EXAMINATION SYLLABUS FOR

ENGINEERS CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

(STEAM AND INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES)
EXAMINATION

JKKP : GP (I) 1/97

ISBN 983-99156-3-0

Published by :
The Panel of Examiners
Department of Occupational Safety and Health
Malaysia

Preface
This is the revised version of the examination syllabus for Engineer's Certificate of
Competency (Steam and Internal Combustion Engines) Examinations. An update
has been made to the existing syllabus including the inclusion of a new curriculum
on gas turbines for those sitting for the Internal Combustion Engines examination. At
the Panel of Examiners meeting on 31st. July 1996, the Panel has agreed on the
revised content of the new syllabus.
This syllabus was discussed and agreed upon by members of The Panel of
Examiners which consist of the following:
Ir Haji Abu Bakar Che Man

Chairman

Ir Chan Mun Chow

Ir Ahmad Fauzi Hasan
En Ludin Embong
En Amir Haji Yahya
En Daud Sulaiman
Ir Rosli Hussin
Tuan Syed Mohd Abdul Fatah
En Zabidi Dato Mohd Adib
Ir Mohtar Mu sri
En Anuar Mohd Mokhtar
Tuan Haji Mohamad Jamil
En Omar Mat Piah
En Ke Geok Chuan
En Zahrim Osman
En Ahmad Shahrom Mohd Yunus

Secretary

Ir Zakaria Nanyan
Director General
Department of Occupational and Health
Malaysia
December 1996

iii

CONTENTS

Preface

iii

1.

Introductory Remarks

2.

Second Grade Engineer (Steam) Examination Syllabus

3.

Second Grade Engineer (ICE) Examination Syllabus

10

4.

First Grade Engineer (Steam) Examination Syllabus

16

5.

First Grade Engineer (ICE) Examination Syllabus

22

6.

List of reference books

29

iv

This examination syllabus for steam and internal combustion engine

engineers have been revised and agreed upon by the Panel of Examiners of the
Department of Occupational Safety and Health. The purpose of this syllabus is to
assist candidates sitting for the examination. Section 29 of The Factories and
Machinery Act 1967 requires certain machinery to be operated by certificated staff.
They are steam boilers and internal combustion engines (ICE). The Act also requires
certain machinery to be operated and supervised by a "Competent Person". For this
purpose there are two types of certification namely Engineers and Drivers in which
each certification is divided into two classes namely first and second grades. The
class of driver or engineer required to operate any steam boiler is determined based
on the total heating surface of the boiler whilst for the ICE, it will be based on the
total horse power of the ICE. All provisions related to the grade of engineers and
drivers in relation to the size of machine they take charge are clearly stipulated in
The Factories and Machinery (Persons-in-Charge) Regulations 1970. However,
there are exemptions given to certain types of boilers and ICE's which do not require
certificated engineers or drivers. For steam boilers, they are the electrode steam
boiler, the steam tube oven, the steam tube hot plate, the autoclave and any other
steam boiler in which the steam generated is retained inside the boiler. For ICE's
they are ICE's with a capacity of 40 horse power or less, ICE's attached to a hoisting
machinery and ICE's which inspire fuel by means of a carburettor.

The objective of this syllabus is to assist and to guide candidates who will be
sitting for their relevant examination. The syllabus has been developed in such a way
that it covers most parts of the topics in the appropriate field. It is also intended to
ensure safe operation of the machines. The examinations are divided into three
categories:
(i)

Part A -Practical Mathematics

(ii)

Part B -Engineering Knowledge

(iii)

Part C -Oral Examination

Candidates who hold a recognized degree in Mechanical Engineering are exempted

from parts A and B, whereas candidates from other disciplines and with other
qualifications have to sit for at least two categories. However there are special cases
where exemptions may be given with the approval of the Panel of Examiners.

This part will consist of two (2) papers namely

Paper I
Paper II

3 hours
2 hours

This part will consist of two (2) papers namely

Paper I
Paper II

3 hours
2 hours

The candidates will be examined for their knowledge in the safe operation of
the machine and its allied equipment.
The syllabus covers the following certification:
Second Grade Engineer (Steam)

Practical Mathematics which includes Applied Mechanics, Elementary

Strength of Materials, and Heat and Heat Engines.

Engineering Knowledge which includes Principle of Operation of Steam

Boilers and Their Fittings, Boiler Fuel and Theory of Combustion, Principle of
Operation of Steam Turbines, Boiler House Management and Boiler Repair,
and General Engineering Knowledge which includes Construction Materials,
Properties of Materials, Properties of Steam, Mechanical Working of Steel,
Failure of Materials, Welding, and NOT.

Oral examination on the management and safe operation of steam plant.

Second Grade Engineer (Internal Combustion Engine)

Practical Mathematics which includes Applied Mechanics, Elementary

Strength of Materials, and Heat and Heat Engines.

Engineering Knowledge which includes Principle of Operation of Gas

Turbines and Diesel Engines, Their Fittings and Auxilliary Equipment, Fuel,
Theory of Combustion, Engine Room Management, and General Engineering
Knowledge which includes Construction Materials, Mechanical Working of
Steel, Property of Materials, Failure of Materials, Welding, and NDT.

Oral examination on the management and safe operation of ICE plant.

First Grade Engineer (Steam)

Practical Mathematics which includes Applied Mechanics, Strength of

Materials, Heat and heat engines, and Applied Thermodynamics.

Engineering Knowledge which include Principle of Operation of Steam and

Hot Water Boiler, and Their Fittings, Boiler Fuel and Theory of Combustion,
Principle of Operation of Steam Turbines, Boiler Water Treatment and
Analysis, Boiler Maintenance, Inspection and Repair, Boiler House
Management and other General Engineering Knowledge which includes
Construction Materials, Properties of Materials, Properties of Steam,
Mechanical Working of Steel, Failure of Materials, Welding and Nondestructive testing.

