NYC DCAS Plant Maintainer (Hospitals)/Tender
Exam 200 Multiple Choice Practice Questions with
Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales for
2026 Certification Success Graded A+
SECTION 1: BOILER OPERATIONS AND STEAM SYSTEMS (Questions 1–50)
Question 1
A high-pressure boiler is operating at steady load, but the water level begins falling faster than
normal. Which condition should be checked first?
A) Fuel-oil temperature only
B) Boiler feedwater supply and feed pump operation
C) Stack temperature only
D) Lubricant viscosity in the burner motor
ANS: B
Rationale: Loss of boiler water can expose heating surfaces and create a serious overheating
hazard. Feedwater supply, pump operation, valves, and related controls should be checked
promptly to prevent dangerous low-water conditions .
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of a boiler safety valve?
A) To regulate combustion air
B) To maintain constant water level
C) To prevent pressure from exceeding the allowable limit
D) To control feedwater temperature
ANS: C
Rationale: The safety valve automatically releases steam when pressure reaches its set point,
protecting the boiler against excessive pressure that could cause catastrophic failure .
Question 3
,In a properly operating steam boiler, the function of the water gauge glass is to:
A) Measure steam temperature
B) Indicate the approximate water level in the boiler
C) Measure burner pressure
D) Control the feedwater pump
ANS: B
Rationale: The gauge glass provides a direct visual indication of boiler water level, which is
essential for safe operation. Operators must regularly verify that the gauge glass is functioning
correctly .
Question 4
A low-water cutoff is primarily intended to:
A) Increase burner capacity
B) Prevent firing when the boiler water level becomes dangerously low
C) Increase steam pressure
D) Control condensate temperature
ANS: B
Rationale: The low-water cutoff protects the boiler from firing under unsafe low-water
conditions. Without this safety device, heating surfaces could overheat and rupture .
Question 5
Before starting a burner after an unsuccessful ignition attempt, the furnace should first be:
A) Pressurized with fuel
B) Filled with steam
C) Properly purged
D) Closed completely to combustion air
ANS: C
Rationale: Purging removes accumulated combustible gases or vapors from the furnace before
ignition, reducing the risk of an explosive ignition .
,Question 6
What is the principal purpose of a burner flame safeguard system?
A) To increase boiler water temperature
B) To detect flame failure and place the burner in a safe condition
C) To lubricate burner bearings
D) To regulate steam pressure mechanically
ANS: B
Rationale: Flame safeguards monitor the presence of an acceptable flame and initiate fuel
shutoff when flame is lost or unsafe ignition conditions exist .
Question 7
In a forced-draft combustion system, the fan primarily supplies:
A) Feedwater
B) Lubricating oil
C) Combustion air
D) Condensate
ANS: C
Rationale: The forced-draft fan supplies air to support combustion. This fan pushes air into the
furnace under pressure, ensuring adequate oxygen for complete combustion .
Question 8
A balanced-draft boiler generally operates with the furnace pressure:
A) Far above atmospheric pressure
B) Slightly below atmospheric pressure
C) Exactly equal to steam pressure
D) At maximum safety-valve pressure
ANS: B
, Rationale: Balanced draft uses forced-draft and induced-draft equipment so furnace pressure is
maintained slightly negative. This prevents hot gases from escaping into the boiler room .
Question 9
What is the primary function of an induced-draft fan?
A) Force feedwater into the boiler
B) Draw combustion gases through the boiler and toward the stack
C) Increase fuel pressure
D) Circulate lubricating oil
ANS: B
Rationale: The induced-draft fan assists in moving flue gases through the furnace and heat-
transfer surfaces toward the exhaust system .
Question 10
Excessive combustion air can result in:
A) Increased stack heat losses
B) Elimination of all heat losses
C) Elimination of the need for a burner
D) Increased boiler water level
ANS: A
Rationale: Excess air carries additional heated gases through the boiler and can increase stack
losses, reducing combustion efficiency .
Question 11
What is the primary purpose of a steam pressure gauge on a boiler?
