__________________________________________________________________
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS SUPERVISING
STEAMFITTER Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales Complete
Exam Prep & Study Guide
___________________________________________________________________
1. What is the primary purpose of a steam trap?
A. Increase boiler pressure
B. Remove condensate and noncondensable gases while retaining steam
C. Reduce pipe diameter
D. Increase steam temperature
Answer: Remove condensate and noncondensable gases while retaining steam
Rationale: A steam trap automatically discharges condensate and air from a
steam system while preventing live steam from escaping unnecessarily.
2. What is the principal reason steam piping must be pitched properly?
A. To increase steam velocity
B. To prevent pipe expansion
C. To allow condensate to drain safely
D. To increase boiler pressure
Answer: To allow condensate to drain safely
Rationale: Proper pitch allows gravity drainage of condensate toward the boiler,
steam trap, or designated collection point and helps reduce water hammer.
3. What condition is most commonly associated with water hammer in steam
piping?
,A. Excessive insulation
B. Accumulation of condensate
C. Low oxygen content
D. Oversized pipe supports
Answer: Accumulation of condensate
Rationale: When high-velocity steam encounters trapped condensate, the
resulting hydraulic impact can produce severe water hammer and damage
piping and equipment.
4. What component normally removes condensate from a steam main
automatically?
A. Check valve
B. Steam trap
C. Pressure gauge
D. Strainer
Answer: Steam trap
Rationale: Steam traps are designed to discharge condensate without
permitting continuous live-steam loss.
5. What is the function of a drip leg on a steam main?
A. Store fuel oil
B. Collect condensate
C. Increase burner air
D. Reduce boiler water level
Answer: Collect condensate
Rationale: Drip legs provide a low point where condensate can collect and be
removed through a trap or other appropriate drainage arrangement.
6. What is the primary function of a boiler safety valve?
,A. Control feedwater temperature
B. Prevent excessive pressure
C. Increase combustion efficiency
D. Regulate condensate return
Answer: Prevent excessive pressure
Rationale: A safety valve protects a steam boiler against dangerous
overpressure by opening at its set pressure. NYC Mechanical Code requires
steam boilers to be protected with safety valves meeting applicable standards.
7. Which organization publishes the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
commonly referenced for boiler construction?
A. ASME
B. OSHA
C. EPA
D. ASTM
Answer: ASME
Rationale: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers publishes the ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, which is extensively referenced for boiler and
pressure-vessel requirements.
8. What does a boiler low-water cutoff protect against?
A. Excessive condensate return
B. Firing the boiler with insufficient water
C. Excessive steam pressure only
D. Low fuel temperature
Answer: Firing the boiler with insufficient water
Rationale: A low-water condition can expose heating surfaces to excessive
temperatures and cause severe boiler damage or failure.
, 9. Under the NYC Mechanical Code, steam and hot-water boilers generally
require what type of low-water protection?
A. No low-water protection
B. Dual low-water cutoff controls, subject to applicable exceptions
C. One manual valve
D. A condensate pump only
Answer: Dual low-water cutoff controls, subject to applicable exceptions
Rationale: NYC Mechanical Code MC 1007 establishes dual low-water cutoff
protection for steam and hot-water boilers, with specified exceptions.
10.What is the purpose of a boiler blowdown?
A. Increase steam pressure
B. Remove accumulated impurities from boiler water
C. Increase fuel pressure
D. Add oxygen to the boiler
Answer: Remove accumulated impurities from boiler water
Rationale: Blowdown removes concentrated dissolved and suspended solids and
helps maintain acceptable boiler-water chemistry.
11.Which instrument indicates the pressure inside a steam boiler or steam
system?
A. Thermocouple
B. Pressure gauge
C. Flow switch
D. Hydrometer
Answer: Pressure gauge
Rationale: A pressure gauge provides a visual indication of system pressure and
is essential for safe boiler operation and troubleshooting.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS SUPERVISING
STEAMFITTER Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales Complete
Exam Prep & Study Guide
___________________________________________________________________
1. What is the primary purpose of a steam trap?
A. Increase boiler pressure
B. Remove condensate and noncondensable gases while retaining steam
C. Reduce pipe diameter
D. Increase steam temperature
Answer: Remove condensate and noncondensable gases while retaining steam
Rationale: A steam trap automatically discharges condensate and air from a
steam system while preventing live steam from escaping unnecessarily.
2. What is the principal reason steam piping must be pitched properly?
A. To increase steam velocity
B. To prevent pipe expansion
C. To allow condensate to drain safely
D. To increase boiler pressure
Answer: To allow condensate to drain safely
Rationale: Proper pitch allows gravity drainage of condensate toward the boiler,
steam trap, or designated collection point and helps reduce water hammer.
3. What condition is most commonly associated with water hammer in steam
piping?
,A. Excessive insulation
B. Accumulation of condensate
C. Low oxygen content
D. Oversized pipe supports
Answer: Accumulation of condensate
Rationale: When high-velocity steam encounters trapped condensate, the
resulting hydraulic impact can produce severe water hammer and damage
piping and equipment.
4. What component normally removes condensate from a steam main
automatically?
A. Check valve
B. Steam trap
C. Pressure gauge
D. Strainer
Answer: Steam trap
Rationale: Steam traps are designed to discharge condensate without
permitting continuous live-steam loss.
5. What is the function of a drip leg on a steam main?
A. Store fuel oil
B. Collect condensate
C. Increase burner air
D. Reduce boiler water level
Answer: Collect condensate
Rationale: Drip legs provide a low point where condensate can collect and be
removed through a trap or other appropriate drainage arrangement.
6. What is the primary function of a boiler safety valve?
,A. Control feedwater temperature
B. Prevent excessive pressure
C. Increase combustion efficiency
D. Regulate condensate return
Answer: Prevent excessive pressure
Rationale: A safety valve protects a steam boiler against dangerous
overpressure by opening at its set pressure. NYC Mechanical Code requires
steam boilers to be protected with safety valves meeting applicable standards.
7. Which organization publishes the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
commonly referenced for boiler construction?
A. ASME
B. OSHA
C. EPA
D. ASTM
Answer: ASME
Rationale: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers publishes the ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, which is extensively referenced for boiler and
pressure-vessel requirements.
8. What does a boiler low-water cutoff protect against?
A. Excessive condensate return
B. Firing the boiler with insufficient water
C. Excessive steam pressure only
D. Low fuel temperature
Answer: Firing the boiler with insufficient water
Rationale: A low-water condition can expose heating surfaces to excessive
temperatures and cause severe boiler damage or failure.
, 9. Under the NYC Mechanical Code, steam and hot-water boilers generally
require what type of low-water protection?
A. No low-water protection
B. Dual low-water cutoff controls, subject to applicable exceptions
C. One manual valve
D. A condensate pump only
Answer: Dual low-water cutoff controls, subject to applicable exceptions
Rationale: NYC Mechanical Code MC 1007 establishes dual low-water cutoff
protection for steam and hot-water boilers, with specified exceptions.
10.What is the purpose of a boiler blowdown?
A. Increase steam pressure
B. Remove accumulated impurities from boiler water
C. Increase fuel pressure
D. Add oxygen to the boiler
Answer: Remove accumulated impurities from boiler water
Rationale: Blowdown removes concentrated dissolved and suspended solids and
helps maintain acceptable boiler-water chemistry.
11.Which instrument indicates the pressure inside a steam boiler or steam
system?
A. Thermocouple
B. Pressure gauge
C. Flow switch
D. Hydrometer
Answer: Pressure gauge
Rationale: A pressure gauge provides a visual indication of system pressure and
is essential for safe boiler operation and troubleshooting.
