NYC Stationary Engineer Exam Questions With
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which type of boiler is typically used in high-pressure steam
systems?
A) Fire-tube boiler
B) Electric boiler
C) Water-tube boiler
D) Cast iron boiler
C) Water-tube boiler
Water-tube boilers can handle higher pressures and temperatures,
making them ideal for high-pressure steam systems.
2. What is the main function of a boiler’s safety valve?
A) Increase efficiency
B) Reduce fuel consumption
C) Prevent overpressure
D) Circulate water
C) Prevent overpressure
Safety valves release steam when pressure exceeds safe limits,
preventing explosions.
3. What is the purpose of a deaerator in a steam system?
A) Increase pressure
B) Remove dissolved gases
C) Filter fuel
D) Heat condensate
B) Remove dissolved gases
, Deaerators remove oxygen and carbon dioxide, which can cause
corrosion in steam systems.
4. Which of the following is a common sign of a leaking steam trap?
A) Cold steam lines
B) Noise in pipes
C) Continuous discharge of condensate
D) Low boiler water level
C) Continuous discharge of condensate
A steam trap leaking condensate continuously indicates failure to
retain condensate and properly release air.
5. What is the primary purpose of a feedwater pump?
A) Cool the boiler
B) Remove air from water
C) Supply water to the boiler
D) Control steam pressure
C) Supply water to the boiler
Feedwater pumps maintain proper water level in the boiler for
safe operation.
6. Which fuel type requires a forced draft system for proper
combustion?
A) Natural gas
B) Coal
C) Fuel oil
D) Diesel
C) Fuel oil
Fuel oil combustion requires atomization and forced air to ensure
complete burning.
,7. In a steam heating system, what does a pressure-reducing valve
do?
A) Increases temperature
B) Decreases pressure for safe distribution
C) Controls water level
D) Eliminates air from the system
B) Decreases pressure for safe distribution
Pressure-reducing valves ensure steam reaches equipment at a
safe, usable pressure.
8. Which instrument measures the efficiency of a boiler?
A) Thermometer
B) Manometer
C) Combustion analyzer
D) Flow meter
C) Combustion analyzer
A combustion analyzer determines efficiency by measuring oxygen,
CO2, and other exhaust gases.
9. What is the primary risk of operating a boiler with low water
level?
A) Excessive pressure
B) Boiler tube overheating
C) Corrosion
D) Fuel inefficiency
B) Boiler tube overheating
Low water exposes boiler tubes, causing overheating and potential
rupture.
, 10. Which type of pump is typically used for moving
condensate?
A) Centrifugal pump
B) Gear pump
C) Reciprocating pump
D) Positive displacement pump
D) Positive displacement pump
Condensate pumps are usually positive displacement to handle
small volumes at high pressure.
11. Which of the following is a characteristic of a high-efficiency
boiler?
A) Uses more fuel
B) Reduces heat loss
C) Operates at low pressure
D) Requires larger stacks
B) Reduces heat loss
High-efficiency boilers minimize energy loss through insulation and
condensing technology.
12. What is the typical cause of priming in a boiler?
A) Low water level
B) High water level
C) Scale buildup
D) Excessive blowdown
B) High water level
Priming occurs when water carries over with steam due to
excessively high water levels.
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which type of boiler is typically used in high-pressure steam
systems?
A) Fire-tube boiler
B) Electric boiler
C) Water-tube boiler
D) Cast iron boiler
C) Water-tube boiler
Water-tube boilers can handle higher pressures and temperatures,
making them ideal for high-pressure steam systems.
2. What is the main function of a boiler’s safety valve?
A) Increase efficiency
B) Reduce fuel consumption
C) Prevent overpressure
D) Circulate water
C) Prevent overpressure
Safety valves release steam when pressure exceeds safe limits,
preventing explosions.
3. What is the purpose of a deaerator in a steam system?
A) Increase pressure
B) Remove dissolved gases
C) Filter fuel
D) Heat condensate
B) Remove dissolved gases
, Deaerators remove oxygen and carbon dioxide, which can cause
corrosion in steam systems.
4. Which of the following is a common sign of a leaking steam trap?
A) Cold steam lines
B) Noise in pipes
C) Continuous discharge of condensate
D) Low boiler water level
C) Continuous discharge of condensate
A steam trap leaking condensate continuously indicates failure to
retain condensate and properly release air.
5. What is the primary purpose of a feedwater pump?
A) Cool the boiler
B) Remove air from water
C) Supply water to the boiler
D) Control steam pressure
C) Supply water to the boiler
Feedwater pumps maintain proper water level in the boiler for
safe operation.
6. Which fuel type requires a forced draft system for proper
combustion?
A) Natural gas
B) Coal
C) Fuel oil
D) Diesel
C) Fuel oil
Fuel oil combustion requires atomization and forced air to ensure
complete burning.
,7. In a steam heating system, what does a pressure-reducing valve
do?
A) Increases temperature
B) Decreases pressure for safe distribution
C) Controls water level
D) Eliminates air from the system
B) Decreases pressure for safe distribution
Pressure-reducing valves ensure steam reaches equipment at a
safe, usable pressure.
8. Which instrument measures the efficiency of a boiler?
A) Thermometer
B) Manometer
C) Combustion analyzer
D) Flow meter
C) Combustion analyzer
A combustion analyzer determines efficiency by measuring oxygen,
CO2, and other exhaust gases.
9. What is the primary risk of operating a boiler with low water
level?
A) Excessive pressure
B) Boiler tube overheating
C) Corrosion
D) Fuel inefficiency
B) Boiler tube overheating
Low water exposes boiler tubes, causing overheating and potential
rupture.
, 10. Which type of pump is typically used for moving
condensate?
A) Centrifugal pump
B) Gear pump
C) Reciprocating pump
D) Positive displacement pump
D) Positive displacement pump
Condensate pumps are usually positive displacement to handle
small volumes at high pressure.
11. Which of the following is a characteristic of a high-efficiency
boiler?
A) Uses more fuel
B) Reduces heat loss
C) Operates at low pressure
D) Requires larger stacks
B) Reduces heat loss
High-efficiency boilers minimize energy loss through insulation and
condensing technology.
12. What is the typical cause of priming in a boiler?
A) Low water level
B) High water level
C) Scale buildup
D) Excessive blowdown
B) High water level
Priming occurs when water carries over with steam due to
excessively high water levels.