Oral examination on the management and safe maintenance and operation of

steam plant, and related requirements of Acts and Regulations.

First Grade Engineer (Internal Combustion Engine)

Practical Mathematics which includes Applied Mechanics, Strength of

Materials, Heat and Heat engines, and Applied Thermodynamics.

Engineering Knowledge which include Gas Turbine Power Plant

Fundamentals Operational Systems, Fuel and Combustion, Materials,
Mechanical Working of Steel Theory of Lubrication, Welding and NonDestructive Testing.

Oral examination on the knowledge of managing the plant in terms of safe

operation and maintenance, and related requirements of Acts and
Regulations.

Under the Factories and Machinery Act, 1967 a "steam boiler" is defined as
any closed vessel in which for any purpose steam is generated under pressure
greater than atmospheric pressure, and includes any economiser used to heat water
being fed to such vessel, and any superheater used for heating steam and any pipes
and fitting connected thereto.
Internal Combustion Engine
Under the Factories and Machinery Act, 1971. All "internal combustion
engines" (ICE) have to be under the charge of persons holding a Certificate of
Competency except for an ICE installed in a hoisting machine, an ICE with a
capacity of not more than forty horse-power and an ICE which inspires fuel by
means of a carburrettor. As agreed by the Panel of Examiners, ICE's also include
gas turbines.

1.1

PART A -PRACTICAL MA THEMA TICS

This part will consist of two (2) papers namely Paper I Paper II -

3 hours
2 hours

and candidates will be examined for their knowledge in Applied Mechanics,

Elementary Strength of Materials, and Thermodynamics. Detail of these are
as follows (a)

Applied Mechanics
(i)

Forces, Mass, Impulse, Momentum, Work and Energy Power

Forces acting on rigid body; Moments of forces; Compositions and
resolutions of forces; Laws of solid and liquid friction (Friction angle
and inclined plane); Mechanical advantage and efficiency of simple
machines; Condition of equilibrium of solids and simple frame
structures and beams; Moment of momentum, moment of inertia, their
relation and measurement; Conservation of energy and momentum;
Rectilinear motion of body under constant or variable forces; Equation
of motion of a particle; and Motion of a body in a circular path with
uniform speed.

(ii)

Pressure and velocity change along a stream line

Bernoulli's theorem; and Flow through orifice

(b)

Elementary Strength of Materials

Hooke's Law; Young's Modulus; Poisson's Ratio; Modulus of Rigidity; Thermal
stress; Theory of simple bending; Bending moment and shearing forces
diagrams; Theory of torsion of solid and hollow round shafts; Analysis of
stress; and Theory of thin shell and strength of rivetted and welded joints.

(c)

Thermodynamics
(i)

Heat Units
B. Th.U.; C.H.U; gm-cal; and Joules

(ii)

The Law of Perfect Gas

Absolute temperature; Isothermal, adiabatic and polytropic expansion
and compression; Specific heat Cp and Cv and their relationship; and
internal energy, enthalpy and entropy.

(iii)

Heat Transfer
Heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation -simple
application; Properties of steam (change of state, latent heat, wet, dry
saturated and superheated steam, dryness fraction); Use of steam
table; Throttling; Separating and throttling calorimeter; and Boiler
efficiency.

(iv)

Reciprocating Steam Engine

Indicator diagrams (hypothetical and actual); Diagram factor; M.e.p,
h.p, and b.h.p; and Compounded engines (thermal, mechanical and
overall efficiency).

(v)

Steam Turbine
Elementary principles; Simple velocity diagrams; Steam turbine
efficiency; and Principles of energy boundary.

(vi)

Combustion of Fuel (solid, liquid and gases)

Higher and lower calorific values; Chemical equations (stoichiometry);
Excess air; and, Incomplete combustion of fuel.

(vii)

Refrigeration -Vapour Compression Cycle

Coefficient of performance; and capacity.

1.2

PART B - ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE

This part consist of two (2) papers namely (i)
(ii)

Paper l
Paper II

- 3 hours
- 2 hours

and candidates will be examined for their knowledge on the following subjects
(a)

Steam and Hot Water Boilers

Different types of boilers (e.g. fire and water tubes boilers, vertical shell type,
multitubular underfired, economic package and waste heat); Constructional
details; Mountings and fittings (e.g. water level gauges, steam pressure
gauge, feed water regulator, safety valves, main stop valve, globe valve, gate
valve, check valve, non-return valve); flue gas path pattern (singular or
multiple, and function of baffle plates); and, Starting cold boilers, operating
under emergency situations, idling procedure and maintenance (tubes, shell,
drums, headers, superheater, economiser, furnace, air heater, pumps, fans
and stacks).

(b)

Combustion of Fuels
Theory of combustion (condition, constant temperature, constant volume and
constant pressure); Combustion process (supply air, air-fuel mixture,
combustion temperature, combustion time, combustion gases, and
temperature of combustion gases); Gas analysing technique; and, Draft
(natural, forced, draft differential, and factors affecting draft).

(c)

Measuring Gauges and Instruments

The purpose, basic working principles, constructional details and functions of
the main parts of commonly used gauges and instrument (e.g. pressure
gauge, thermometer, pyrometer, barometer, salinometer, and hydrometer).

(d)

Boiler Repair, Inspection and Maintenence

Repairs of tubes, shell, furnace, fittings and ancillary machinery including the
statutory and technical (standards and codes) requirements; Internal and
external inspection (procedure and implementation); and, Maintenance (daily,
routine and planned).

(e)

Boiler Fuel
Solid fuel (e.g. coal, lignite, wood and wood waste); Liquid fuel (petroleum oil,
black liquor and other chemical derivatives); gaseous fuel (LPG, natural gas
and waste heat); composition and properties of different types of fuel; and,
advantage and disadvantage of different type of fuels.

