MINNESOTA SPECIAL ENGINEER BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS,
SPECIAL BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE EXAM MINNESOTA, SAFE BOILER OPERATION
FUNDAMENTALS—SPECIAL ENGINEER'S GUIDE FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA,
PRACTICE TEST
For the purpose of rating boiler horsepower for an Engineers License only, how many square feet of
boiler surface shall be equivalent to one boiler horsepower on a boiler? -
Answer-10 Sq. Ft. Heating Surface
What is meant by the term "Low Pressure Boiler"? -
Answer-Boilers operating at a steam or other vapor pressure of 15psig or less, or a hot water or other
liquid boiler in which the pressure does not exceed 160 psig or a temperature of 250 degrees F.
A person holding a current State of Minnesota Special Engineers License could be in charge of, or a shift
engineer in what size plant(s)? -
Answer-High and Low pressure boilers not to exceed a total of 50 boiler horsepower, or a shift engineer
in a 100 horsepower plant.
Special Engineer may serve as an apprentice of what size water/liquid or steam/vapor boiler? -
Answer-In any plant regardless of size under the direct supervision of a properly licensed engineer.
The purpose of low water cut out on a steam or hot water boiler is to what? -
Answer-Shut off the burner when a low water condition exists.
The valve or valves that must relieve all excess pressure on a steam or hot water boiler are what? -
Answer-Safety valve and/or an ASME approved safety relief valve.
A Tri indicator could be found on a: -
Answer-Hot water boiler
A tri indicator would inform the boiler operator of what? -
Answer-The TEMPERATURE of the water, the PRESSURE of the water in PSIG, and the ALTITUDE of
water in feet.
,What is the destructive force in a steam or hot water boiler explosion? -
Answer-The instant release of energy stored in the water as heat.
An ASME approved safety relieve calve used on a hot water boiler is tested at the factory on what? -
Answer-Steam first then hot water.
Some of the things you could find on a steam boiler (or hot water boiler) are what? -
Answer-Low water cut off, safety valve or safety relief valve, pressure gauge.
What devices would only be found on a steam boiler? -
Answer-Steam pressure gauge, tricocks, Pressuretrols
An expansion tank or compression tank would be used in what? -
Answer-Hot water boiler
What is the purpose of the expansion tank? -
Answer-To provide for expansion and contraction of the water volume as its temperature varies.
On a hot water boiler, what is the purpose of the vent valve? -
Answer-To make sure there is water inside the boiler and to vent any trapped air.
If the safety valve or ASME safety relief valve leaks you would do what? -
Answer-Have the valve repaired or replaced.
Tri cocks or gauge cocks are sued on a steam boiler to indicate? -
Answer-The true water level inside the boiler.
On a steam or hot water boiler, the safety valve or safety relief valve could be tested by? -
Answer-When the boiler is running lifting the lever on the valve or raising the pressure until they operate.
,Before starting a steam or hot water boiler you should check for what? -
Answer-Water in the boiler.
True or False: Bottom blow down valves are used for both steam and hot water. -
Answer-True
Safety valves or safety relief valves should be manually tested at least...? -
Answer-Monthly
The low water cut out is one of the most important electrical/mechanical devices on your boiler. How
often should you test it? -
Answer-Daily
What device must be located between a hot water boiler and the expansion tank? -
Answer-A shut off valve so the expansion can be isolated and drained during operation of the boiler.
On a hot water boiler, every time the burner operates the safety relief valve opens. Why? -
Answer-The expansion tank is water logged, or the isolating valve for the expansion tank is closed.
An Aquastat is used on a...? -
Answer-Hot water boiler
To reduce thermal shock on hot water boilers, what devices are used? -
Answer-Low limit or low fire hold control, three way valve, run around pump.
On a steam boiler the control named operator will... -
Answer-On pressure decrease: Start. On pressure increase: Stop.
On a hot water boiler the control called the operator will... -
Answer-On temperature decrease: Start. On temperature increase: Stop.
, On a steam boiler what is a siphon or pigtail used for? -
Answer-To protect the steam gauge from too high of temperature.
What is one reason causing the expansion tank to fill with water? -
Answer-Air leaks from the gauge glass fitting.
What would you do if you cam into a boiler room and found no water in the boiler? -
Answer-Shut off the burner and allow boiler to cool.
What is the purpose of the bottom blow down on a steam boiler? -
Answer-To remove sludge and sediment and to drain the boiler.
When blowing down the water column the water should do what? -
Answer-Refill the gauge glass quickly.
When doing the annual boiler inspection the boiler should... -
Answer-Water and fire side cleaned and inspection ports open.
Purging is part of what cycle? -
Answer-Firing cycle
All steam traps will prevent steam from passing through them but will allow what to pass through them?
-
Answer-Dirt, air, and condensate.
How do we know if we are using and approved safety valve for a steam boiler or a safety relief valve for
a hot water boiler? -
Answer-A spring loaded direct acting safety valve or safety relief valve.
Before testing a low water fuel cut-out what must be done? -
Answer-The burner must be on.
