MINNESOTA SPECIAL ENGINEER
BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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? -
ANSWER10 Sq. Ft. Heating Surface
What is meant by the term "Low Pressure Boiler"? - ANSWERBoilers 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)? - ANSWERHigh 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? - ANSWERIn 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? -
ANSWERShut 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? - ANSWERSafety valve and/or an ASME approved safety relief valve.
A Tri indicator could be found on a: - ANSWERHot water boiler
A tri indicator would inform the boiler operator of what? - ANSWERThe
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? - ANSWERThe
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? - ANSWERSteam first then hot water.
Some of the things you could find on a steam boiler (or hot water boiler) are what? -
ANSWERLow water cut off, safety valve or safety relief valve, pressure gauge.
, What devices would only be found on a steam boiler? - ANSWERSteam pressure
gauge, tricocks, Pressuretrols
True or False: Bottom blow down valves are used for both steam and hot water. -
ANSWERTrue
Safety valves or safety relief valves should be manually tested at least...? -
ANSWERMonthly
The low water cut out is one of the most important electrical/mechanical devices on your
boiler. How often should you test it? - ANSWERDaily
What device must be located between a hot water boiler and the expansion tank? -
ANSWERA 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? - ANSWERThe expansion tank is water logged, or the isolating valve for the
expansion tank is closed.
An Aquastat is used on a...? - ANSWERHot water boiler
To reduce thermal shock on hot water boilers, what devices are used? - ANSWERLow
limit or low fire hold control, three way valve, run around pump.
On a steam boiler the control named operator will... - ANSWEROn pressure decrease:
Start. On pressure increase: Stop.
On a hot water boiler the control called the operator will... - ANSWEROn temperature
decrease: Start. On temperature increase: Stop.
On a steam boiler what is a siphon or pigtail used for? - ANSWERTo protect the steam
gauge from too high of temperature.
What is one reason causing the expansion tank to fill with water? - ANSWERAir leaks
from the gauge glass fitting.
What would you do if you cam into a boiler room and found no water in the boiler? -
ANSWERShut off the burner and allow boiler to cool.
What is the purpose of the bottom blow down on a steam boiler? - ANSWERTo remove
sludge and sediment and to drain the boiler.
When blowing down the water column the water should do what? - ANSWERRefill the
gauge glass quickly.
BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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? -
ANSWER10 Sq. Ft. Heating Surface
What is meant by the term "Low Pressure Boiler"? - ANSWERBoilers 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)? - ANSWERHigh 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? - ANSWERIn 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? -
ANSWERShut 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? - ANSWERSafety valve and/or an ASME approved safety relief valve.
A Tri indicator could be found on a: - ANSWERHot water boiler
A tri indicator would inform the boiler operator of what? - ANSWERThe
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? - ANSWERThe
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? - ANSWERSteam first then hot water.
Some of the things you could find on a steam boiler (or hot water boiler) are what? -
ANSWERLow water cut off, safety valve or safety relief valve, pressure gauge.
, What devices would only be found on a steam boiler? - ANSWERSteam pressure
gauge, tricocks, Pressuretrols
True or False: Bottom blow down valves are used for both steam and hot water. -
ANSWERTrue
Safety valves or safety relief valves should be manually tested at least...? -
ANSWERMonthly
The low water cut out is one of the most important electrical/mechanical devices on your
boiler. How often should you test it? - ANSWERDaily
What device must be located between a hot water boiler and the expansion tank? -
ANSWERA 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? - ANSWERThe expansion tank is water logged, or the isolating valve for the
expansion tank is closed.
An Aquastat is used on a...? - ANSWERHot water boiler
To reduce thermal shock on hot water boilers, what devices are used? - ANSWERLow
limit or low fire hold control, three way valve, run around pump.
On a steam boiler the control named operator will... - ANSWEROn pressure decrease:
Start. On pressure increase: Stop.
On a hot water boiler the control called the operator will... - ANSWEROn temperature
decrease: Start. On temperature increase: Stop.
On a steam boiler what is a siphon or pigtail used for? - ANSWERTo protect the steam
gauge from too high of temperature.
What is one reason causing the expansion tank to fill with water? - ANSWERAir leaks
from the gauge glass fitting.
What would you do if you cam into a boiler room and found no water in the boiler? -
ANSWERShut off the burner and allow boiler to cool.
What is the purpose of the bottom blow down on a steam boiler? - ANSWERTo remove
sludge and sediment and to drain the boiler.
When blowing down the water column the water should do what? - ANSWERRefill the
gauge glass quickly.
