SPECIAL BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE EXAM
FINAL PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ What is meant by the term "Low Pressure Boiler"? Answer:
Boilers 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)? Answer: High 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? Answer: In 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? Answer: Shut 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? Answer: Safety valve and/or an
ASME approved safety relief valve.
◉ A Tri indicator could be found on a: Answer: Hot water boiler
◉ A tri indicator would inform the boiler operator of what? Answer:
The 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? Answer: The 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? Answer: Steam first then hot water.
◉ Some of the things you could find on a steam boiler (or hot water
boiler) are what? Answer: Low water cut off, safety valve or safety
relief valve, pressure gauge.
◉ What devices would only be found on a steam boiler? Answer:
Steam pressure gauge, tricocks, Pressuretrols
,◉ An expansion tank or compression tank would be used in what?
Answer: Hot water boiler
◉ What is the purpose of the expansion tank? Answer: To 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?
Answer: To 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? Answer: Have the valve repaired or replaced.
◉ Tri cocks or gauge cocks are sued on a steam boiler to indicate?
Answer: The true water level inside the boiler.
◉ On a steam or hot water boiler, the safety valve or safety relief
valve could be tested by? Answer: When 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? Answer: Water in the boiler.
, ◉ True or False: Bottom blow down valves are used for both steam
and hot water. Answer: True
◉ Safety valves or safety relief valves should be manually tested at
least...? Answer: Monthly
◉ The low water cut out is one of the most important
electrical/mechanical devices on your boiler. How often should you
test it? Answer: Daily
◉ What device must be located between a hot water boiler and the
expansion tank? Answer: A 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? Answer: The expansion tank is water
logged, or the isolating valve for the expansion tank is closed.
◉ An Aquastat is used on a...? Answer: Hot water boiler
◉ To reduce thermal shock on hot water boilers, what devices are
used? Answer: Low limit or low fire hold control, three way valve,
run around pump.
FINAL PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ What is meant by the term "Low Pressure Boiler"? Answer:
Boilers 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)? Answer: High 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? Answer: In 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? Answer: Shut 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? Answer: Safety valve and/or an
ASME approved safety relief valve.
◉ A Tri indicator could be found on a: Answer: Hot water boiler
◉ A tri indicator would inform the boiler operator of what? Answer:
The 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? Answer: The 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? Answer: Steam first then hot water.
◉ Some of the things you could find on a steam boiler (or hot water
boiler) are what? Answer: Low water cut off, safety valve or safety
relief valve, pressure gauge.
◉ What devices would only be found on a steam boiler? Answer:
Steam pressure gauge, tricocks, Pressuretrols
,◉ An expansion tank or compression tank would be used in what?
Answer: Hot water boiler
◉ What is the purpose of the expansion tank? Answer: To 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?
Answer: To 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? Answer: Have the valve repaired or replaced.
◉ Tri cocks or gauge cocks are sued on a steam boiler to indicate?
Answer: The true water level inside the boiler.
◉ On a steam or hot water boiler, the safety valve or safety relief
valve could be tested by? Answer: When 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? Answer: Water in the boiler.
, ◉ True or False: Bottom blow down valves are used for both steam
and hot water. Answer: True
◉ Safety valves or safety relief valves should be manually tested at
least...? Answer: Monthly
◉ The low water cut out is one of the most important
electrical/mechanical devices on your boiler. How often should you
test it? Answer: Daily
◉ What device must be located between a hot water boiler and the
expansion tank? Answer: A 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? Answer: The expansion tank is water
logged, or the isolating valve for the expansion tank is closed.
◉ An Aquastat is used on a...? Answer: Hot water boiler
◉ To reduce thermal shock on hot water boilers, what devices are
used? Answer: Low limit or low fire hold control, three way valve,
run around pump.
