Kentucky Boiler Contractor Exam
Questions & Answers with Rationales| Guaranteed Pass
About this study guide: These questions were developed to help candidates
review the core knowledge domains commonly tested on boiler contractor
licensing exams, including the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, the National
Board Inspection Code (NBIC), Kentucky boiler statutes and regulatory practice,
boiler components, safety devices, water treatment, welding/repair, inspection,
combustion, and general safety.
,1. Which ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section governs the
construction of power boilers?
A. Section I
B. Section IV
C. Section VIII
D. Section IX
Answer: A — Section I
Rationale: ASME Section I, Rules for Construction of Power Boilers, covers the
design, fabrication, and inspection requirements for power boilers, including
high-pressure steam boilers used in utility and industrial service.
2. Which ASME Code Section applies to heating boilers operating at or below 15
psi steam or 160 psi/250°F hot water?
A. Section I
B. Section IV
C. Section VI
D. Section VII
Answer: B — Section IV
Rationale: Section IV covers low-pressure heating boilers, which are limited to
15 psig for steam and 160 psig/250°F for hot water service.
3. Which ASME Code Section provides rules for welding and brazing
qualifications?
A. Section II
B. Section V
C. Section IX
D. Section XII
Answer: C — Section IX
Rationale: Section IX, Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications, establishes
the requirements for qualifying welding procedures and welder performance
used in boiler and pressure vessel fabrication.
4. The National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) primarily governs which activities?
A. New boiler design only
B. Inspection, repair, and alteration of boilers and pressure vessels in service
, C. Fuel gas piping design
D. Elevator safety codes
Answer: B — Inspection, repair, and alteration of boilers and pressure vessels
in service
Rationale: The NBIC (ANSI/NB-23) provides standardized rules for the
installation, inspection, repair, and alteration of boilers and pressure vessels
after they have been placed in service.
5. What organization publishes and maintains the National Board Inspection
Code?
A. ASME
B. National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
C. OSHA
D. American Welding Society
Answer: B — National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
Rationale: The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
publishes the NBIC and coordinates enforcement of uniform boiler and pressure
vessel laws among jurisdictions.
6. An ASME 'S' stamp authorizes a manufacturer to build which type of item?
A. Power boilers
B. Heating boilers
C. Pressure relief valves
D. Fired storage water heaters only
Answer: A — Power boilers
Rationale: The 'S' stamp certifies that a manufacturer's quality control system
meets ASME Section I requirements for fabricating power boilers.
7. Which stamp is applied to a boiler repaired or altered under National Board
rules?
A. U stamp
B. R stamp
C. S stamp
D. V stamp
Answer: B — R stamp
, Rationale: The 'R' stamp is issued to organizations authorized under the NBIC
to perform repairs and alterations to boilers and pressure vessels.
8. What does the ASME 'V' stamp designate?
A. Vacuum vessel rating
B. Authorized safety valve/relief valve manufacturer for Section I
C. Vertical boiler orientation
D. Vessel volume certification
Answer: B — Authorized safety valve/relief valve manufacturer for Section I
Rationale: The 'V' stamp certifies that a manufacturer is authorized to build
safety valves meeting ASME Section I capacity and construction requirements
for power boilers.
9. An Authorized Inspector performing shop inspections during construction is
typically commissioned by which entity?
A. The equipment manufacturer
B. The National Board and/or the jurisdiction
C. The building owner
D. The local fire marshal
Answer: B — The National Board and/or the jurisdiction
Rationale: Authorized Inspectors hold a National Board commission and are
typically employed by a jurisdiction or an authorized inspection agency,
providing independent third-party verification of code compliance.
10. Which document must accompany a new boiler at the time of installation to
certify code compliance?
A. Manufacturer's Data Report (e.g., Form P-2 or S-1)
B. Material Safety Data Sheet
C. Certificate of Occupancy
D. Warranty card
Answer: A — Manufacturer's Data Report (e.g., Form P-2 or S-1)
Rationale: The Manufacturer's Data Report, completed and signed by the
manufacturer and Authorized Inspector, documents design, materials, and
testing, and is required to register and install the boiler.
