What is BS EN 15270 – Pellet burners for small heating boilers about?
Pellet burners are a device for burning pellets where the control can be of different types; on-off, mechanical, modulating or multi stage. The pellets can be fed horizontally, from above or from below the burner.
BS EN 15270 is a European Standard that discusses the requirements, testing methods and marking scheme for pellet burners for small heating boilers. The main objective of BS EN 15270 is to provide the best industry safety requirements and tests to demonstrate the performance of pellet burners.
BS EN 15270 relates to pellet burners having a maximum heat input of not more than 70 kW, intended for fitting with appropriate boilers for hot water, and intended for high quality pellets in accordance with CEN/TS 14961:2005 Annex A.
BS EN 15270 contains requirements and test methods for safety, combustion quality, operating characteristics and maintenance of pellet burners and covers and also all external equipment that influences the safety systems.
BS EN 15270 also contains information on how to enable a correct match between pellet burner and boiler.
Note: Pellet burners that are sold as a complete unit together with their own dedicated boilers are not covered under BS EN 15270.
Who is BS EN 15270 - Pellet burners for small heating boilers for? 
BS EN 15270 on pellet burners for small heating boilers is relevant to: 
- Manufacturers of pellet burners
- Manufacturers of solid fuel heaters and heat engineering components
- Product designers
- Quality control and testing personnel
- Mechanical engineers
- Maintenance personnel
Why should you use BS EN 15270 - Pellet burners for small heating boilers?
A pellet burner uses compressed wood or biomass to generate heat it. With steady supply of fuel for the generation of heat source, it almost requires no other physical adjustments. Apart from that, pellet burners also heat up the space through convection, unlike the fireplaces in houses, along with the material it is made up of. To avoid consequent hazards and malfunctions, it is vital that they be compliant with best industry requirements and test methods.
BS EN 15270 provides a classification and grouping of pellet burners based on its means of ignition, methods of control, combustion chamber, and external or internal fuel hopper.
BS EN 15270 provides the best industry guidance on the quality of materials, form and dimensioning of the components to ensure that the pellet burner is capable of operating safely and during a reasonable economic life time, if installed, operated, maintained and adjusted correctly under the conditions specified by the manufacturer and exposed to the related mechanical, chemical and thermal stresses.
If you are a manufacturer, you can also undertake a risk assessment covering all potential hazards of the burner and the measures how to avoid or control them including allocation of safety levels.
BS EN 15270 also walks you through the test methods necessary to demonstrate the performance of the appliance such that they are safe and effective when in operation.
As a result, adopting BS EN 15270 requirements and test methods can help determine whether or not your products are fit for purpose. Consequently, potential hazards arising from failure of control functions and back burning can be avoided.
