Property | Boilers
Boiling point
If you are considering installing a boiler, you
Schools need to manage and maintain their boilers well so that it runs safely and efficiently.
need to consider the ministry requirements for room temperatures.
Issues to consider when installing a boiler If you are considering installing a boiler, you need to consider the ministry requirements for room temperatures. The Ministry’s Designing Quality Learning Spaces (DQLS) standards expect school rooms to be kept at certain temperatures so that people using them are comfortable, healthy and safe.
Secondary teachers are pleased the Government is removing coal boilers from schools, but they need to go sooner than 2025, says Melanie Webber, president of PPTA Te Wehengarua. “This is something that PPTA has been pushing for, through our involvement in the Fossil Free State Sector coalition.
Funding boilers The school boiler is essential infrastructure to keep a school operating. Getting a new or replacement boiler is a ‘priority two’ item in a 10 Year Property Plan (10YPP). If the boiler breaks down or needs urgent repair, it becomes a ‘priority one’ project. If your school has to close down without it (because it is winter for example) it must be replaced or repaired immediately.
Secondary teachers delighted dirty boilers are going
“It is great that students and teachers will be able to work in safe and healthy learning environments, and it’s a sound investment by the government in the future for our rangatahi/ young people.
You also need to check with your local council about whether your school area has restrictions on releasing emissions in the area to minimise pollution and the effects on neighbours, and if you will need a resource consent.
If your school must burn a fossil fuel, natural gas boilers are environmentally preferable to coal or oil because their emissions are less harmful.
Modern wood chip boilers are the most environmentally sound option for schools. In most regions, they cost about the same to run as a coal-fired boiler.
If your school still has a coal boiler, only use high-grade coal. Lower-grade coal contains high levels of sulphur. It can corrode and shorten the life of the boiler.
However, they still can harm the environment and people’s health if they are not installed, maintained and operated correctly.
“Learning environments need to reflect the future we want for our young people and everyone in Aotearoa. “However, we would love to see this happen sooner than 2025, given the urgency of the climate crisis. “There are still hundreds of school boilers fuelled by oil, gas and diesel. We challenge all parties to commit to the next step of funding all schools to run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2025.”
MW Heating is a New Zealand owned business which specialises in servicing and maintaining wood chip and wood pellet boilers in schools
www.mwheating.nz
EDQ
Mark Wiseman, the Managing Director of MW Heating has been installing and servicing biomass boilers in New Zealand schools since 2007 and is recognised as a specialist in the boiler field. Based in Ashburton, Mark and his team of service technicians currently cover school boilers from Auckland to Invercargill with most of the servicing work being completed during the school holidays and outside the heating season.
Converting Coal Boilers to Wood
MW Heating can convert existing coal boilers to use wood pellets which is becoming increasingly popular as New Zealand aims to remove coal and other fossil fuels.
Maintenance and On-Call Assistance
MW Heating recommends servicing your boiler before and after the heating season to ensure maximum efficiency from your fuel and school heating system. MW Heating can provide inclusive maintenance and servicing packages to suit your school with the option of 24/7 breakdown phone support to provide heating assurance during the winter seasons.
Staff Training Packages
Mark and his team of service technicians are available to provide your school caretaker or facilities manager with hands-on training and support ranging from half day modules on basic cleaning and operation to multi-day training packages to suit each schools’ needs. Many school boilers suffer from poor maintenance and lack of understanding of installed systems, MW Heating can assist you and your staff to tune and maximise the efficiency of your boiler to improve the environment inside your school.
To find out more about our maintenance packages for wood chip and wood pellet boilers or to receive a quote for an annual servicing or training package, please contact Mark Wiseman.
Phone: 021 620 108 Email: office@mwheating.nz 46 | Term 3, 2022 www.principalstoday.co.nz
