The National Association of Power Engineers
JOIN NAPE
WHAT IS NAPE ?
The National Association of Power Engineers is an organization aimed at enhancing the professional competence of Stationary Engineers and associated support people through continuing education and public awareness.
WHO BELONGS TO NAPE ?
Typically our people are involved in some aspect of the power and energy industry either as Operating Engineers, Operations or Maintenance/technical support. In addition, Building & Facilities operations and maintenance.
PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER 18 SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
POWER ENGINEER
A Power Engineer operates and maintains equipment that is essential to power generation, heating, ventilation, humidity control, and air conditioning in industrial plants, institutions, and other building complexes. They perform in a responsible manner as a technical expert in operating, maintaining, and repairing engineering plants consisting of steam boilers, pressure vessels, internal combustion engines, turbines, refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, generators, motors, pumps, compressors, distillation units, and similar equipment. They must operate and maintain equipment according to state and local laws and codes, because the health and safety of many people depend upon the proper operation and functioning of the engineering plant equipment.
As a lower grade power engineer, they are under the general direction of a Chief Operating Engineer or engineer holding a higher grade license whose license is equal to or above the requirements needed to operate the plant, and perform those duties prescribed by the higher grade engineer. As they advance their licenses through experience and study, they become qualified to take charge of an entire engineering plant operation. Through on-the-job training and application of study courses, they attain the skills and knowledge required.
Power engineers may advance to many jobs associated with the profession as they become adequately educated and trained. Under proper engineering direction, they may perform duties of an engineering technician, draftsman, or estimator, designing, planning, estimating, erecting, inspecting, and testing engineering equipment. They may engage in activities connected with research and development, servicing and testing of materials, sales engineering and representation, or industrial activities.
When licensed, the power engineer has clearly established a level of competency. As their level rises through experience and education, they have the opportunity to improve their level of certification through several license classifications (NIULPE). Encouragement toward professional advancement is a vital element towards sound personnel policies. Advancement in licensing should move the power engineer closer to the management team. The power engineer will undoubtedly acquire a sense of achievement and pride when they display their license on the wall of their work area.