Short Course for Janitor-Engineers

From the INTRODUCTION.
The janitor of a school or other public building occupies a position of more responsibility than is usually recognized. He is in a very real sense responsible for the health and comfort of the occupants of the building under his care. He is also responsible for the economical use of fuel, equipment and supplies. To discharge his duties properly he needs technical knowledge and practical experience.
Up to the present time no attempt has been made to formulate and offer any definite course of instruction for the janitor-engineer. Usually verbal directions have been given as to what he is expected to do, sometimes accompanied by a ''book of rules.'' The reasons for these rules he may or may not understand. To add to his difficulties he is often required to take orders from, or at least to accede to the requests of, a number of persons, some of whom, at least, know less about his duties than he does. Again, the entire responsibility of running a plant may be thrown on his shoulders with the one admonition that he ''will be held responsible'' if anything goes wrong.
The work of a janitor is a real vocation requiring, as it does, technical knowledge, a knowledge of human nature and ability to get along with people, and, especially in the schools, the exercise of discipline. There is no reason why the calling of the janitor-engineer should not have a place in the present program of vocational education, and it was in connection with such a program that the following text was first prepared and used. It may serve as a reference book to be read by a janitor during his leisure moments (if he has any) or it may be used as the basis of a definite course of instruction in an evening or day class under a regular instructor.
The text in its present form is not as complete as the writer would like to have it and it is his purpose to revise and extend it as soon as possible. Owing to the fact that fuel saving is now a national issue considerable attention has been paid to this subject. No claim is made for originality. The book is not the result of technical research. It is simply an adaptation of many facts already well known. Acknowledgment is hereby made to the many chief engineers and members of school boards and school faculties who have put their information and experience at my disposal as well as to many janitor-engineers whom I am proud to call my friends.