(f)

Boiler Water Treatment

Pure water; Impurities; Contaminated feedwater; external and internal
treatment; Hard scale; Soft scale; Carry over; Priming; Foaming; and, Water
treatment programme.

(g)

Steam Properties
Steam (wet, saturated, superheated, degree of superheat and fraction);
Temperature-entropy and temperature-enthalpy diagrams; and, application of
wet and superheated steam.

(h)

Pump and Compressor

Basic working principles, selection criteria, advantages and disadvantages of
different types of compressors and pumps.

(i)

Steam Turbines
Types and working principles (impulse, reaction, combination of impulse and
reaction); and, Safe operation (start-up and shut-down).

(j)

Condensers
Types and working principles, construction and construction materials, and
maintenance.

(k)

Governors
Types and working principles, function in turbine, and relay mechanism

(l)

Materials
Chemical (e.g. carbon, phosphorus, silicon, manganese, chromium, nickel,
molybdenum, cadmium) and physical properties of construction materials;
Mechanical testing (tensile, bend, hardness, nick break and charpy test);
Stress-strain relationship (proportional limit, yield point, ultimate stress,
permanent set, breaking stress point and elastic limit); Heat treatment (e.g.
annealing, normalising, stress releiving, spheroidising, hardening and
tempering) and effect on microstructure; and, Solution treatment.

(m)

Mechanical Working of Steel

Hot work (forging and rolling) and cold work (cold roll and cold working)

(n)

Creep and Fatigue

Creep and fatigue behaviour, factors affecting and testing method.

(o)

Corrosion and Control

Causes (chemical attack, electro-chemical attack and stress influenced);
Prevention and control (surface protection, metal cladding, electroplating);
surface modification (e.g. cladding and chroming), metal spraying, painting,
and cathodic protection.

(p)

Welding
Basic principles and different types (e.g. shielded-arc, gas shielded metal arc,
gas shielded tungsten-arc, plasma-arc, electroslag, stud and gas welding);
Weld joint and preparation (butt, lap, fillet and nozzle); Welding defects (e.g.
cracks, cavities, inclusions, lack of penetration, and fusion, imperfect shape),
methods of detection and repairs; and, Destructive testing (e.g. tensile test,
bend test, hardness test, proof test, fatigue test).

(q)

Non-Destructive Testing
Non-destructive testing (radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic particle test, dye
penetrant test and eddy-current); NDT operator qualification programme
(national and international); Welding Procedure Qualification and Welder
Performance Qualification Test.

1.3

Part C -Oral Examination

The candidates will be examined for their knowledge in the safe operation of a
Steam Boiler and other auxilliaries. Detail of these are as follows
(i)

Working principles of various type of steam and hot water boilers,

steam turbines and steam engines, and their fittings and functions.
Note: The candidate is expected to know the operation of all types of
boilers, steam engines and steam turbines.

(iii)

Boiler operation (e.g Start-up procedure, shut-down, emergency

situation, conditional monitoring (e.g. water hammer, priming, foaming,
familiarisation with all safety features etc). Installation of new boiler,
various type of testing (water gaguge test, steam test etc.); and Basic
boiler water treatment.

(iv)

Boiler House management (e.g. Managing Log Book, Safety and

Health aspects in boiler room)

(iv)

Plant safety management (Policy statement, arrangement,

implementation, accident prevention); Contingency Plan / Emergency
Response Plan.

(v)

The candidate is expected to know how to sketch the steam boiler,

piping system, fittings etc.

(vi)

Related provisions under The Factories and Machinery Act 1967 and
regulations made thereunder.

(vii)

Identification of parts (e.g. defected samples, failure tubes etc) and

common boiler deposits.

(viii)

Boiler inspections (defects identification, proposal for repair, codes and

procedures).

2.1

PART A - PRACTICAL MATHEMATICS

This part will consist of two (2) papers namely
Paper l
Paper 11

3 hours
2 hours

and candidates will be examined for their knowledge in Applied Mechanics,

Elementary Strength of Materials, and Thermodynamics. Detail of these are
as follows (a)

Applied Mechanics
(i)

Forces, Mass, Impulse, Momentum, Work and Energy, Power

Forces acting on rigid body; Moments of forces; Compositions
and resolutions of forces; Laws of solid and liquid friction
(Friction angle and inclined plane); Mechanical advantage and
efficiency of simple machines; Condition of equilibrium of solids
and simple frame structures and beams; Moment of momentum,
moment of inertia, their relation and measurement; Conservation
of energy and momentum; Rectilinear motion of body under
constant or variable forces; Equation of motion of a particle; and,
Motion of a body in a circular path with uniform speed.

(ii)

Pressure and velocity change along a stream line

Bernoulli's theorem; and Flow through orifice

(b)

Elementary Strength of Materials

Hooke's Law; Young's Modulus; Poisson's Ratio; Modulus of Rigidity;
Thermal stress; Theory of simple bending; Bending moment and
shearing forces diagrams; Theory of torsion of solid and hollow round
shafts; Analysis of stress; and, Theory of thin shell and strength of
rivetted and welded joints.

10

(c)

Thermodynamics
(i)

Heat Units
B.Th.U.; C.H.U; gm-cal; and Joules.

(ii)

The Law of Perfect Gas

Absolute temperature; Isothermal, adiabatic and polytropic expansion
and compresston; Specific heat and specific volume and their
relatioship; and internal energy, enthalpy and entropy.

(iii)

Rotary expander and compressor

Indicator diagrams (hypothetical and actual); Diagram factor; M.e.p,
h.p, and b.h.p.; and Compounded engines (thermal, mechanical and
overall efficiency).

(iv)

Heat Balance for Engine

Elementary principles and cycles of operations of internal combustion
engines and air compressors; Constant volume; the diesel and dual
cycles; Calculation of work done; and Cam ( cam diagrams for internal
combustion engines, and angles of cam peak centre lines relative to
crank).

