LOUISIANA (NEW ORLEANS) SECOND CLASS STATIONARY BOILERS
661-LA EXAM STUDY GUIDE: BOILER OPERATION & MAINTENANCE 100%
CORRECT!!
TABLE OF CONTENT
Subtopic 1: Startup and Shutdown Procedures (Questions 7-12)
Subtopic 2: Routine Checks and Daily Operator Inspections (Questions 7-12)
Subtopic 3: Equipment Maintenance and Servicing (Questions 13-18
Subtopic 4: Operator Responsibilities and Safety Protocols (Questions 19-24)
Subtopic 5: Logs, Recordkeeping, and Statutory Inspections (Questions 25-30)
Subtopic 1: Startup and Shutdown Procedures
Question 1
An operator is preparing to light off a cold high-pressure steam boiler after major
refractory repairs. What is the proper sequence for warming up the boiler and venting
trapped air?
A. Fire the burner at maximum firing rate immediately and keep all high-point vent
valves tightly closed.
,B. Open the steam drum high-point vent valve, fill the boiler to the normal operating
level, start a slow, controlled warm-up firing cycle, and leave the vent open until steam
begins to escape and pressure reaches approximately 10 to 15 psi.
C. Keep the bottom blowdown valves wide open while firing to circulate water.
D. Pressurize the steam header with plant air before lighting the burner.
Correct Answer: B. Open the steam drum high-point vent valve, fill the boiler to the
normal operating level, start a slow, controlled warm-up firing cycle, and leave the vent
open until steam begins to escape and pressure reaches approximately 10 to 15 psi.
Rationale: Venting trapped air prevents false pressure readings, accelerates uniform
warm-up, and prevents air pockets from forming corrosive conditions inside the vessel
during startup.
Question 2
During a cold startup, an operator cracks open the main steam header stop valve to
warm the steam line (line warm-up procedure). The operator hears loud, violent
hammering and shaking in the piping. What immediate action must be taken?
A. Open the steam stop valve wide to push the water through the header quickly.
B. Immediately close the steam stop valve, open all line condensate trap drain valves,
allow the piping to cool and drain completely, and inspect for trapped condensate.
C. Increase the burner firing rate to boost steam velocity.
D. Strike the pipe insulation with a heavy steel hammer.
Correct Answer: B. Immediately close the steam stop valve, open all line condensate
trap drain valves, allow the piping to cool and drain completely, and inspect for trapped
condensate.
Rationale: Water hammer is caused by steam trapping and accelerating pockets of cool
condensate, which can fracture valves and fittings. Stopping the steam flow and
draining the lines completely is mandatory to prevent catastrophic pipe failure.
Question 3
, An operator is performing a scheduled normal shutdown of a packaged steam boiler.
What is the correct procedure for securing the unit after turning off the burner fuel supply?
A. Immediately drain all water from the hot boiler shell while it is still under 50 psi
pressure.
B. Allow the boiler to cool down naturally, close the main steam stop valve once pressure
drops, secure feedwater systems, and blow down or drain only when safe temperatures
and pressures are reached.
C. Leave the gas supply manual valves wide open overnight.
D. Open the manhole covers immediately while the drum is at 100 psi.
Correct Answer: B. Allow the boiler to cool down naturally, close the main steam stop
valve once pressure drops, secure feedwater systems, and blow down or drain only when
safe temperatures and pressures are reached.
Rationale: Rapid cooling or draining a hot boiler causes severe thermal stress, warped
tubes, and cracked refractory. Safe shutdowns require gradual cooling and
depressurization.
Question 4
When cutting a warm boiler into an already pressurized common steam header, what
exact sequence must the operator follow to prevent water hammer and pressure shock?
A. Open the boiler main steam stop valve instantly before checking pressures.
B. Warm up the header bypass line (if equipped), bring the incoming boiler pressure
slightly below the header pressure, drain all condensate from the connecting piping, slowly
crack open the non-return or main stop valve, equalize pressures fully, and then open the
valve completely.
C. Keep the incoming boiler at 0 psi and open the header valve abruptly.
D. Fire the boiler to 50 psi above the header pressure prior to opening.
Correct Answer: B. Warm up the header bypass line (if equipped), bring the incoming
boiler pressure slightly below the header pressure, drain all condensate from the
connecting piping, slowly crack open the non-return or main stop valve, equalize
pressures fully, and then open the valve completely.
