Control Valves Education and Training

Keep your industrial control valves running by properly educating and training your workforce
By Jennifer Ehlenfeldt, Freelance Writer The flow control valve varies widely depending on its use, making it somewhat of a challenge to master. Control valves that control liquids or gases differ significantly and workers must operate them on a case-by-case basis. Training your employees in the proper installation, care and maintenance of control valves is the key to preventing accidents. Save lives and your bottom line by training your workforce.

Control valves come in many options from an idle air control valve to a hydraulic control valve and many more. If you don't already have a manufacturer that supplies your valves, look for one that will provide training and assistance. If your current manufacturer isn't much of a help, don't fret. There are many other educational opportunities for you to utilize. Start by:

1. Finding a company knowledgeable about the use of control valves to educate your employees.

2. Using online training materials to give your employees a control valve refresher.

3. Networking with other control valve users to find and share valuable training materials.

Outsource your control valves education and training

Whether you need to train your employees on proper air control valve maintenance and operations or are looking for an overall water control valve course, there are many online options. Look for materials that cover your specific needs from installation or maintenance to finding problems and correcting them.
Try:  Hire Emerson Process Management to educate your maintenance department or your entire workforce. They offer control valve engineering overview courses, maintenance and diagnostic courses. IDC Technologies offers several valve training materials including books, online courses and conferences.

Use training materials, product manuals or other information on control valves for training

Control valve manufacturers often offer product training or other information free of charge. If you don't find what you are looking for on their websites, contact them for any training materials they might be able to provide. If you don't need brand specific valve information, consider using guides that are more general in your engineering and maintenance-training program.
Try:  Find a listing of valve training resources at the Plant Maintenance Resource Center. Use ChemicalProcessing.com for a resource of information on control valves. Their articles talk about maintenance issues, production and how it relates to your valve use and many other important control valve issues.

Join an engineering or industrial organization for good flow control valves information

Network with your peers to find countless resources from shared training materials to conferences and on-site training by companies that have proved their effectiveness with others. Other users of control valves could prove to be valuable resources in your continued education and training on these parts as they share experiences with you and your employees.
Try:  The National Association of Manufacturers is a big organization to join with a membership that includes small and medium manufacturers, multinational firms and 350 other associations. Joining the National Society of Professional Engineers allows you access to federal, state and local groups that share your interests and involvements. Ask the Valve Manufacturers Association of America for help. They represent about 100 valve manufacturers in the U.S.

• An industrial control valve is prone to corrosion, which makes proper maintenance and operation training very important. Make sure your maintenance crew is properly inspecting and caring for the valves by keeping your workforce trained.