- Board of Stationary Engineers
- Computerized Monitoring and Automatic Controls
- Filing a Complaint
- Heating Boilers
- Horsepower Determination
- License Categories
- License Requirements
- Penalties
- Portable or Leased Boilers
- Power Source
- Reciprocity with Other States
- Refrigeration Compressors
- Refrigeration Equipment
- Scope of the Law
1. Board of Stationary Engineers
What is the Board's mission and purpose?
The Board of Stationary Engineers administers a licensing program to ensure that qualified individuals
provide stationary engineer services to protect the public; provide for the safe operation of power
plants, plants of machinery and boilers; and to promote high professional
standards (Section
6.5-102 of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act, Business Occupations and Professions Article,
Annotated Code of Maryland).
Who monitors facilities to ensure compliance with stationary engineer's requirements?
Section 6.5-206(a) of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act,
(Business Occupations and Professions
Article, Annotated Code of Maryland) states that the Board may investigate any complaint that alleges a
violation of this title.
When did Maryland implement the requirement for having stationary engineers employed to operate
boilers and plants of machinery?
The current Statewide licensing requirements went into effect in 2005. Prior to that date, there was a
Board of Examining Engineers.
Where can I find Maryland laws and regulations pertaining to stationary engineers?
The Maryland Stationary Engineers Act is found in the Business Occupations and Professions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Regulations promulgated by the Board can be found in
Code of Maryland Regulations
(COMAR), Title 09, Subtitle 17. The statutory and regulatory provisions governing the provision of stationary engineer services is are available online by visiting the Board's webpage and clicking on the
"Laws" tab and then following the link to the Act.
2. Computerized Monitoring and Automatic Controls
What does the law mean when it refers to "24-hour computerized monitoring system and automatic
controls"?
The Board's regulations applicable to computerized monitoring systems can be found in COMAR
09.17.02.01 through .09.
3. Filing a Complaint
How do I file a complaint with the Board?
An individual may file a complaint with the Board by completing and signing a complaint form. Please
include as many details as possible. Copies of any documentation to support the allegations should be
provided. You may mail the completed complaint form to: Maryland Board of Stationary Engineers,
500 North Calvert Street, Third Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.
4. Heating Boilers
Are heating boilers exempt from stationary engineer's requirements?
Exemptions to the license requirement are included in Section 6.5-301(b) of the Maryland Stationary
Engineers Act, (Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of
Maryland). A "heating boiler," as defined in Section 6.5-101(d) of the Maryland Stationary Engineers
Act, (Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland), is specifically
excluded from the definition of the term, "provide stationary engineer services," set forth in
Section 6.5-101(f)(2) of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act, (Business Occupations and Professions
Article, Annotated Code of Maryland). A "heating boiler" means (1) a steam boiler that operates at
pressures not exceeding 15 psig; or (2) a hot water boiler that operates at pressures not exceeding
160 psig or temperatures not exceeding 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Accordingly, these units are not
included in the licensing requirements pursuant to Section 6.5-101(f)(2) of the Act, which states
that "provide stationary engineer service" does not include overseeing the operation of a heating
boiler.
5. Horsepower Determination
Is the grade of license required based upon the sum of the horsepower ratings of all the
equipment in the plant?
No. The grade of license required is based on the horsepower and operating pressure for the largest,
single piece of equipment located in the plant, not the combined total, source of power, or any other
information about the object(s).
6. License Categories
How do I determine the appropriate category of license for an individual assigned to oversee the
machinery at my plant?
The appropriate license category is determined based on the horsepower and operating pressure for the
largest, single piece of equipment located in the plant, not the combined total, power source, or any
other information about the vessel(s).
Section 6.5-302 of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act, (Business Occupations and Professions
Article, Annotated Code of Maryland) sets forth the authority of each license grade:
Grade 1 Engineer: Engineer 500 or more horsepower (in any building)
Grade 2 Engineer: Engineer 300 to 499 horsepower (in any building)
Grade 3 Engineer: Engineer 100 to 299 horsepower (in any building)
Grade 4 Engineer: Engineer 30 to 99 horsepower (in any building regardless of use)
Grade 5 Engineer: Engineer 30 to 99 horsepower (in a building not open for public use)
7. License Requirements
Why do I need to have a stationary engineer to operate our boilers, we have been operating fine
without a stationary engineer for years.
The Maryland Legislature established a statewide license for stationary engineers in order to protect
the public, provide for the safe operation of power plants, plants of machinery and boilers; and to
promote high professional standards. Section 6.5-102 of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act,
(Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland). Section 6.5-401 of the
Act also prohibits a person from performing, attempting to perform the functions of a stationary
engineer the functions of a stationary engineer in the State unless licensed by the Board in the
appropriate grade to provide such services. Section 6.5-404 of the Act states that a person who
violates Section 6.5-401 of the Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a
fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or both, and on a second or
subsequent conviction, a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.
In addition, the Board may also impose an administrative sanction against any a person who violates
an applicable section of the Title.
What counties in Maryland require stationary engineers and where is this information published?
