Boilers are the most common heating systems in Italy: installation costs are low, consumption is efficient and maintenance is simple. Given their diffusion, the professionalism of the boilers is in great demand.
The boiler technicians, also called boiler technicians, are qualified people who install, check, maintain and, if necessary, repair the boilers.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A BOILER TECHNICIAN?
If you are thinking of taking up this profession, you will first of all need to obtain the appropriate qualifications and gain experience as a boiler apprentice.
In this article we see how to become a technician specialized in boiler maintenance, what are the daily tasks and earnings expectations.
What do boiler technicians do?
The profession of boiler technician, or boiler technician, focuses on the control and functional maintenance of boilers and their pumps, motors and other supporting elements of these heating systems.
Working as a boiler technician: the necessary qualifications
The job of a boiler maker requires in-depth knowledge of hydraulics, mechanics, fluid dynamics and thermotechnics. To these skills are added the instrumental ones, necessary for ordinary and extraordinary maintenance interventions on the boilers.
To undertake this profession in Italy it is necessary to obtain a technical diploma and follow an apprenticeship or assistant to boiler technician.
Let’s see the main phases of the training of boiler technicians:
- High school diploma.
This is the minimum level of study required to work as a boiler maker. With a higher degree you will be able to access an apprenticeship or other vocational courses. - Follow an apprenticeship program or a license course.
Before becoming a boiler technician, it is necessary to follow a specialized training course. The training can be included in an apprenticeship contract or delivered by a private training institution. The apprenticeship can last approximately two years and includes hours of lessons both in the classroom and in the company. Apprenticeships are often funded regionally, so it’s always a good idea to take a look at the notices issued by your region of residence. - Get experience as a boiler assistant. < / strong>
If you can’t get into an apprenticeship program, don’t despair. Often those who have already started a career as a boiler operator, and perhaps work on their own, look for boiler assistants who can offer support in their daily work. - Boiler license: Operator certification on systems in Civil Gases – UNI 11554
Once you have accumulated an experience of at least four years in companies specialized in the maintenance and installation of boilers, you will be able to obtain a boiler operator’s license, i.e. the Operator Certification on Civil Gas Plants provided for by UNI 11554: 2014 . You will have to take an exam in three tests, the structure of which changes according to your profile: Maintenance Technician, Installer or Technical Manager. The boiler operator’s license lasts eight years and can be renewed upon expiry.
What are the duties of the boiler operator?
The specific tasks of those who work as a boiler operator are different and vary according to the type of systems they are working on. The most frequent tasks are these:
- Checking the efficiency of the heating system and thermostats.
- Observation and recording of pressure gauge and meter readings.
- Smoke combustion analysis.
- Adjusting the fuel and fluid levels of the boiler.
- Inspection of boilers, pipes and valves for leaks and malfunctions.
- Periodic cleaning of the ducts and elimination of limescale or other corrosive deposits.
- Repair of the boiler, water treatment equipment or storage tanks.
- Install replacement parts of the boiler in case of failure, including pipes and heating elements.
- Test the water quality and, if necessary, install corrosion inhibitors.
- Detect emissions generated by combustion.
- Keeping of routine boiler maintenance records.
The interventions of the boiler technicians, therefore, aim to ensure efficient and safe operation of the boilers , whether they be wall-mounted, basement or reverse flame.
How much do boiler technicians earn?
The monthly earnings of boiler technicians depend on the years of experience, the city in which they work and the type of employment.
Boiler operators can work on their own and in this case they often focus on boilers and water heaters; or they can find work for the installation and maintenance of boilers, construction companies or companies that produce and sell heating systems.
The average salary of boilers with less than three years of work experience is around € 1,000 / 1,100 net per month. Over time, the average salary can grow and settle at 1,400 / 1,700 € net per month. The more experienced heaters, on the other hand, can earn between € 1,800 and € 1,900 per month.
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