Heat can be transferred in how many ways? -
SPECIAL BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE EXAM MINNESOTA, SAFE BOILER OPERATION
FUNDAMENTALS—SPECIAL ENGINEER'S GUIDE FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA,
PRACTICE TEST
For the purpose of rating boiler horsepower for an Engineers License only, how many square feet of
boiler surface shall be equivalent to one boiler horsepower on a boiler? -
Answer-10 Sq. Ft. Heating Surface
What is meant by the term "Low Pressure Boiler"? -
Answer-Boilers operating at a steam or other vapor pressure of 15psig or less, or a hot water or other
liquid boiler in which the pressure does not exceed 160 psig or a temperature of 250 degrees F.
A person holding a current State of Minnesota Special Engineers License could be in charge of, or a shift
engineer in what size plant(s)? -
Answer-High and Low pressure boilers not to exceed a total of 50 boiler horsepower, or a shift engineer
in a 100 horsepower plant.
Special Engineer may serve as an apprentice of what size water/liquid or steam/vapor boiler? -
Answer-In any plant regardless of size under the direct supervision of a properly licensed engineer.
The purpose of low water cut out on a steam or hot water boiler is to what? -
Answer-Shut off the burner when a low water condition exists.
The valve or valves that must relieve all excess pressure on a steam or hot water boiler are what? -
Answer-Safety valve and/or an ASME approved safety relief valve.
A Tri indicator could be found on a: -
Answer-Hot water boiler
A tri indicator would inform the boiler operator of what? -
Answer-The TEMPERATURE of the water, the PRESSURE of the water in PSIG, and the ALTITUDE of
water in feet.
,What is the destructive force in a steam or hot water boiler explosion? -
Answer-The instant release of energy stored in the water as heat.
An ASME approved safety relieve calve used on a hot water boiler is tested at the factory on what? -
Answer-Steam first then hot water.
Some of the things you could find on a steam boiler (or hot water boiler) are what? -
Answer-Low water cut off, safety valve or safety relief valve, pressure gauge.
What devices would only be found on a steam boiler? -
Answer-Steam pressure gauge, tricocks, Pressuretrols
An expansion tank or compression tank would be used in what? -
Answer-Hot water boiler
What is the purpose of the expansion tank? -
Answer-To provide for expansion and contraction of the water volume as its temperature varies.
On a hot water boiler, what is the purpose of the vent valve? -
Answer-To make sure there is water inside the boiler and to vent any trapped air.
If the safety valve or ASME safety relief valve leaks you would do what? -
Answer-Have the valve repaired or replaced.
Tri cocks or gauge cocks are sued on a steam boiler to indicate? -
Answer-The true water level inside the boiler.
On a steam or hot water boiler, the safety valve or safety relief valve could be tested by? -
Answer-When the boiler is running lifting the lever on the valve or raising the pressure until they operate.
,Before starting a steam or hot water boiler you should check for what? -
Answer-Water in the boiler.
True or False: Bottom blow down valves are used for both steam and hot water. -
Answer-True
Safety valves or safety relief valves should be manually tested at least...? -
Answer-Monthly
The low water cut out is one of the most important electrical/mechanical devices on your boiler. How
often should you test it? -
Answer-Daily
What device must be located between a hot water boiler and the expansion tank? -
Answer-A shut off valve so the expansion can be isolated and drained during operation of the boiler.
On a hot water boiler, every time the burner operates the safety relief valve opens. Why? -
Answer-The expansion tank is water logged, or the isolating valve for the expansion tank is closed.
An Aquastat is used on a...? -
Answer-Hot water boiler
To reduce thermal shock on hot water boilers, what devices are used? -
Answer-Low limit or low fire hold control, three way valve, run around pump.
On a steam boiler the control named operator will... -
Answer-On pressure decrease: Start. On pressure increase: Stop.
On a hot water boiler the control called the operator will... -
Answer-On temperature decrease: Start. On temperature increase: Stop.
, On a steam boiler what is a siphon or pigtail used for? -
Answer-To protect the steam gauge from too high of temperature.
What is one reason causing the expansion tank to fill with water? -
Answer-Air leaks from the gauge glass fitting.
What would you do if you cam into a boiler room and found no water in the boiler? -
Answer-Shut off the burner and allow boiler to cool.
What is the purpose of the bottom blow down on a steam boiler? -
Answer-To remove sludge and sediment and to drain the boiler.
When blowing down the water column the water should do what? -
Answer-Refill the gauge glass quickly.
When doing the annual boiler inspection the boiler should... -
Answer-Water and fire side cleaned and inspection ports open.
Purging is part of what cycle? -
Answer-Firing cycle
All steam traps will prevent steam from passing through them but will allow what to pass through them?
-
Answer-Dirt, air, and condensate.
How do we know if we are using and approved safety valve for a steam boiler or a safety relief valve for
a hot water boiler? -
Answer-A spring loaded direct acting safety valve or safety relief valve.
Before testing a low water fuel cut-out what must be done? -
Answer-The burner must be on.
Heat can be transferred in how many ways? -
