted the National Board Inspection Code. The NBIC
addresses requirements for piping together boilers that have
different maximum allowable working pressures. RB-3570 (a) of
the National Board Inspection Code states the following:
"If boilers are piped together
with maximum allowable working pressures differing by more
than 6%, additional protective devices may be required on
the lower pressure units to protect them from overpressure
from the higher pressure unit."
To clarify this, it is required that the steam
line header between the low pressure boiler and its first stop
valve shall have safety valve(s) attached with the capacity to
prevent the pressure from rising above the MAWP of the lower
pressure boiler. If you need further guidance in determining the
appropriate capacity, please contact the Department with more
specific information on your project.
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