661-LA EXAM STUDY GUIDE: BOILER OPERATION & MAINTENANCE 100%
CORRECT!!
TABLE OF CONTENT
Subtopic 1: Startup and Shutdown Procedures (Questions 7-12)
Subtopic 2: Routine Checks and Daily Operator Inspections (Questions 7-12)
Subtopic 3: Equipment Maintenance and Servicing (Questions 13-18
Subtopic 4: Operator Responsibilities and Safety Protocols (Questions 19-24)
Subtopic 5: Logs, Recordkeeping, and Statutory Inspections (Questions 25-30)
Subtopic 1: Startup and Shutdown Procedures
Question 1
An operator is preparing to light off a cold high-pressure steam boiler after major
refractory repairs. What is the proper sequence for warming up the boiler and venting
trapped air?
A. Fire the burner at maximum firing rate immediately and keep all high-point vent
valves tightly closed.
,B. Open the steam drum high-point vent valve, fill the boiler to the normal operating
level, start a slow, controlled warm-up firing cycle, and leave the vent open until steam
begins to escape and pressure reaches approximately 10 to 15 psi.
C. Keep the bottom blowdown valves wide open while firing to circulate water.
D. Pressurize the steam header with plant air before lighting the burner.
Correct Answer: B. Open the steam drum high-point vent valve, fill the boiler to the
normal operating level, start a slow, controlled warm-up firing cycle, and leave the vent
open until steam begins to escape and pressure reaches approximately 10 to 15 psi.
Rationale: Venting trapped air prevents false pressure readings, accelerates uniform
warm-up, and prevents air pockets from forming corrosive conditions inside the vessel
during startup.
Question 2
During a cold startup, an operator cracks open the main steam header stop valve to
warm the steam line (line warm-up procedure). The operator hears loud, violent
hammering and shaking in the piping. What immediate action must be taken?
A. Open the steam stop valve wide to push the water through the header quickly.
B. Immediately close the steam stop valve, open all line condensate trap drain valves,
allow the piping to cool and drain completely, and inspect for trapped condensate.
C. Increase the burner firing rate to boost steam velocity.
D. Strike the pipe insulation with a heavy steel hammer.
Correct Answer: B. Immediately close the steam stop valve, open all line condensate
trap drain valves, allow the piping to cool and drain completely, and inspect for trapped
condensate.
Rationale: Water hammer is caused by steam trapping and accelerating pockets of cool
condensate, which can fracture valves and fittings. Stopping the steam flow and
draining the lines completely is mandatory to prevent catastrophic pipe failure.
Question 3
, An operator is performing a scheduled normal shutdown of a packaged steam boiler.
What is the correct procedure for securing the unit after turning off the burner fuel supply?
A. Immediately drain all water from the hot boiler shell while it is still under 50 psi
pressure.
B. Allow the boiler to cool down naturally, close the main steam stop valve once pressure
drops, secure feedwater systems, and blow down or drain only when safe temperatures
and pressures are reached.
C. Leave the gas supply manual valves wide open overnight.
D. Open the manhole covers immediately while the drum is at 100 psi.
Correct Answer: B. Allow the boiler to cool down naturally, close the main steam stop
valve once pressure drops, secure feedwater systems, and blow down or drain only when
safe temperatures and pressures are reached.
Rationale: Rapid cooling or draining a hot boiler causes severe thermal stress, warped
tubes, and cracked refractory. Safe shutdowns require gradual cooling and
depressurization.
Question 4
When cutting a warm boiler into an already pressurized common steam header, what
exact sequence must the operator follow to prevent water hammer and pressure shock?
A. Open the boiler main steam stop valve instantly before checking pressures.
B. Warm up the header bypass line (if equipped), bring the incoming boiler pressure
slightly below the header pressure, drain all condensate from the connecting piping, slowly
crack open the non-return or main stop valve, equalize pressures fully, and then open the
valve completely.
C. Keep the incoming boiler at 0 psi and open the header valve abruptly.
D. Fire the boiler to 50 psi above the header pressure prior to opening.
Correct Answer: B. Warm up the header bypass line (if equipped), bring the incoming
boiler pressure slightly below the header pressure, drain all condensate from the
connecting piping, slowly crack open the non-return or main stop valve, equalize
pressures fully, and then open the valve completely.