Questions & Answers with Rationales| Guaranteed Pass
About this study guide: These questions were developed to help candidates
review the core knowledge domains commonly tested on boiler contractor
licensing exams, including the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, the National
Board Inspection Code (NBIC), Kentucky boiler statutes and regulatory practice,
boiler components, safety devices, water treatment, welding/repair, inspection,
combustion, and general safety.
,1. Which ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section governs the
construction of power boilers?
A. Section I
B. Section IV
C. Section VIII
D. Section IX
Answer: A — Section I
Rationale: ASME Section I, Rules for Construction of Power Boilers, covers the
design, fabrication, and inspection requirements for power boilers, including
high-pressure steam boilers used in utility and industrial service.
2. Which ASME Code Section applies to heating boilers operating at or below 15
psi steam or 160 psi/250°F hot water?
A. Section I
B. Section IV
C. Section VI
D. Section VII
Answer: B — Section IV
Rationale: Section IV covers low-pressure heating boilers, which are limited to
15 psig for steam and 160 psig/250°F for hot water service.
3. Which ASME Code Section provides rules for welding and brazing
qualifications?
A. Section II
B. Section V
C. Section IX
D. Section XII
Answer: C — Section IX
Rationale: Section IX, Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications, establishes
the requirements for qualifying welding procedures and welder performance
used in boiler and pressure vessel fabrication.
4. The National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) primarily governs which activities?
A. New boiler design only
B. Inspection, repair, and alteration of boilers and pressure vessels in service
, C. Fuel gas piping design
D. Elevator safety codes
Answer: B — Inspection, repair, and alteration of boilers and pressure vessels
in service
Rationale: The NBIC (ANSI/NB-23) provides standardized rules for the
installation, inspection, repair, and alteration of boilers and pressure vessels
after they have been placed in service.
5. What organization publishes and maintains the National Board Inspection
Code?
A. ASME
B. National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
C. OSHA
D. American Welding Society
Answer: B — National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
Rationale: The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
publishes the NBIC and coordinates enforcement of uniform boiler and pressure
vessel laws among jurisdictions.
6. An ASME 'S' stamp authorizes a manufacturer to build which type of item?
A. Power boilers
B. Heating boilers
C. Pressure relief valves
D. Fired storage water heaters only
Answer: A — Power boilers
Rationale: The 'S' stamp certifies that a manufacturer's quality control system
meets ASME Section I requirements for fabricating power boilers.
7. Which stamp is applied to a boiler repaired or altered under National Board
rules?
A. U stamp
B. R stamp
C. S stamp
D. V stamp
Answer: B — R stamp
, Rationale: The 'R' stamp is issued to organizations authorized under the NBIC
to perform repairs and alterations to boilers and pressure vessels.
8. What does the ASME 'V' stamp designate?
A. Vacuum vessel rating
B. Authorized safety valve/relief valve manufacturer for Section I
C. Vertical boiler orientation
D. Vessel volume certification
Answer: B — Authorized safety valve/relief valve manufacturer for Section I
Rationale: The 'V' stamp certifies that a manufacturer is authorized to build
safety valves meeting ASME Section I capacity and construction requirements
for power boilers.
9. An Authorized Inspector performing shop inspections during construction is
typically commissioned by which entity?
A. The equipment manufacturer
B. The National Board and/or the jurisdiction
C. The building owner
D. The local fire marshal
Answer: B — The National Board and/or the jurisdiction
Rationale: Authorized Inspectors hold a National Board commission and are
typically employed by a jurisdiction or an authorized inspection agency,
providing independent third-party verification of code compliance.
10. Which document must accompany a new boiler at the time of installation to
certify code compliance?
A. Manufacturer's Data Report (e.g., Form P-2 or S-1)
B. Material Safety Data Sheet
C. Certificate of Occupancy
D. Warranty card
Answer: A — Manufacturer's Data Report (e.g., Form P-2 or S-1)
Rationale: The Manufacturer's Data Report, completed and signed by the
manufacturer and Authorized Inspector, documents design, materials, and
testing, and is required to register and install the boiler.
