N.J. Admin. Code § 12:90-3.9

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 12:90-3.9 - Chief engineer and scope of certain licenses

(a) When more than one licensed person is required to operate a high pressure boiler, refrigeration plant or power generating plant, whether or not the operators are employed on the same shift, the management of the plant shall designate one lead person, commonly called a chief engineer to establish responsibility for operations. Chief engineers are not required for low pressure plants.

(b) The engineer designated as chief engineer shall be permitted to serve as chief engineer in one plant location only and must be a full-time employee of the company responsible for the operation of the high pressure boilers, power generating or refrigeration plants. In the case where the chief engineer is a contract employee, the employee shall be under full time control of facility management responsible for the equipment. The designation shall be in writing and be on file at the plant location where the chief engineer is employed.

(c) The designated chief engineer may also be a shift engineer.

(d) The chief engineer designated in (a) above shall hold the proper grade and classification of license as provided by N.J.A.C. 12:90-3.4 through 3.8.

(e) The Bureau of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Compliance may recognize an engineer holding a license one grade lower than that required to serve as acting chief engineer on a temporary basis provided:

1. Every reasonable effort has been made by the employer to obtain a properly licensed chief engineer;

2. The candidate has submitted an acceptable application for examination for the higher grade license;

i. The requirement of (e)2 above may be waived for acting chief status if it is based upon an increase in plant size which mandates a higher grade license as provided in N.J.A.C. 12:90-3.4 through 3.8, but it shall not exceed the period established in the eligibility requirements for the higher grade license; and

3. The employer has submitted a request in writing for the acting chief engineer status.

(f) A boiler operator holding a boiler operator in charge license may act as chief engineer of an installation of 500 boiler horsepower or less. He or she may assume charge of a shift, under the supervision of a properly licensed chief engineer, in installations not over 1,000 boiler horsepower. When the total capacity exceeds 1,000 boiler horsepower, he or she may act as boiler operator, under the direction of, and responsible to, a properly licensed engineer in charge of his or her shift. (See Tables 3.4 and 3.7)

(g) An engineer holding a C or third grade license of the proper classification may act as chief engineer of any plant where the total capacity of the equipment involved does not exceed 1,000 boiler horsepower, 100 engine horsepower or 65 tons refrigerating capacity. He or she may also act as operating engineer, under the supervision of a properly licensed chief engineer, in installations exceeding the above limits. (See Tables 3.4, 3.7 and 3.8)

(h) An engineer holding a B or second grade license of the proper classification may act as chief engineer of any plant where the total capacity of the equipment involved does not exceed 3,000 boiler horsepower, 500 engine horsepower or 300 tons refrigerating capacity. He or she may also act as operating engineer, under the supervision of a properly licensed chief engineer, in installations exceeding the above limits. (See Tables 3.4, 3.7 and 3.8)

(i) An engineer holding an A or first grade license of the proper classification may act as chief engineer in any plant. See Tables 3.4, 3.7 and 3.8)

N.J. Admin. Code § 12:90-3.9

Amended by R.1990 d.24, effective 1/16/1990.
See: 21 New Jersey Register 3247(a), 22 New Jersey Register 235(a).
Full-time employee requirement added at (c).
Amended by R.1994 d.599, effective 12/5/1994.
See: 26 New Jersey Register 3810(a), 26 New Jersey Register 4828(a).
Amended by R.1997 d.537, effective 1/5/1998.
See: 29 New Jersey Register 3416(a), 30 New Jersey Register 73(a).
Deleted former (b); recodified (c) through (j) as (b) through (i); in (b), inserted a second sentence; and inserted (e)2i.