Response to Oil Installer Article Kero to Bio-kero in half an hour
Reference is made to the article recently published in the Oil Installer entitled “Kero to Bio-kero in half an hour”. This article has provoked numerous responses from technicians expressing concern at OFTEC’s involvement in such an installation. OFTEC wishes to clarify some points surrounding this installation.
Whilst OFTEC would not endorse some of the installation practices employed on this installation, it must be appreciated that this site is a genuine live firing field trial site. The installation of the boiler had been previously installed and falsely declared to be compliant. OFTEC Registered Technician Michael Scott was solely contracted by the University of East Anglia & the Clean Energy Consultancy practice to convert the existing equipment to operate on bio-kerosene.
Not published within the article was the fact that in accordance with OFTEC procedures, Michael formally recorded all irregularities found with the installation at time of conversion and reported them to the property owner for remedial works to be instigated.
OFTEC has since been advised that some of the non-compliances have now been rectified, with further consideration required as to sourcing and installing a compliant flue system.
When technicians are requested to perform work on existing equipment, especially ageing equipment, it is often predictable that what they will find on site will be not be 100% compliant. As demonstrated by Michael and highlighted by the response to this article, it is of paramount importance that technicians record their observations and notify the owner of the equipment whilst on site of any non compliances as if the finger starts pointing, your notes may be all that you possess to prove your competence.