Page 1 of 128
Minnesota Special Engineer Boiler License, Safe Boiler
Operation Fundamentals EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Minnesota Special Engineer Boiler License , Safe Boiler Operation Fundamentals EXAM –
-Exam Coverage and Key Topics
Minnesota Boiler Statutes & Rules: Regulations from the Minnesota Department of Labor and
Industry, including inspector access and engineer duties.
Boiler Components & Functionality: Understanding safety valves, low-water cutoffs, pressure
gauges, water columns, and flame scanners.
Safe Operation Procedures: Starting, operating, and shutting down boilers; managing
feedwater, fuel types (natural gas, oil), and combustion.
Safety & Emergency Response: Testing safety valves, handling low-water conditions, preventing
explosions, and understanding the destructive force of high-pressure water.
Basic Troubleshooting: Recognizing common issues, such as scale, corrosion, and improper
water levels.
Definitions & Calculations: Definition of a "Low Pressure Boiler" (
15 psig or
160 psig/250°F hot water), and defining 1 boiler horsepower as 10 sq. ft. of heating surface.
QUESTION: 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.
,Page 2 of 128
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: Special Engineer may serve as an apprentice of what size water/liquid or
steam/vapor boiler?
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-In
any plant regardless of size under the direct supervision of a properly licensed engineer.
,Page 3 of 128
10 Sq. Ft. Heating Surface
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: A Tri indicator could be found on a: - ANSWER-Hot water boiler
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: 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.
, Page 4 of 128
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: What devices would only be found on a steam boiler? - ANSWER-Steam pressure
gauge, tricocks, Pressuretrols
QUESTION: An expansion tank or compression tank would be used in what? - ANSWER-Hot
water boiler
QUESTION: What is the purpose of the expansion tank? - ANSWER-To provide for expansion
and contraction of the water volume as its temperature varies.
QUESTION: 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.
Minnesota Special Engineer Boiler License, Safe Boiler
Operation Fundamentals EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Minnesota Special Engineer Boiler License , Safe Boiler Operation Fundamentals EXAM –
-Exam Coverage and Key Topics
Minnesota Boiler Statutes & Rules: Regulations from the Minnesota Department of Labor and
Industry, including inspector access and engineer duties.
Boiler Components & Functionality: Understanding safety valves, low-water cutoffs, pressure
gauges, water columns, and flame scanners.
Safe Operation Procedures: Starting, operating, and shutting down boilers; managing
feedwater, fuel types (natural gas, oil), and combustion.
Safety & Emergency Response: Testing safety valves, handling low-water conditions, preventing
explosions, and understanding the destructive force of high-pressure water.
Basic Troubleshooting: Recognizing common issues, such as scale, corrosion, and improper
water levels.
Definitions & Calculations: Definition of a "Low Pressure Boiler" (
15 psig or
160 psig/250°F hot water), and defining 1 boiler horsepower as 10 sq. ft. of heating surface.
QUESTION: 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.
,Page 2 of 128
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: Special Engineer may serve as an apprentice of what size water/liquid or
steam/vapor boiler?
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-In
any plant regardless of size under the direct supervision of a properly licensed engineer.
,Page 3 of 128
10 Sq. Ft. Heating Surface
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: A Tri indicator could be found on a: - ANSWER-Hot water boiler
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: 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.
, Page 4 of 128
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: 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.
QUESTION: What devices would only be found on a steam boiler? - ANSWER-Steam pressure
gauge, tricocks, Pressuretrols
QUESTION: An expansion tank or compression tank would be used in what? - ANSWER-Hot
water boiler
QUESTION: What is the purpose of the expansion tank? - ANSWER-To provide for expansion
and contraction of the water volume as its temperature varies.
QUESTION: 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.
