Training
BANZ has two training initiatives related to wood pellet fires and boilers as follows:-
WhY THE NEED FOR TRAINING?
Key reasons for training in relation to pellet fires and boilers include:
- Retailer and Customer Confidence - as with any new product, those selling the appliances and those buying them need to have confidence in the product. They need to understand how they work, how to get the most out of them and how in particular for heating retailers, how to get this message across to potential customers.
- Quality Installation - A quality installation means a problem free heater, a satisfied customer and a popular product. Ensuring that heaters are installed correctly means efficient and safe operation and a reliable product.
- Safe Operation - Safe operation is of paramount importance whether the fire is a residential or small commercial size. All appliances are different.
- Efficient Operation - The choice of a pellet fire is made for many reasons but its convenience and efficiency are strong selling points. Only through improved understanding about the technology and how it operates can the maximum efficiency be achieved.
WOOD PELLET HEATER INSTALLER COURSE
Under development
The Pellet Heater Installer Course is under development by Wairiki Polytechnic and the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ) and is part of a Diploma in Sustainable Energy.
Course Title - Short Course Certificate in Wood Pellet Heater Installation.
Course Commitment - This 25-hour course is likely to contain 17 distance learning hours reinforced by 8 hours of practical work.
Course Details and Content - The course will give a general overview of
- wood pellet heaters by reference to demonstration equipment, the various models, manufacturers and suppliers including the key heater design differences.
- the wood pellet market in New Zealand and Air Quality Issues driving growth.
Download Provisional Course details and an outline of the Course content here
This Course is endorsed by the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ).
Who should attend this course? - Pellet fire installers, Local Council Consent staff, Heating companies, Pellet heater retail staff.
When does it start? - The course is available in Semester 2, 2010 (June 2010 approx).
Make a Booking / Register Your Interest - Please register your interest in this course here. We will send you details when the course details are finalised and we are able to take bookings.
Course Fees - Details available soon.
WOOD PELLET BOILER OPERATOR COURSES
The Wood Pellet Boiler Operator Course has been developed with a number of boiler manufacturers, fuel suppliers and consultants to assist Boiler Operators or Property Managers and to safely operate their boilers to get optimal energy from them.
The course is 'generic' in nature (not focused to any boiler make or design), specific to wood pellets, and focused on ensuring that generally untrained operators are conversant with design and operating principles adequate to ensure safe boiler operation. some courses are specific to the places where the boilers are used, for example, small scale school boilers (in particular conversions from coal to wood pellets), hospital boilers, etc.
Course Title - Wood Pellet Boiler Operator Training Course (Small Scale - Schools)
Course Commitment - Courses are 2-3 hours in duration at a school boiler site where operating characteristics can be shown. Registration will be accepted on a first come basis with a limit of 15 attendees at any course.
Course Details and Content - As a School Boiler Operator/Property Manager, this Course will help you to:
- Understand the basic principles of small scale wood pellet boiler operation
- Identify and solve routine and annual maintenance programmes
- Operate your boiler to maximise efficiency and heat delivery
- Learn about routine monitoring to ensure efficient operation
- Operate your boiler safely
Illustrative Course content can be downloaded here. Details may change depending on the location of the specific boiler.
This initiative has been developed by the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ). Sponsorship by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is gratefully acknowledged.
This Course is endorsed by the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ).
Who should attend this course? - School boiler operators, Local Council consent staff, Heating companies, Boiler installers, Property managers.
2009 Course Details and Locations
| Location | School | Date | Place |
| Christchurch | Cashmere High School 172 Rose Street, Christchurch 8024 |
Tues, 25th August 1pm to 4pm |
15 |
| Dunedin | AgResearch, Invermay , Agricultural Center, Puddle Alley, Mosgiel 9053 |
Thurs, 27th August 1pm to 4pm |
15 |
| Bay of Plenty | Rotorua Girls High School 251 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua |
Wed, 9th September 1pm to 4pm |
15 |
| Waikato | Matamata Intermediate, Smith Street, Matamata |
Thurs, 10th September 1pm to 4pm |
15 |
2010 Course Details and Locations
| Location | School | Date | Place |
| Bay of Plenty | Rotorua Girls High School 251 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua |
Wed, 26th May 2010 1pm to 4pm |
15 |
| tba | Details to be advised |
Certification
BANZ recognises that school health and safety plans often require a demonstration of competence for operations of school equipment. BANZ has therefore established a scheme for certification and registration of trained wood pellet boiler operators that schools can utilise. Those boiler operators who attend the BANZ training courses will be issued with a laminated certificate that can be affixed to the boiler room wall which certifies that they have attended the training course. The certificate is personal to the trained operators so schools are encouraged to get replacement operators trained when necessary.
Course Download - Pellet Boiler Operator Training Course and Certification - download details here
Make a Booking / Register Your Interest - Please register your interest in these courses here. Please note in your email which location you would like to attend. As soon as more dates for the 2010 courses have been finalised this table will be updated.
Course Fees - Details available on application.
Course Title - Wood Pellet Boiler Operator Training Course (Small Scale - Other)
Further details coming soon.
If you would like details please contact admin@bioenergy.org.nz
Course Title - Wood Pellet Boiler Operator Training Course (Large Scale)
Further details coming soon.
If you would like details please contact admin@bioenergy.org.nz