Training course for coil boiler operators

The new course, prepared by Babcock Wanson, will cover a range of safety and operational issuesof which the operator should be aware, including important health and safety aspects of steam systems and simple water treatment routines, as well as the safe operation of the boiler and how to recognise – and what to do – when the boiler is not performing correctly. The training will be assessed through a multi-question exam produced and marked by the CEA who will issue a Certificate and ID card to successful candidates, valid for five years.

This new BOAS course can be completed at Babcock Wanson’s Hertfordshire works or on the customer’s site.

BOAS is owned and operated by the CEA, an educational charity specialising in the technical training and assessment of boiler operators and managers. More than 4000 boiler operators have been successfully trained and assessed through BOAS.  With the increasing popularity of coil type steam generators, and with users who often have limited or no relevant technical or safety knowledge, extending the scheme to cover these modern heat raising systems is seen as a logical step.

Chris Horsley, MD of Babcock Wanson UK, comments: “Compared to older steam generating technology, coil type steam generators can not only be considerably more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, but are very quick in raising steam and can be safer to operate.  However, they are not a ‘fit and forget’ scenario and are required to be operated in full compliance with most of the same legislation as traditional shell and tube steam boilers including the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations which requires training and competence of all relevant employees.  The new BOAS Cat 5 course helps address this gap.”

The new BOAS Cat 5 training course will cover two levels: steam generator operators (a one day course) and steam generator engineers/managers.  The latter will require a greater level of knowledge from candidates and will include some of the more detailed maintenance and supervision aspects of operating a larger coil boiler installation and steam distribution system.  Courses for this level will be three days duration and include further examinations and an interview with an experienced Assessor.