Section 6.5-301 of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act, (Business Occupations and Professions
Article, Annotated Code of Maryland) states that an individual shall be licensed by the Board to
provide stationary engineer services in the State. The license requirement is statewide and does
not vary by county or local municipality.
Our plant requires a 1st grade stationary engineer; we have advertised for months to fill the
position without success. Can we request a wavier for the 1st Grade stationary engineer's requirements
and hire a 2nd grade stationary engineer?
The Board does not have the authority to waive the licensing requirement.
8. Penalties
What are the penalties for operating a boiler without having the appropriate license?
Section 6.5-404 of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act, (Business Occupations and Professions
Article, Annotated Code of Maryland) addresses penalties for violating the Act. Any person who
violates Section 6.5-401, 6.5-402 or 6.5-403 of the Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction
is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or both, and on a
second or subsequent conviction, a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years
or both. An individual who violates any other provision of the Act is subject to a penalty not
exceeding $5,000.
Further, pursuant to Section 6.5-314 of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act, (Business Occupations
and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland), the Board deny a license to an applicant or
impose an administrative sanction on a licensee who violates a provision of the applicable laws or
regulations, that includes a reprimand, license suspension or license revocation and a civil monetary
penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation.
9. Portable or Leased Boilers
Our plant has two boilers out of service for repairs. We are currently leasing a 700 HP portable
boiler to meet our steam requirements. Do we need a stationary engineer to operate a leased portable
boiler?
Yes, a license is required to operate a leased or portable boiler if the boiler is otherwise required
to be operated by a licensed individual. The owner or operator of portable or leased or stationary
equipment shall comply with §6.5-302 where it is required that the object is inspected in accordance
with the Maryland Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act and Regulations and that it have a valid Certificate
of Inspection issued by the Commissioner of the Division of Labor and Industry; Maryland Department of
Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
10. Power Source
Our plant generates power for the town using large diesel engines; are we required to have a
stationary engineer license to operate our plant of machinery?
Yes. Diesel-powered engines are not specifically exempted in the law. Therefore, as set forth in
Section 6.5-101 of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act (Business Occupations and Professions Article,
Annotated Code of Maryland), oversight by an appropriately-licensed stationary engineer is required.
Section 6.5-101(f) of the Act states that to "provide stationary engineer services" means to oversee
the operation of a power plant, plant of machinery, or boiler, each generating pressure of more that
15 PSI and operating at 30 or more horsepower.
11. Reciprocity with
Other States
I recently moved to Maryland from New Jersey. I hold a New Jersey stationary engineers license,
will the State of Maryland honor my current license and issue me an equivalent Maryland stationary
engineers license. If so how do I go about obtaining a reciprocal license?
At this time, Maryland and New Jersey do not hold a reciprocal agreement for a stationary engineers
license examination waiver. Section 6.5-306.1 of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act, (Business
Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland) grants the Board the authority to
authorize examinations for certain grades based upon an individual's work experience.
Section 6.5-306.1(d) of the Act authorizes the Board to waive the examination requirements for a
BRAC (the Base Realignment and Closure process as announced by the United States Department of Defense)
applicant if the applicant files a request with the Board before July 1, 2012, pays the application
fee, holds an active stationary engineer's license in good standing from Virginia or New Jersey
(or from a locality of one of those states that is equivalent to the State license), has experience
in the provision of stationary engineer services that meets the time requirements of Section 6.5-303
of the Act, and has relocated to the State as a family member of a BRAC employee.
12. Refrigeration Compressors
I have a universal refrigeration certificate and operate large centrifugal refrigeration
compressors; do I need a stationary engineers license?
Yes, a stationary engineer license is needed to operate a large refrigeration compressor. As
refrigeration equipment is not specifically exempted in the law, if a piece of refrigeration
equipment falls within the definition of a "boiler," as set forth in Section 6.5-101 of the
Maryland Stationary Engineers Act (Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of
Maryland), oversight by an appropriately-licensed stationary engineer is required.
13. Refrigeration Equipment
Our plant of machinery has no boilers, only refrigeration equipment; do we require a stationary
engineer's license?
Yes, the operator of the refrigeration equipment is required to hold a stationary engineer license.
As refrigeration equipment is not specifically exempted in the law, as set forth in Section 6.5-101
of the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act (Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated
Code of Maryland), oversight by an appropriately-licensed stationary engineer is required.
14. Scope of the Law
Does this law apply to equipment other than a boiler?
The Board has determined that the scope of the law includes all equipment actually or normally found in
a facility which may be known as a power plant, or plant of machinery, or boiler room, or factory, or
industrial or commercial enterprise, or educational or residential or health related facility, or place
of private or public gathering.
The equipment may include a boiler, a pressure vessel, a furnace, a heater, a heat exchanger, an
autoclave or sterilizer or cooker, a motor, an engine, a generator, a fan, a pump, a compressor, a
separator, a precipitator, a refrigerator, a chiller, an air handler, a filter, a water treatment
system, a fire suppression system, a press, a roller, a mill, a welder, a hydraulic system, a
cylinder, an extruder, or any other equipment or system which may create a hazard to life, limb, or
property if not operated or maintained in accordance with codes, standards, manufacturer's
recommendations, or good engineering practice.
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