Page 1 of 159
661-LA 661 Louisiana (New Orleans) Second Class Stationary Boilers
Practice Exam Questions ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
1. According to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section I, a "power boiler" is defined
as a boiler in which steam or other vapor is generated at a pressure exceeding:
• A) 0 psi
• B) 15 psi
• C) 30 psi
• D) 100 psi
• Answer: B
• Rationale: ASME BPVC Section I defines a power boiler as one where steam or vapor is
generated at pressures exceeding 15 psi for use external to itself .
2. The primary purpose of a safety valve on a steam boiler is to:
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• A) Control the operating pressure
• B) Relieve excess pressure to prevent over-pressurization and rupture
• C) Regulate the water level
• D) Vent gases during startup
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Safety valves are critical overpressure protection devices designed to open
automatically at a set pressure and discharge enough steam to prevent pressure from rising
more than a specified amount above the MAWP .
3. What is the minimum number of safety valves required on a boiler with more than 500 square feet of
heating surface?
• A) One
• B) Two
• C) Three
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• D) Four
• Answer: B
• Rationale: ASME Code typically requires at least two safety valves for boilers with over 500 sq ft
of heating surface to ensure adequate relieving capacity and redundancy .
4. The device used to automatically add feedwater to a boiler in response to changing water level is a:
• A) Pressure reducing valve
• B) Feedwater regulator
• C) Blowdown valve
• D) Safety valve
• Answer: B
• Rationale: A feedwater regulator (or feedwater controller) automatically controls the feed pump
or feed valve to maintain the boiler water level within normal limits .
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5. The process of removing sediment and concentrated solids from the bottom of a boiler is called:
• A) Surface blowdown
• B) Bottom blowdown
• C) Skimming
• D) Scavenging
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Bottom blowdown involves opening valves on the bottom of the boiler or water drum
to remove sludge, sediment, and precipitated solids that settle at the lowest points .
6. A "hydrostatic test" on a boiler is performed using:
• A) Steam at operating pressure
• B) Air at 1.5 times MAWP
• C) Water at 1.5 times MAWP
• D) Oil at design pressure
661-LA 661 Louisiana (New Orleans) Second Class Stationary Boilers
Practice Exam Questions ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
1. According to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section I, a "power boiler" is defined
as a boiler in which steam or other vapor is generated at a pressure exceeding:
• A) 0 psi
• B) 15 psi
• C) 30 psi
• D) 100 psi
• Answer: B
• Rationale: ASME BPVC Section I defines a power boiler as one where steam or vapor is
generated at pressures exceeding 15 psi for use external to itself .
2. The primary purpose of a safety valve on a steam boiler is to:
, Page 2 of 159
• A) Control the operating pressure
• B) Relieve excess pressure to prevent over-pressurization and rupture
• C) Regulate the water level
• D) Vent gases during startup
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Safety valves are critical overpressure protection devices designed to open
automatically at a set pressure and discharge enough steam to prevent pressure from rising
more than a specified amount above the MAWP .
3. What is the minimum number of safety valves required on a boiler with more than 500 square feet of
heating surface?
• A) One
• B) Two
• C) Three
, Page 3 of 159
• D) Four
• Answer: B
• Rationale: ASME Code typically requires at least two safety valves for boilers with over 500 sq ft
of heating surface to ensure adequate relieving capacity and redundancy .
4. The device used to automatically add feedwater to a boiler in response to changing water level is a:
• A) Pressure reducing valve
• B) Feedwater regulator
• C) Blowdown valve
• D) Safety valve
• Answer: B
• Rationale: A feedwater regulator (or feedwater controller) automatically controls the feed pump
or feed valve to maintain the boiler water level within normal limits .
, Page 4 of 159
5. The process of removing sediment and concentrated solids from the bottom of a boiler is called:
• A) Surface blowdown
• B) Bottom blowdown
• C) Skimming
• D) Scavenging
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Bottom blowdown involves opening valves on the bottom of the boiler or water drum
to remove sludge, sediment, and precipitated solids that settle at the lowest points .
6. A "hydrostatic test" on a boiler is performed using:
• A) Steam at operating pressure
• B) Air at 1.5 times MAWP
• C) Water at 1.5 times MAWP
• D) Oil at design pressure