(v)

Gas Turbine and Compressor

Elementary principles (axial flow and radial flow); Simple velocity
diagrams; Performance characteristics and efficiencies; and Principles
of energy boundry.

(vii)

Combustion of Fuel
Higher and lower calorific values; Chemical equations (stoichiometry);
Excess air; and Incomplete combustion of fuel.

11

2.2

PART B - ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE

This part consist of two (2) papers namely
(i)
(ii)

Paper I - 3 hours
Paper II - 2 hours

and candidates will be examined for their knowledge on the following

subjects:
(a)

Typical Gas Turbine Plant

Basic theory of gas turbine systems (e.g. open, closed and combined cycle;
TS diagram, Carnot cycle, Bray ton Cycle); Major Components and Functional
Description of gas turbine systems (Compressor, Burner, Turbine, Generator);
Constructional details; Mountings and fittings; Operation (Pre- start check,
Checks during normal operation, and during emergency); Troubleshooting;
Idling procedure.

(b)

Gas Turbine Safety System

Electrohydraulic safety system (Power oil system, Fuel gas system,
Compressor blow-off system), Governor, their functions and principle of
operation; and Tripping systems.

(c)

Measuring gauges and Instruments

The purpose, basic working principles, constructional details and functions of
the main parts of commonly used gauges and instrument (e.g. pressure
gauge, thermometer, pyrometer, barometer, salinometer, and hydrometer).

(d)

Maintenance
Basic maintenance of gas turbine and compressor, and other ancilliary
machinery ( weekly, routine, the use of logsheets).

(e)

Gas Turbine Fuel

Liquid fuel (petroleum oil, and other chemical derivatives); gaseous fuel (LPG,
natural gas and waste heat); composition and properties of different types of
fuel; and advantage and disadvantage of the different type of fuels.

(f)

Combustion of Fuels
Theory of combustion (condition, constant temperature, constant volume and
constant pressure); Combustion process (supply air, air-fuel mixture,
combustion temperature, combustion time, combustion gases, and
temperature of combustion gases);

12

(g)

Theory of Lubrication / Friction (Tribology)

The importance of lubrication in turbo generating systems and how they are
being applied (Engine oil system, Jacking oil system, Hydraulic rotor bearing
and Power oil system); Other type of gas turbine cooling system and, type of
bearings and seals used.

(h)

Materials
Chemical (carbon, phosphorus, silicon, manganese, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, cadmium) and physical properties of construction materials;
Mechani- cal testing (tensile, bend, hardness, nick break and charpy test);
Stress-strain relationship (proportional limit, yield point, ultimate stress,
permanent set, breaking stress point and elastic limit); Heat treatment
(annealing, normalising, spheroidising, hardening and tempering) and effect
on microstructure.

(i)

Mechanical Working of Steel

Hot work (forging and rolling) and cold work (cold roll and cold working). a)
Creep and Fatigue Creep and fatigue behaviour, factors affecting and testing
method.

(k)

Corrosion and Control

Causes (chemical attack, electro-chemical attack and stress influenced);
Prevention and control (surface protection, metal clading, electroplating),
surface modification (e.g. cladding and chroming), metal spraying, painting,
cathodic protection and water treatment.

(I)

Welding
Basic principles and different types (shielded-arc, gas shielded metal arc, gas
shielded tungsten-arc, plasma-arc, electroslag, stud and gas welding); Weld
joint and preparation (butt, lap, fillet and nozzle); Welding faults (cracks,
cavities, inclusions, lack of penetration, and fusion, imperfect shape), methods
of detection and repairs; Destructive testing (tensile test, bend test, hardness
test, proof test, fatigue test), Welding Procedure Qualification and Welder
Performance Qualification Test.

(m)

Non-Destructive Testing
Non-destructive testing (radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic particle test, dye
penetrant test and eddy-current); NDT operator qualification programme
(national and international);

13

(n)

Internal Combustion Engine (Petrol, Diesel and Gas Engine)

The principles underlaying the working of Internal Combustion Engines
(Petrol, Gas and Oil Engines); Constructional details of ICE in general use;
Use of Indicator diagram; Supercharging; Governor and governor gears;
Starting gears; Construction of engine foundations; Vibration and noise; The
testing of ICE.
The nature and properties of the fuel and lubricating oils generally used
in Internal Combustion Engines; The supply of air and fuel to cylinders of
engine of different types; The constructional details of apparatus for
carburetting and atomising fuel; The means of cooling the cylinders and
pistons; Constructional details and working of pumps and compressor.
Supervision required during operation; maintenance of various parts of
machinery; The use and management of valves, pipes, connections and
safety devices employed.
Troubleshootings; Enumeration and description of defects arising from
the operation of ICE and the remedy for such defects.

14

2.3

PART C - ORAL EXAMINATION

The candidates will be examined for their knowledge in the safe operation of
Internal Combustion Engine. Details of these are as follows
(i)

Basic Working Principles of various type of Gas Turbine system and

their cycles (include compressor, turbine, their fittings/control
equipments etc).

(ii)

Operation of Gas Turbine (e.g start-up, synchronising, supervision and

protection, load shedding, shut-down, emergency situation,
troubleshooting, familiarisation with all safety features); Control Room
management; and, Safety and health aspects of personnel during
operation.

(iii)

Description on routine, daily, preventive and major maintenance (e.g.

Hot-section maintenance, Compressor maintenance, Bearing
maintenance etc.); Procedures, and safety and health precaution.

(iv)

Plant Safety Management (Policy statement, arrangement,

implementation, accident prevention); Contigency Plan / Emergency
Response Plan.

(v)

Related provisions under the Factories and Machinery Act 1967, and
regulations made thereunder .

(vi)

The candidate is expected to know how to sketch the system and their
essential fittings, including explaination on the function of every main
parts.