A) To measure water hardness
B) To indicate boiler steam pressure
C) To measure fuel viscosity
D) To determine bearing clearance
Exam 200 Multiple Choice Practice Questions with
Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales for
2026 Certification Success Graded A+
SECTION 1: BOILER OPERATIONS AND STEAM SYSTEMS (Questions 1–50)
Question 1
A high-pressure boiler is operating at steady load, but the water level begins falling faster than
normal. Which condition should be checked first?
A) Fuel-oil temperature only
B) Boiler feedwater supply and feed pump operation
C) Stack temperature only
D) Lubricant viscosity in the burner motor
ANS: B
Rationale: Loss of boiler water can expose heating surfaces and create a serious overheating
hazard. Feedwater supply, pump operation, valves, and related controls should be checked
promptly to prevent dangerous low-water conditions .
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of a boiler safety valve?
A) To regulate combustion air
B) To maintain constant water level
C) To prevent pressure from exceeding the allowable limit
D) To control feedwater temperature
ANS: C
Rationale: The safety valve automatically releases steam when pressure reaches its set point,
protecting the boiler against excessive pressure that could cause catastrophic failure .
Question 3
,In a properly operating steam boiler, the function of the water gauge glass is to:
A) Measure steam temperature
B) Indicate the approximate water level in the boiler
C) Measure burner pressure
D) Control the feedwater pump
ANS: B
Rationale: The gauge glass provides a direct visual indication of boiler water level, which is
essential for safe operation. Operators must regularly verify that the gauge glass is functioning
correctly .
Question 4
A low-water cutoff is primarily intended to:
A) Increase burner capacity
B) Prevent firing when the boiler water level becomes dangerously low
C) Increase steam pressure
D) Control condensate temperature
ANS: B
Rationale: The low-water cutoff protects the boiler from firing under unsafe low-water
conditions. Without this safety device, heating surfaces could overheat and rupture .
Question 5
Before starting a burner after an unsuccessful ignition attempt, the furnace should first be:
A) Pressurized with fuel
B) Filled with steam
C) Properly purged
D) Closed completely to combustion air
ANS: C
Rationale: Purging removes accumulated combustible gases or vapors from the furnace before
ignition, reducing the risk of an explosive ignition .
,Question 6
What is the principal purpose of a burner flame safeguard system?
A) To increase boiler water temperature
B) To detect flame failure and place the burner in a safe condition
C) To lubricate burner bearings
D) To regulate steam pressure mechanically
ANS: B
Rationale: Flame safeguards monitor the presence of an acceptable flame and initiate fuel
shutoff when flame is lost or unsafe ignition conditions exist .
Question 7
In a forced-draft combustion system, the fan primarily supplies:
A) Feedwater
B) Lubricating oil
C) Combustion air
D) Condensate
ANS: C
Rationale: The forced-draft fan supplies air to support combustion. This fan pushes air into the
furnace under pressure, ensuring adequate oxygen for complete combustion .
Question 8
A balanced-draft boiler generally operates with the furnace pressure:
A) Far above atmospheric pressure
B) Slightly below atmospheric pressure
C) Exactly equal to steam pressure
D) At maximum safety-valve pressure
ANS: B
, Rationale: Balanced draft uses forced-draft and induced-draft equipment so furnace pressure is
maintained slightly negative. This prevents hot gases from escaping into the boiler room .
Question 9
What is the primary function of an induced-draft fan?
A) Force feedwater into the boiler
B) Draw combustion gases through the boiler and toward the stack
C) Increase fuel pressure
D) Circulate lubricating oil
ANS: B
Rationale: The induced-draft fan assists in moving flue gases through the furnace and heat-
transfer surfaces toward the exhaust system .
Question 10
Excessive combustion air can result in:
A) Increased stack heat losses
B) Elimination of all heat losses
C) Elimination of the need for a burner
D) Increased boiler water level
ANS: A
Rationale: Excess air carries additional heated gases through the boiler and can increase stack
losses, reducing combustion efficiency .
Question 11
What is the primary purpose of a steam pressure gauge on a boiler?
A) To measure water hardness
B) To indicate boiler steam pressure
C) To measure fuel viscosity
D) To determine bearing clearance
