KENTUCKY BOILER CONTRACTOR EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1
How often shall hot water storage tanks, sterilizers, and autoclaves be inspected?
Correct Answer
every 4 years
Question 2
state special
Correct Answer
a boiler or pressure vessel that carries neither the asme boiler and pressure vessel
code symbol not nb registration but has been accepted by the state
Page 1 of 81
,Question 3
What is test pressure for locomotive boiler?
Correct Answer
1-1/4 MAWP
Question 1: According to Kentucky boiler regulations and the ASME Code,
what is the primary purpose of a safety relief valve installed on a steam boiler?
A. To regulate the fuel supply to the burner
B. To automatically relieve pressure when it exceeds the maximum allowable
working pressure
C. To control the water level in the boiler
D. To measure the temperature of the steam
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To automatically relieve pressure when it exceeds the
maximum allowable working pressure
Rationale: Safety relief valves are designed to open automatically at a
predetermined pressure to prevent the boiler from exceeding its maximum
allowable working pressure (MAWP), thereby protecting the pressure vessel from
rupture.
Question 2: Under Kentucky boiler contractor licensing requirements, which of
the following activities requires a licensed boiler contractor?
A. Changing a residential water heater thermostat
B. Installation, repair, or alteration of a power boiler or high-pressure steam boiler
C. Cleaning the exterior of a boiler
D. Replacing a boiler room light fixture
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Installation, repair, or alteration of a power boiler or
high-pressure steam boiler
Rationale: Kentucky law requires a licensed boiler contractor for work involving the
installation, repair, alteration, or maintenance of boilers that fall under state
jurisdictional requirements, particularly power boilers and high-pressure systems.
Question 3: What is the minimum frequency for testing the low-water fuel
cutoff on a steam boiler according to standard boiler operating practices
adopted in Kentucky?
A. Once per year
B. Daily or at the beginning of each shift
C. Once every five years
D. Only after a repair
Page 2 of 81
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Daily or at the beginning of each shift
Rationale: Daily testing of the low-water fuel cutoff by evaporating or draining
methods is a standard safety practice to ensure the device functions properly and
will shut off the fuel supply if the water level drops too low.
Question 4: According to ASME Section I and Kentucky boiler rules, what is the
maximum allowable working pressure for a boiler stamped with a MAWP of
150 psi?
A. 100 psi
B. 150 psi
C. 165 psi
D. 200 psi
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 150 psi
Rationale: The maximum allowable working pressure is the highest pressure at
which the boiler is permitted to operate, as determined by the manufacturer and
stamped on the boiler in accordance with ASME Code requirements.
Question 5: What is the primary function of a low-water fuel cutoff on a steam
boiler?
A. To increase the firing rate when water level is low
B. To shut off the fuel supply to the burner when the water level falls below a safe
point
C. To open the safety valve
D. To start the feedwater pump
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To shut off the fuel supply to the burner when the water
level falls below a safe point
Rationale: The low-water fuel cutoff is a critical safety device that interrupts the fuel
supply to prevent the boiler from firing when insufficient water is present, which
could lead to overheating and catastrophic failure.
Question 6: Under Kentucky regulations, who is authorized to perform welded
repairs on a jurisdictional boiler?
A. Any welder with a basic certification
B. A welder qualified in accordance with ASME Section IX and working under a
licensed boiler contractor
C. The boiler operator only
D. Any mechanical contractor
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A welder qualified in accordance with ASME Section IX
and working under a licensed boiler contractor
Page 3 of 81
, Rationale: Welded repairs on boilers under Kentucky jurisdiction must be performed
by welders qualified to ASME Section IX procedures and under the supervision or
employment of a properly licensed boiler contractor.
Question 7: What is the recommended minimum blowdown frequency for a
steam boiler operating under normal conditions in Kentucky?
A. Once per month
B. At least once per day
C. Once per week
D. Only when the water is cloudy
CORRECT ANSWER: B. At least once per day
Rationale: Regular bottom blowdown helps remove settled solids and sediment
from the mud drum or bottom of the boiler, preventing scale buildup and
maintaining water quality.
Question 8: According to the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) as
adopted in Kentucky, what document must be maintained for a boiler after
installation or major repair?
A. A verbal report only
B. A data report or repair form signed by the authorized inspector
C. A sales receipt
D. An operator’s personal log only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A data report or repair form signed by the authorized
inspector
Rationale: The NBIC requires proper documentation, including Manufacturer’s Data
Reports or Repair/Alteration forms, to be completed and retained as part of the
permanent boiler record.
Question 9: What is the primary purpose of a water column on a steam boiler?
A. To increase the steam pressure
B. To provide a stable location for mounting gage glasses and high- and low-water
alarms
C. To store extra feedwater
D. To cool the steam before it leaves the boiler
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To provide a stable location for mounting gage glasses
and high- and low-water alarms
Rationale: The water column dampens water level fluctuations and provides a
convenient, accessible mounting point for water level indicating and protective
devices.
