Boiler fireman tends one or more boilers which produce steam for heat or power. He/she controls valves to maintain the required level of water in boiler, shovels fuel into fireboxes and pokes the fire to obtain maximum heat or sets devices which feed gas, oil or other fuel automatically. He/she checks the temperature and pressure of steam by reading gauges and feeds fuel or adjusts the stoking mechanism accordingly. He/she may remove ashes from ash pans, clean boilers and flues, and condition boiler water by adding chemicals.