Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on February 7, 2007, to impose new requirements on steam boiler operators, including new categories of licensure and registration, new fees, new training and experience standards, etc. See the House Fiscal Agency analysis for details

The vote was 90 in favor, 19 opposed and 1 not voting

(House Roll Call 34 at House Journal 25)

Click here to view bill details.

Another bad solution looking for a problem.

- The bill is designed to promote the safe day-to-day operation, maintenance and energy conservation. - The Boiler Act of 1965 regulates the construction, use and repair of boilers used to generate steam power for power plants but not the operaton of. - Presently, boiler inspectors, installers and repairers are required to be licensed but not operators. - HB 4216 calls for the voluntary - VOLUNTARY - registration of boiler operators and stationary engineers. - Some cities and municipalities require licensing. HB 4216 will implement a state-wide uniform set of standards for registration of operators and engineers consistent with those cities and municipalities. - Boiler operator profession has asked for this legislation which would provide for uniform registration throughout the state. - American Society of Mechanical Engineers recognized the need for this type oflegislation when they state in their rules "operators should be thoroughly trained so they can maintain safe and continuous operation." - This bill does not create a new administrative body. The Board of Boiler Rules was created by the Boiler Act of 1965 and it would have the responsibility of establishing the course content and administering the exams. The Board has been in existence for over 30 years and currently administers the exams for the boiler inspectors. - It's important to keep in mind that, while there are unfortunately many cases where there has been loss of life and property because of inadequately trained boiler operators and stationary engineers, it is difficult to gauge what other future catastrophes may occur because of poorly trained personnel.

I agree that this is a good thing but to give out licenses as if they were candy just for being a part of a operations team for 4-6 years is crazy i know i worked and studied hard for my dearborn test and i have 9 yrs as a millwight at consumers and 18 yrs running 150K to 360K boilers and 5-35 KW turbines and i had to do alot of catching up to todays standards to be current , its a ongoing process but to give out licenses based on time on job is crazy and undermines the work detroit and dearborn have provided for many years

Concerning the requirements for becoming a stationary engineer #1 the way i read it is a person only needs 6yrs running a boiler with +20k HS to get to a #1 what about experience in gas turbines which is required to be a stationary eng in most other states, including ASOPE/NIULPE licenses

I believe the idea is right but to grandfather everyone in without some type of testing defeats the purpose of certification.