In order to take our 4th Class – Part B course, a student must complete our 4th Class – Part A Accepted Course, or provide a transcript proving completion of an equivalent program (an accepted 4A course provided by a different educational institution)

It is recommended that students have a minimum of Grade 11 Math, Physics, and English.

This 4B covers the following topics.  Each unit has learning materials, quizzes, and a unit quiz and there is a final exam (that must be proctored) at the end of the course.

Unit One – Lubrication

• Lubrication Principles; Bearings & Systems

  Students should understand the importance of lubrication in reducing friction and wear. They must know types of lubricants, lubrication methods, and the care/maintenance of bearings and lubrication systems.

Unit Two – Pumps & Compressors

• Pumps; Pump Maintenance; Compressors; Compressor Operations

  Students must learn how different types of pumps and compressors work, how they are constructed, and how they are operated. They should also understand maintenance procedures for efficiency, reliability, and safe startup/shutdown.

Unit Three – Boiler Safety Devices

• Pressure Relief Valves; Combustion Safety Controls; Feedwater Controls; Boiler Fittings; Operating & Safety Controls

  Students need to know code requirements and safe operation of boiler safety fittings. This includes pressure relief valves, burner safety controls, feedwater control systems, and all critical operating/safety devices.

Unit Four – Plant Operations

• Auxiliary Equipment Startup; Boiler Startup; Boiler Operation; Operational Checks; Shutdown & Layup; Monitoring & Recording

  Students must understand step-by-step procedures for safe startup, steady operation, and shutdown of boilers and auxiliaries. They should know what readings and records are essential for monitoring safe and efficient operation.

Unit Five – Plant Maintenance

• Hand Tools & Safety; Mechanical Fasteners & Hoisting; Boiler Service & Maintenance; Inspection & Cleaning

  Students should develop safe practices with tools, fasteners, and lifting equipment. They need to know service requirements for boilers and procedures for preparing boilers for inspection, including chemical and mechanical cleaning.

Unit Six – Water Treatment

• Raw Water Preparation; Boiler Internal Treatment; Condensate Treatment; Cooling Tower/Condenser Water; Cooling & Heating Water Systems

  Students must learn the principles and equipment for water treatment in steam plants. This includes feedwater prep, internal boiler treatment, condensate polishing, and treatment for cooling and heating systems.

Unit Seven – Prime Movers & Engines

• Heat to Work Principles; Steam Turbines; Cooling Towers & Condensers; Gas Turbines; Internal Combustion Engines

  Students must understand how heat energy is converted into mechanical energy. They should know the operation and maintenance of steam turbines, gas turbines, cooling systems, and internal combustion engines.

Unit Eight – Auxiliary Building Systems

• Lighting; Water Supply; Sanitary Systems

  Students should gain knowledge of building service systems in industrial plants, including lighting systems, water supply/distribution, and sanitary drainage designs.

Unit Nine – Refrigeration

• Refrigeration Principles; Compression Systems; Refrigeration Controls; Absorption Systems

  Students must understand refrigeration fundamentals, the operation and maintenance of compression and absorption systems, and the role of safety/operational controls in refrigeration.

Unit Ten – Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)

• Air Conditioning Principles; Humidification; Air Flow & Distribution; Ventilation & Filtration; Ducts & Coils

  Students should know how HVAC systems provide comfort and air quality. They need to study airflow, ventilation, humidification, ductwork, filters, and coil design/operation.

Unit Eleven – Heating & Cooling Systems

• Steam Heating; Hot Water Heating; Common Heating Systems; HVAC System Types; Heat Recovery; Control Strategies

  Students must understand different heating systems (steam and hot water), how HVAC systems are designed and controlled, and energy efficiency methods like heat recovery.

Unit Twelve – Types of Plants

• Industrial Plant Applications

  Students should be able to identify steam-related processes in common industries that employ Power Engineers and understand the role of the operator in these environments.

Potential students are required to submit an application.  Upon acceptance tuition is due.  Once tuition is paid student’s will receive an email with further instructions on when and how they will access their course, along with a copy of our student manual.

The cost of our 4A Power Engineering Course is $850 plus GST.  Textbooks and ABSA examination fees are not included in the tuition.

The textbook for PE4A course will be PanGlobal’s Fourth Class Power Engineering Part A, Edition 3.0 or newer. Used textbooks are permitted.  It is recommended to have Academic Supplement 2.0, Jurisdictional Safety Codes Act and CSA Codes Extract (Optional)

This course offers the option to purchase one, non-refundable course extension for $150+gst, which gives you 3 additional months to complete the course.  Students have 3 attempts to pass unit quizzes, if failed 3 times they will need to contact administration to pay a fee to rewrite and gain access to the test again.

The passing grade for the Final Exam is 65%.  This exam is written in person with a proctor.  For a $100+gst fee, the student is allowed to rewrite the Final Exam after a period of 21 days.  A rewrite is permitted until the student obtains a passing grade.

Students have 6 months to complete the course.  A passing overall grade of 65% is required.  Quizzes are 20% of the final mark, unit tests are 30% and final exams are 50% of the final mark.

Alberta Boiler Safety Association examinations are not included in this course. Students must apply to ABSA in order to write the interprovincial examinations.