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Babcock Wanson launches BOAS Cat 5 training for Coil boiler operators

Covers a range of safety and operational issues that the operator should be aware of, 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

Babcock Wanson announces the launch of the first Boiler Operation Accreditation Scheme (BOAS) Cat 5 training course for Coil type Steam Boiler Operators in the UK, in conjunction with the Combustion Engineering Association (CEA).

The new course, prepared by Babcock Wanson, will cover a range of safety and operational issues that the operator should be aware of, 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 important 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.

During its 10 years, more than 4000 boiler operators have been successfully trained and assessed through BOAS.

With the increasing popularity of coil type steam generators, yet with users who often have limited or no relevant technical or safety knowledge, extending the scheme to cover these modern heat raising systems is a logical step.

Chris Horsley, Managing Director 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.

“We are proud to be the first company in the UK to provide this training. As a manufacturer with extensive experience in process heating systems, we understand the importance of user training from both a health and safety perspective and from an operational point of view. If you want to get the most out of your system, including energy efficiency and long life, you need to understand how your steam generator works.”

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.

Babcock Wanson offers a complete range of products and services for boiler houses and other process heating needs, from steam boilers, thermal fluid heaters, rapid steam generators and hot water boilers to VOC and odour treatment by thermal oxidation, water treatment or process air heating solutions.

The company aims to help optimise customer’s energy production with high quality products and efficient service.

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