(vii)

Basic working principles of various type of Internal Combustion

Engines (Petrol, diesel and gas engines), their cycle, process of
combustion, major components and their functional operations.

(viii)

Supervision and protection during operation (e.g Exhaust temperature,

Lub. oil pressure, water temperature etc.)

(ix)

Operating procedures (pre start-up, start-up, emergency shut down,

synchronising engine to generating set etc.)

15

3.1

PART A -PRACTICAL MA THEMA TICS

This part will consist of two (2) papers namely Paper I - 3 hours
Paper II - 2 hours
and candidates will be examined for their knowledge in Applied Mechanics,
Strength of Materials, and Applied Thermodynamics. Detail of these are as
follows (a)

Applied Mechanics
(i)

Forces, Mass, Impulse, Momentum, Work and Energy, Power

Forces acting on rigid body; Moment of forces; Moments and
couples; Composition and resolution of forces; Polygon of
forces; Laws of solid and liquid friction (friction angle and
inclined plane); Friction between unlubricated surfaces (friction
angle, friction clutches, friction on inclined plane); Inertia forces
on elements of plane mechanism; Mechanical advantage and
efficiency of simple machines; Belt and rope drives; Engine
turning moment diagrams, flywheels, governors; Condition of
equilibrium of solids and simple frame structures and beams;
Moment of momentum, moment of inertia, their relation and
measurement; Conservation of energy and momentum; and,
Rectilinear motion of body in a cicular path with uniform speed.

(ii)

Vibration
Body with single degree of freedom; Transverse vibration of
beam; and, Torsional oscillations.

(iii)

Pressure and velocity change along a stream line

Bernoulli's theorem; Flow through orifice

(b)

Strength of Materials
(i)

Hooke's Law; Young's Modulus; Poisson's Ratio; Modulus of

Rigidity; Thermal Stress; Theory of Simple Bending; Bending
Moment and Shearing Force Diagram; Theory of Torsion of
Solid and Hollow Round Shafts; and, Analysis of Stress.
16

(ii)

Stress and Strain

In tension, compression and shear; Relation between elastic
constants; Co-planar principal plane and stresses; Maximum
shear stress; Stresses in thick walled cylinders under internal
and external pressure; and, Theory of thin shells and strength of
rivet ted and welded joints.

(iii)

Beams
Direct and shear stresses in beam; Relationship between slope,
curvature and deflection; Determination of shear force (SF),
bending moment, slope and deflection of cantilevers, and freely
supported and built-in beams for simple types of loading.

(iv)

Torsion
Transmission of power; Closed coil helical springs; Combined
bending, torsion and thrust; Principal stresses in shafts; Strain
energy in tension, bending and torsional and combined loading.

(c)

Applied Thermodynamics
(i)

First and Second Law of Thermodynamics

(ii)

Heat units
B.Th.U., C.H.U., gm-cal and Joules; Specific heat, and
mechanical equivalent of heat.

(iii)

The Law of Perfect Gas

Absolute temperature; Isothermal, adiabatic and polytropic
expansion and compression; Specific heat Cp and Cv and
relationship between them; Internal energy, enthalpy and
entropy.

(iv)

Heat transfer
Heat transfer by conduct(on, convection and radiation (simple
application); Properties of steam (change of state, latent heat,
wet, dry saturated and supersaturated steam, dryness fraction);
Use of steam table; Thtrottling; Separating and thtrottling
calorimeter; and, Boiler efficiency.

17

(v)

Reciprocating Steam Engine

Indicator diagrams (hypothetical, actual); Diagram factor; M.e.p., h.p.,
b.h.p.; and Compounded engines (thermal, mechanical and overall
efficiency)

(vi)

Steam Turbine
Elementary principles; Simple velocity diagrams; Steam turbine
efficiency; and Principle of energy boundry.

(vii)

Combustion of Fuels
Higher and lower calorific values; Chemical equations (stoichiometry);
Excess air; and Incomplete combustion of carbon.

(viii)

Refrigeration -Vapour Compression Cycle

Coefficient of performance; Capacity.

3.2

Part B - Engineering Knowledge

This part consist of two (2) papers namely
(i)
(ii)

Paper I - 3 hours
Paper II - 2 hours

and candidates will be examined for their knowledge on the following subjects
(a)

Steam and Hot Water Boilers

Different types of boilers (e.g. fire and water tubes boilers, vertical shell
type, multitubular underfired, economic package and waste heat); Constructional details; Mountings and fittings (water level gauges, steam
pressure gauge, feed water regulator, safety valves, main stop valve,
globe valve, gate valve, check valve, non-return valve); flue gas path
pattern (singular or multiple and function of baffle plates).

18

(b)

Boiler Operation
Starting cold boilers (precaution -furnace explosion, dust explosion);
connecting of more than one boiler; Operating under emergency
situations, idling procedure and maintenance (tubes, shell, drums,
headers, superheater, economiser, furnace, air heater, pumps, fans
and stacks); Uses of low-pressure steam and hot water boiler for
process heating; Special type of boiler for high pressure and
temperature steam.

(b)

Boiler Water Treatment

Pure water; Impurities; Type of water source; Recomended feedwater
quality; Contaminated feedwater; External and internal treatment; Hard
scale; Soft scale; Carry over; Priming; Foaming; Water treatment
programme; and Water analysis.

(c)

Boiler Maintenance, Inspection and Repair

External and internal inspection; Boiler failure, causes and methods of
repair (Window patch, tube plugging); Testing of safety features (e.g.
Gauge glass, low water fuel cut-out, high/low water alarm);
Maintenance (daily, routine and planned).

(d)

Boiler Fuel
Solid fuel (e.g coal, lignite, wood and wood waste); Liquid fuel
(petroleum oil, black liquor and other chemical derivatives); gaseous
fuel (LPG, natural gas and waste heat); composition and properties of
different types of fuel; and, advantage and disadvantage of different
type of fuels.

