The Goverment of Alberta, recently approved the new 4th and 5th class Power Engineering Certificates of Competency for introduction into the Safety Codes Act, Engineers’ Regulations. The implementation date is Ist September 1998. As a result of this recent approval, Alberta is now consistent with the majority of other Canadian Provinces and Territories with respect to achieving standardization for the new 4th and 5th class Certification programs. In addition to creating greater efficiency of manpower utilization in industry, this will enhance the new certificate holders ability to relocate or transfer to other jurisdictions in Canada as the certifications are considered to be equivalent.

A. GENERAL

• The New 4th and 5th class Power Engineering Certificates of Competency, and all associated Examinations will be implemented in Sept. 1998. At that time, existing examinations for 4th Class, Fireman, BOA and BOB will no longer be available, except for those students currently enrolled in an applicable distance learning initiative.
• The New 4th Class Certificate of Competency is a combination of the existing 4th Class and the Building Operator ‘A’ Certifications.
• The 5th Class Certificate of Competency is a combination of the existing Fireman Class and the Building Operator ‘B’ Certifications.
• Holders of existing valid certificates (4th Class, Fireman, BOA and BOB) are allowed to continue to function in accordance with the Engineers’ Regulations tie) the existing certificates remain effective. Alternatively, there is the option to upgrade to the new Certifications by successfully completing a mini upgrade course through one of the technical institutes, and then, in each case, challenging the Upgrade Examination.
• Individuals who hold both a valid Fireman’s and a valid BOB Certificate can make application to be grand-fathered to the new 5th Class Certificate in Sept. 98.
• Individuals who hold both a valid 4th and a valid BOA Certificate can make application to be grand-fathered to the new 4th Class Certificate in Sept. 98.
• There will be some individuals currently enrolled in a distace learning program for the current 4th Class, Fireman’s, BOA or BOB, who may not successfully finish the course, or attain the required work experience by Sept 98. The following exceptions will be made for these individuals: Write the existing Alberta Government examinations for 4th, Fireman’s, BOA or BOB, during an interim period of approximately 4 months (until 31 December 98) provided the required experience has been achieved in accordance with the Engineers’ Regulations, OR Successfully complete the correspondence course, and then successfully complete an applicable mini upgrade course through a technical institute. Candidates may then attempt to write the examination for the new 4th Class or the 5th Class, provided the required experience has been achieved in accordance with the Engineers’ Regulations.
• Syllabi for the new 4th and 5th Class Power Engineering Certificate of Competency Examinations, and for the mini Upgrade Examinations will be available by June 98.
• It is strongly suggested that all Power Engineers, including existing 4th Class, Firemen, Building Operators ‘A’ and ‘B’, and those individuals wishing to attempt new 4th and 5th Clas Power Engineering Examinatio obtain a copy of the Safe Codes Act, Revised Enginee Regulations for reference.
• The Alberta Boilers Safety Association will be revising Examination Application form to accommodate the new 4th and 5th Class examinations, and the Upgrade Examinations.
• The fees for examination and certification remain the same, and would therefore be as follows: A fee of $20.00 for each examination paper. A fee of $40.00 for the 5th Class Certificate of Com- petency. A fee of $60.00 for the new 4th Class Certificate of Competency.
• Individuals upgrading to a new Certificate of Competency will not be required to return their existing certificate(s), however, for the existing Certificate(s) to remain valid, the renewal fee must be paid annually.
• New examinations will be in "multiple choice" format with 150 questions each for part A and part B of the new 4th, 150 questions for the 5th, and approximately 50 questions for each of the Upgrade Examinations.

• The 5th Class Certificate of Competency is a combination of the existing Fireman’s and Building Operator ‘B’, and as such allows the holder to operate either a heating plant not exceeding 3000 kW, or a power plant as described in the Engineers Regulations.
• Individuals wishing to attempt the 5th Class examinations in Sept 98, will require proof of experience in accordance with the Engineers Regulations in BOTH a heating plant and a power plant, OR, experience in one of the plants PLUS successful completion of the 5th Class course.
• Holders of an existing valid Fireman glass Certificate have the option to upgrade to the 5th Class Certificate by successfully completing a mini upgrade course through one of the technical institutes, OR by gaining the required experience in a heating plant in accordance with the Engineers Regulations, and then, in either case, challenge the applicable Upgrade Examination
• Holders of an existing valid BOB Certificate have the option to upgrade to the 5th Class Certificate, by successfully completing a mini upgrade course through one of the technical institutes, OR, by gaining the required experience in a power plant in accordance with the Engineers’ Regulations, and then, in either case, challenging the applicable Upgrade Examination.

  ---

  This article appeared previously in the "The Pressure News", a publication of the Alberta Boilers Safety Association.
  
  
  
  First published September 1998

  ---