Page 4 of 81
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1
How often shall hot water storage tanks, sterilizers, and autoclaves be inspected?
Correct Answer
every 4 years
Question 2
state special
Correct Answer
a boiler or pressure vessel that carries neither the asme boiler and pressure vessel
code symbol not nb registration but has been accepted by the state
Page 1 of 81
,Question 3
What is test pressure for locomotive boiler?
Correct Answer
1-1/4 MAWP
Question 1: According to Kentucky boiler regulations and the ASME Code,
what is the primary purpose of a safety relief valve installed on a steam boiler?
A. To regulate the fuel supply to the burner
B. To automatically relieve pressure when it exceeds the maximum allowable
working pressure
C. To control the water level in the boiler
D. To measure the temperature of the steam
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To automatically relieve pressure when it exceeds the
maximum allowable working pressure
Rationale: Safety relief valves are designed to open automatically at a
predetermined pressure to prevent the boiler from exceeding its maximum
allowable working pressure (MAWP), thereby protecting the pressure vessel from
rupture.
Question 2: Under Kentucky boiler contractor licensing requirements, which of
the following activities requires a licensed boiler contractor?
A. Changing a residential water heater thermostat
B. Installation, repair, or alteration of a power boiler or high-pressure steam boiler
C. Cleaning the exterior of a boiler
D. Replacing a boiler room light fixture
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Installation, repair, or alteration of a power boiler or
high-pressure steam boiler
Rationale: Kentucky law requires a licensed boiler contractor for work involving the
installation, repair, alteration, or maintenance of boilers that fall under state
jurisdictional requirements, particularly power boilers and high-pressure systems.
Question 3: What is the minimum frequency for testing the low-water fuel
cutoff on a steam boiler according to standard boiler operating practices
adopted in Kentucky?
A. Once per year
B. Daily or at the beginning of each shift
C. Once every five years
D. Only after a repair
Page 2 of 81
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Daily or at the beginning of each shift
Rationale: Daily testing of the low-water fuel cutoff by evaporating or draining
methods is a standard safety practice to ensure the device functions properly and
will shut off the fuel supply if the water level drops too low.
Question 4: According to ASME Section I and Kentucky boiler rules, what is the
maximum allowable working pressure for a boiler stamped with a MAWP of
150 psi?
A. 100 psi
B. 150 psi
C. 165 psi
D. 200 psi
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 150 psi
Rationale: The maximum allowable working pressure is the highest pressure at
which the boiler is permitted to operate, as determined by the manufacturer and
stamped on the boiler in accordance with ASME Code requirements.
Question 5: What is the primary function of a low-water fuel cutoff on a steam
boiler?
A. To increase the firing rate when water level is low
B. To shut off the fuel supply to the burner when the water level falls below a safe
point
C. To open the safety valve
D. To start the feedwater pump
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To shut off the fuel supply to the burner when the water
level falls below a safe point
Rationale: The low-water fuel cutoff is a critical safety device that interrupts the fuel
supply to prevent the boiler from firing when insufficient water is present, which
could lead to overheating and catastrophic failure.
Question 6: Under Kentucky regulations, who is authorized to perform welded
repairs on a jurisdictional boiler?
A. Any welder with a basic certification
B. A welder qualified in accordance with ASME Section IX and working under a
licensed boiler contractor
C. The boiler operator only
D. Any mechanical contractor
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A welder qualified in accordance with ASME Section IX
and working under a licensed boiler contractor
Page 3 of 81
, Rationale: Welded repairs on boilers under Kentucky jurisdiction must be performed
by welders qualified to ASME Section IX procedures and under the supervision or
employment of a properly licensed boiler contractor.
Question 7: What is the recommended minimum blowdown frequency for a
steam boiler operating under normal conditions in Kentucky?
A. Once per month
B. At least once per day
C. Once per week
D. Only when the water is cloudy
CORRECT ANSWER: B. At least once per day
Rationale: Regular bottom blowdown helps remove settled solids and sediment
from the mud drum or bottom of the boiler, preventing scale buildup and
maintaining water quality.
Question 8: According to the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) as
adopted in Kentucky, what document must be maintained for a boiler after
installation or major repair?
A. A verbal report only
B. A data report or repair form signed by the authorized inspector
C. A sales receipt
D. An operator’s personal log only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A data report or repair form signed by the authorized
inspector
Rationale: The NBIC requires proper documentation, including Manufacturer’s Data
Reports or Repair/Alteration forms, to be completed and retained as part of the
permanent boiler record.
Question 9: What is the primary purpose of a water column on a steam boiler?
A. To increase the steam pressure
B. To provide a stable location for mounting gage glasses and high- and low-water
alarms
C. To store extra feedwater
D. To cool the steam before it leaves the boiler
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To provide a stable location for mounting gage glasses
and high- and low-water alarms
Rationale: The water column dampens water level fluctuations and provides a
convenient, accessible mounting point for water level indicating and protective
devices.
Page 4 of 81