(e)

Combustion of Fuels
Theory of combustion (condition, constant temperature, constant
volume and constant pressure); Combustion process (supply air, airfuel mixture, combustion temperature, combustion time, combustion
gases, and temperature of combustion gases); Gas analysing
technique; and Draft (natural, forced, draft differential, and factors
affecting draft).

(f)

Steam Properties
Steam (wet, saturated, superheated, degree of superheat and dryness
fraction); Temperature-entropy and temperature-enthalpy diagrams;
and application of wet and superheated steam.

19

(g)

Materials
Chemical (carbon, phosphorus, silicon, manganese, chromium, nickel,
molybdenum, cadmium) and physical properties of construction
materials; Mechanical testing (tensile, bend, hardness, nick break and
charpy test); Stress-strain relationship (proportional limit, yield point,
ultimate stress, permanent set, breaking stress point and elastic limit);
Heat treatment (annealing, normalising, spheroidising, hardening and
tempering) and effect on microstructure. Iron-Carbon equilibrium
diagram (austenite, martensite, pearlite, binite)

(h)

Mechanical Working of Steel

Hot work (forging and rolling) and cold work (cold roll and cold
working).

(i)

Creep and Fatigue

Creep and fatigue behaviour, factors affecting and testing method.

(j)

Corrosion and Control

Causes (chemical attack, electro-chemical attack and stress
influenced); Prevention and control (surface protection, metal cladding,
electroplating), surface modification (e.g. cladding and chroming),
metal spraying, painting, cathodic protection and water treatment.

(k)

Welding
Basic principles and different types (shielded-arc, gas shielded metal
arc, gas shielded tungsten-arc, plasma-arc, electroslag, stud and gas
welding); Weld joint and preparation (butt, lap, fillet and nozzle);
Welding defects (e.g cracks, cavities, inclusions, lack of penetration,
and fusion, imperfect shape), methods of detection and repairs;
Destructive testing (tensile test, bend test, hardness test, proof test,
fatigue test). Welding Procedure Qualification and Welder Performance
Qualification Test.

(I)

Non-Destructive Testing
Non-destructive testing (radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic particle test,
dye penetrant test and eddy-current); NDT operator qualification
programme (national and international).

20

3.2

PART C -ORAL EXAMINA TION

The candidates will be examined for their knowledge on the safe operation of
steam boiler and other auxiliary , understanding of related statutory
requirements, and proper management of a steam plant.
(i)

Working principles of various types of steam boilers, steam engines

and steam turbines, their fittings and functions.

(ii)

Boiler operation (e.g Start-up procedure, shut-down, emergency

situation, .conditional monitoring, familiarisation with all safety features
etc). Installation of new boiler, various type of testing. Identification of
essential fittings.

(iii)

Boiler House management (e.g Managing Log Book, Safety and Health
aspects in boiler room)

(iv)

Plant safety management (Policy statement, arrangement,

implementation, accident prevention); Contingency Plan I Emergency
Response Plan.

(v)

The candidate is expected to know how to sketch the steam boiler,

piping system, fittings etc.

(vi)

Related provisions under The Factories and Machinery Act 1967 and
regulations made thereunder, and The Occupational Safety and Health
Act 1994 (e.g. Requirements for importation, manufacturing, installation
and operation of steam boilers in this country; Duty of designer,
manufacturer and supplier).

(vii)

External and internal inspection of boiler, fault finding, identification of

defects or failures, administrative procedure for repairs.

(viii)

Boiler water treatment (internal and external), and the detailed

programme.

(ix)

Special type of boiler (e.g. Waste heat, high pressure and temperature
boiler).

(x)

The conduct of steam test, its purpose and frequency.

Note : The first grade candidates is expected to answer in depth of every questions
posed.

21

4.0

FIRST GRADE ENGINEER

EXAMINATION SYLLABUS)

(INTERNAL

4.1

PART A - PRACTICAL MATHEMATICS

COMBUSTION

ENGINE)

This part will consist of two (2) papers namely

Paper I - 3 hours
Paper II - 2 hours
and candidates will be examined for their knowledge in Applied Mechanics,
Strength of Materials, Heat and Heat Engines and Applied Thermodynamics
Detail of these are as follows
(a)

Applied Mechanics
(i)

Forces, Mass, Impulse, Momentum, Work and Energy, Power.

Forces acting on rigid body; Moment of forces; Moments and couples;
Composition and resolution of forces; Polygon of forces; Laws of solid
and liquid friction (friction angle and inclined plane); Friction between
unlubricated surfaces (friction angle, friction clutches, friction on
inclined plane); Inertia forces on elements of plane mechanism;
Mechanical advantage and efficiency of simple machines; Belt and
rope drives; Engine turning moment diagrams, flywheels, governors;
Condition of equilibrium of solids and simple frame structures and
beams; Moment of momentum, moment of inertia, their relation and
measurement; Conservation of energy and momentum; Rectilinear
motion of body in a cicular path with uniform speed.

(ii)

Vibration
Body with single degree of freedom; Transverse vibration of beam; and
Torsional oscillations.

(ii)

Pressure and velocity change along a stream line

Bernoulli's theorem; Flow through orifice.

22

(b)

Strength of Materials
(i)

Hooke's Law; Young's Modulus; Poisson's Ratio; Modulus of

Rigidity; Thermal Stress; Theory of Simple Bending; Bending
Moment and Shearing Force Diagram; Theory of Torsion of
Solid and Hollow Round Shafts; Analysis of Stress;

(ii)

Stress and Strain

In tension, compression and shear; Relation between elastic
constants; Co-planar principal plane and stresses; Maximum
shear stress; and Theory of thin shells and strength of rivetted
and welded joints.

