Clay kiln burner

Clay kiln burners bake clay products such as brick, sewer pipe or tiles using periodic or tunnel kilns. They regulate valves, observe thermometers, watch for fluctuations, and maintain the kilns.

The following job titles also refer to clay kiln burner:

retort kiln operator
kiln burner
roofing tile kiln operative
retort kiln operative
gas kiln operative
field kiln operator
gas kiln operator
retort kiln burner
kilnman
brick kiln operator
roofing tile burner
brick kiln operative
brick kiln burner
periodic kiln burner
dry kiln operator
dry kiln burner
dry kiln operative
kilnwoman
field kiln operative
roofing tile kiln operator
field kiln burner

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a clay kiln burner.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Clay kiln burner is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to clay kiln burner.

kiln firer
clay products dry kiln operator
tunnel kiln operator
lime kiln operator
soap chipper

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of clay kiln burner. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of clay kiln burner with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

air separation plant operator
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
chemical plant control room operator
chemical processing plant controller
gas processing plant supervisor

These skills are necessary for the role of clay kiln burner.

• Optimise production processes parameters: Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Adjust clay burning level: Adjust the temperature of clay baking or burning by operating the valves and the dampers in order to allow specific amounts of gas or oil to be burned.
• Observe products’ behaviour: Observe the color of fires and pyrometric cones under certain processing conditions such as high temperature.
• Control kiln firing: Control and monitor the kiln so that it fires ware (greenware or decorations) according to specified thickness and hardness.
• Regulate gas-firing: Regulate the gas-firing on the glass sheets edges in order to avoid the slippage of the sheets from the guide wheels.
• Prevent kiln loss of heat: Prevent the waste of heat by sealing the kiln door with bricks and clay.
• Adjust oven temperature: Adjust the oven temperature level and uniformity by correcting the fuel feed.
• Manage kiln ventilation: Managing a product specific and energy efficient kiln ventilation.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of clay kiln burner. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Transfer kiln-baked products: Transfer the baked products from the tunnel kiln into the sorting area by using a transfer car.
• Prepare kiln firebox: Prepare the firebox and give indications to other workers on lighting fires.
• Monitor environmental parameters: Check the impact of manufacturing machinery on the environment, analysing temperature levels, water quality and air pollution.
• Perform kiln maintenance: Perform small maintenance tasks on drawing kiln such as replacing the cooling pads of the jacket and plugging in the kiln with mortar.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Manage waste: Manage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials or hazardous materials. Ensure required licenses and permits are in place and reasonable management practices, industry standards, or commonly accepted farming practices followed.
• Write batch record documentation: Write reports on the manufactured batches history taking into account the raw data, tests performed and compliance to GMP of each batch of product.
• Types of tile: Tiles of different sizes, materials and glazing. Their properties such as weight, propensity to chipping or breaking, moisture resistance, adhesion and cost.
• Store products: Store products to ensure the quality and in accordance with standards and regulations. Ensure the stock facilities are kept according to hygiene standards, regulating temperature, heating and air conditioning of storage facilities.

8181 – Glass and ceramics plant operators

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References

1. Clay kiln burner – ESCO