The BCU (burner control unit) 370 controls, ignites, and monitors industrial forced air burners of unlimited capacity in intermittent or continuous operatio. It can be used for directly ignited forced air burners or forced air burners ignited with a pilot burner. The burner control unit activates the blower and sets the connected solenoid gas valves to the pre-purging and ignition position. After the pre-purge and burner start, an enable signal is sent to an external controller that positions the butterfly valve according to the output demand. Post-purge occurs after the end of the burner operatio. The BCU 370 monitors the gas and air pressure, an integrated tightness control function (optional) checks the valves with an external gas pressure switch. The quick-start option allows standard-compliant start-up of a forced air burner without pre-purge after normal shutdown. This means unnecessary air won’t get into the combustion chamber. The heat output is available as quickly as possible after a temperature demand.