(iii)

Beams
Direct and shear stresses in beams; Relationship between
slope, curvature and deflection; Determination of shear force
(SF), bending moment, slope and deflection of cantilevers, and
freely supported and built-in beams for simple types of loading.

(iv)

Torsion
Transmission of power; Closed coil helical springs; Combined
bending, torsion and thrust; Principal stresses in shafts; Strain
energy in tension, bending and torsional and combined loading.

23

c)

Applied Thermodynamics
(i)

First and Second Law of Thermodynamics

(ii)

Heat units
B.Th.U., C.H.U., gm-cal and Joules; Specific heat, mec equivqlent of
heat.

(iii)

The Law of Perfect Gas

Absolute temperature; Isothermal, adiabatic and pol expansion and
compression; Specific heat c and c and rela' between them; Internal
energy, enthalpy and entropy.

(iv)

Heat transfer
Heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation application);

(v)

Reciprocating Steam Engine

Indicator diagrams (hypothetical, actual); Diagram factor; M.e.p,h.p,
b.h.p.; Compounded engines (thermal, mechanical and efficiency)

(vi)

Heat Balance for Engine

Elementary principles and cycles of operations of internal combustion
engine and air compressors; Constant volume, diesel and dual cycles;
Calculation of work done; Cam (cam diagram for ICE, angles of cam
peak centre lines relative to crank).

(vii)

Combustion of Solid and Liquid Fuel

Higher and lower calorific values; Chemical equations (stoichiometry);
Excess air; Incomplete combustion of carbon.

(viii)

Refrigeration -Vapour Compression Cycle

Coefficient of performance; Capacity.

24

3.2

PART B

- ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE

This part consist of two (2) papers namely

(i)
(ii)

Paper I Paper II -

3 hours
2 hours

and candidates will be examined for their knowledge on the following subjects
(a)

Gas Turbine Power Plant Fundamentals

Basic theory of gas turbine systems (e.g. open, close and combine
cycle; TS diagram, Carnot cycle; Bray ton cycle); Gas turbine process;
Major components and Functional description of typical gas turbine
power plant (Compressor, Type of combustor/burner, Turbine,
Generator); Constructional details; Mounting and fittings; Operational
procedures (Pre-start check, Start-up; Check during normal operation
and emergency); Troubleshooting; and Idling procedure.

(b)

Operational Systems
Various operational systems in a gas turbine plant ( Lubrication and
Emergency oil system, Jacking oil system, Ignition fuel system, Fuel
gas system, Exhaust gas system, Power oil system, Gas turbine drain
system, Hydraulic rotor barring system, Air intake and compressor
systems, Fuel oil and water injection systems).

(c)

Combustion and Fuels

Types of fuel (Liquid -petroleum oil, and other chemical derivatives;
Gaseous fuel -LPG, natural gas and waste heat); Composition and
properties of different types of fuel; Advantage and disadvantage;
Theory of combustion (Condition, constant temperature, constant
volume and constant pressure); Combustion process (supply air, airfuel mixture, combustion temperature, combustion time, combustion
gases and temperature of combustion gases).

(d)

Materials
Chemical (carbon, phosphorus, silicon, manganese, chromium, nickel,
molybdenum, cadmium) and physical properties of construction
materials; Mechanical testing (tensile, bend, hardness, nick break and
charpy test); Stress-straln relationship (proportional limit, yield point,
ultimate stress, permanent set, breaking stress point and elastic limit);
Heat treatment (annealing, normalising, spheroidising, hardening and
tempering) and effect on microstructure; Iron-carbon equilibrium
diagram.

25

(e)

Mechanical Working of Steel

Hot work (forging and rolling) and cold work (cold roll and cold
working).

(f)

Creep and Fatigue

Creep and fatigue behaviour, factors affecting and testing method.

(g)

Corrosion and Control

Causes (chemical attack, electro-chemical attack and stress
influenced); Prevention and control (surface protection, metal clading,
electroplating, surface modification (e.g. cladding and chroming), metal
spraying, painting, cathodic protection and water treatment.

(h)

Theory of Lubrication / Friction (Tribology)

The importance of lubrication in turbo generating systems and hoe they
are being applied (Engine oil system, Jacking oil system, Hydraulic
rotor bearing and Power oil system); Type of seals; Other type of
cooling systems.

(i)

Welding
Basic principles and different types (shielded-arc, gas shielded metal
arc, gas shielded tungsten-arc, plasma-arc, electroslag, stud and gas
welding); Weld joint and preparation (butt, lap, fillet ann nozzle);
Welding defects (cracks, cavities, inclusions, lack of penetration, and
fusion, imperfect shape), methods of detection and repairs; Destructive
testing (tensile test, bend test, hardness test, proof test, fatigue test),
Welding procedure qualification and welder performance qualification
test.

(j)

Non-Destructive Testing
Non-destructive testing (radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic particle test,
dye penetrant test and eddy-current); NDT operator qualification
programme (national and international);

(k)

Internal Combustion Engine (Petrol, Diesel and Gas Engine)

Ideal and actual cycles for Internal Combustion Engines and their
representation by pressure-volume and temperature-entropy diagrams;
The process of combustion in spark ignition and compression ignition
engines (Flame propagation and detonation in spark ignition engines,
Effect of dissociation and changes in specific heats, Ignition delay and
utilisation of the air in compression ignition engines. Air-fuel ratio, The
composition of exhaust gases and the control of power output from
ICE)

