MINNESOTA SPECIAL ENGINEER
BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
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
An expansion tank or compression tank would be used in what? - ANSWERHot water
boiler
What is the purpose of the expansion tank? - ANSWERTo provide for expansion and
contraction of the water volume as its temperature varies.
On a hot water boiler, what is the purpose of the vent valve? - ANSWERTo make sure
there is water inside the boiler and to vent any trapped air.
If the safety valve or ASME safety relief valve leaks you would do what? -
ANSWERHave the valve repaired or replaced.
Tri cocks or gauge cocks are sued on a steam boiler to indicate? - ANSWERThe true
water level inside the boiler.
On a steam or hot water boiler, the safety valve or safety relief valve could be tested
by? - ANSWERWhen the boiler is running lifting the lever on the valve or raising the
pressure until they operate.
Before starting a steam or hot water boiler you should check for what? - ANSWERWater
in the boiler.
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.
BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
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
An expansion tank or compression tank would be used in what? - ANSWERHot water
boiler
What is the purpose of the expansion tank? - ANSWERTo provide for expansion and
contraction of the water volume as its temperature varies.
On a hot water boiler, what is the purpose of the vent valve? - ANSWERTo make sure
there is water inside the boiler and to vent any trapped air.
If the safety valve or ASME safety relief valve leaks you would do what? -
ANSWERHave the valve repaired or replaced.
Tri cocks or gauge cocks are sued on a steam boiler to indicate? - ANSWERThe true
water level inside the boiler.
On a steam or hot water boiler, the safety valve or safety relief valve could be tested
by? - ANSWERWhen the boiler is running lifting the lever on the valve or raising the
pressure until they operate.
Before starting a steam or hot water boiler you should check for what? - ANSWERWater
in the boiler.
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.