26

The principles underlaying the working of Internal Combustion Engines

(Petrol, Gas and Oil Engines; Two stroke and Four stroke);
Constructional details of ICE in general use; Use of Indicator diagram;
Supercharging; Governor and governor gears; Starting gears;
Construction of engine foundations; Vibration and noise; The testing
and performance of ICE (Apparatus and procedures, indicator diagram,
fuel consumption and heat distribution; dynamometer and useful power
output, engine losses, accuracy of measurement); Utilisation of waste
heat; Energy balance of installation in service.
The nature and properties of the fuel (Liquid and gases, chemical
composition, calorific value and its determination, properties of
importance in relation to combustion in engines, methods of
determining octane and cetane values); Purification, filtration, handling
and storage of fuels; Lubricating oils generally used in Internal
Combustion Engines; The supply of air and fuel to cylinders of engine
of different types; The constructional details of apparatus for
carburetting and atomising fuel; The means of cooling the cylinders
and pistons; Constructional details and working of pumps and
compressor.
Air compressors (reciprocating and rotary blower and supercharger);
Adiabatic and isothermal efficiency; Heat transferin intercoolers;
Charging and exhausting the cylinders of two-stroke and four-stroke
reciprocating engines; volumetric and scavanging efficiency; Silencing.
Supervision required during operation; maintenance of various parts of
machinery; The use and management of valves, pipes, connections
and safety devices employed.
Troubleshootings; Enumeration and description of defects arising from
the operation of ICE and the remedy for such defects.

27

3.3

PART C

- ORAL EXAMINA TION

The candidates will be examined for their knowledge in the safe operation of
Internal Combustion Engine (Gas Turbine), the related requirements of Acts
and Regulations, and the ability of managing the work place in a safe and
healthy environment. Detail of these are as follows
(i)

Basic Working Principles of various type of Gas Turbine system and

their cycles (e.g. compressor, turbine, combustor, their fittings/control
equipments etc.).

(ii)

Operation of Gas Turbine (e.g start-up, synchronising, supervision and

protection, load shedding, shut-down, emergency situation,
troubleshooting, familiarisation with all safety features); Control Room
management; and Safety and health aspects of personals during
operation.

(iii)

Type of maintenance (e.g description on routine, daily, preventive and

major); Procedures, and safety and health precaution.

(iv)

Plant Safety Management (Policy statement, arrangement,

implementation, accident prevention); Contigency Plan / Emergency
Response Plan.

(v)

Related provisions under the Factories and Machinery Act 19671 and
regulations made thereunder; The Occupational Safety and Health Act
1994.

(vi)

Safety and health hazards; Identification and rectification

(vii)

The candidate is expected to know how to sketch the system and their
essential fittings, including explaination on the function of every main
part.

(viii)

Basic working principles of various type of I.C.E (Petrol, diesel and gas
engines); Major components and their functional operations; Process of
combustion; Supervision and protection of I.C.E. during operation;
Troubleshooting and corrective actions.

(ix)

Engine room management (the use of log book, managing the shift,
maintenance management etc.).

Note : First grade candidates is expected to answer in depth of all second grade
questions.

28

LIST OF REFERENCE BOOKS

1.

G.J. Van Wyler

THERMODYNAMICS
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
New York.

2.

D.B. Spalding and E.H. Cole

ENGINEERING THERMODYNAMICS (S.I. Units)
The English Languge Book Society &
Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd.

3.

T.D. Eastop & A. McConkey

APPLIED THERMODYNAMICS FOR ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGISTS (S.I. Units)
Longmans Group Ltd. (1970)

4.

J.P. Holman
HEAT TRANSFER
McGraw-Hill Kogakusha Ltd.

5.

E.M. Goodyear
COMBUSTION CALCULATIONS
The Macmillan Press Ltd.

6.

H.J. Smith & J.W. Harris

THERMODYNAMICS PROBLEMS IN S.I. UNITS
Macdonald London.

7.

William A. Nash
STRENGTH OF MATERIAL
Schamm's Outline Series
McGraw-Hi\l Book Company.

8.

G.H. Ryder
STRENGTH OF MATERIALS (S.I. UNITS)
English Language Book Society & Macmi\lan.

9.

A.E. Bell
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SC1ENCE
Cassel London
The Camelot Press Ltd. Southhampton.

10.

S.A. Urry and F.J. Turner

SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS IN STRENGTH OF MA TERIALS AND MECHANICS OF SOLIDS.
A Pitman Publishing Limited.

29

11.

J. Hannah & M.J. Miller

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
Pitman Education Ltd.

12.

Ferdinand L. Singer
STRENGTH OF MA TERIALS
Harper & Row, New York & London
John Weatherhilllnc. Tokyo.

13.

R.M. Russel
MATERIALS
Collins London and Glasgow.

14.

P.D. Collins and A. Jackson

APPLIED MECHANICS FOR ENGINEERS
Longman Group Ltd.

15.

Hannah & Stephen

MECHANICS OF MACHINES

16.

Stephen M. Elonka & Anthony L. Kohan

STANDARD BOILER OPERATORS'QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
McGraw-Hilllnc. {1973)

17.

Adolph Knehr & William Farrer-Baynes

LOW PRESSURE BOILER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Duobooks, Fairfield, New Jersey. {1979)

18.

Edwin Gregory
METALLURGY
Blackie & Sons Ltd. {1947)

19.

Dr. R.S. Parmar

WELDING PROCESSES AND TECHNOLOGY
Khanna Publishers, India {1993)

20.

General Dynamics (Convair Div.)

NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
(Classroom training handbook)
San Diego, California.{1967)

21.

V.B. John
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING MA TERIALS
English Language Book Society & Macmillan {1977)

22.

S.P. Timoshenko and J.N. Goodier

THEORY OF ELASTICITY
McGraw-Hill Kogakusha, Ltd {1970)

30

23.

RS. Khurmi
APPLIED THERMODYNAMICS
S.Chand & Company Ltd. India (1977)

24.

Cohen/Rogers/Saravanamutoo
GAS TURBINE THEORY (SI)
Longman Group Ltd

25.

Meherwan P. Boyce
GAS TURBINE ENGINEERING HANDBOOK
Gulf Publishing Campany, Houstan, Texas (1982)

31