MD STATIONARY ENGINEER STUDY GUIDE 2025/2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔What is the MINIMUM blowback on a safety valve that pops at 250 psi. - ✔✔5 psi
✔✔A data plate on a safety valve on a low pressure boiler is marked "6900 Ib".
This refers to: - ✔✔lb/hr capacity of the safety valve
✔✔When an accumulation test is performed, the boiler is fired at: - ✔✔maximum firing
rate with main steam stop valve closed
✔✔You have a safety valve set on a 50 psi boiler system. What is the maximum
pressure that may be developed during safety valve blowdown? - ✔✔53 psi
✔✔Oils and solids accumulating on the water surface in the boiler can lead to what
condition? - ✔✔Foaming
✔✔If the water in a boiler is foaming, the water level indication in the gauge glass will
be - ✔✔erratic
✔✔If you have a priming condition, the sight glass will read - ✔✔high
✔✔A boiler has carried a large slug of water over into the steam. This condition is
called - ✔✔priming
✔✔How do steam separators work? - ✔✔they cause a sudden change in direction that
throws water out
✔✔On a pressure gauge, what is the minimum size piping that can be used? - ✔✔1/4" if
copper or brass pipe 1/2" if steel
✔✔Which statement is true about steel pipe when used on a boiler? - ✔✔May not be
less than 1/2"
✔✔When may copper tubing NOT be used for steam service? - ✔✔when the temp
exceeds 406 degrees/250psi
✔✔Cast iron or ductile iron pipe is used for - ✔✔underground water supply and
drainage
✔✔For every 100 feet of steam header piping, you lose how much pressure? - ✔✔2-3
psi
, ✔✔What is the allowable pressure drop in a 100 psi steam line? - ✔✔2-3 psi
✔✔What common type of expansion joint is used universally throughout a steam
distribution system? - ✔✔U-bend
✔✔A difference between a check valve and a non-return valve is: - ✔✔A non return
valve acts as a cushioning valve that helps prevent chattering
✔✔In a low pressure heating system. which type of steam trap is most commonly
used? - ✔✔A thermostatic steam trap
✔✔Which type of steam trap contains a piston and a valve? - ✔✔an impulse trap
✔✔How much of an efficiency gain will be produced by each 10 degree F. temperature
rise in a superheater? - ✔✔1%
✔✔Which statement is true about operation of a boiler with a superheater? - ✔✔for
maximum economy, a constant superheat temperature is desirable
✔✔A superheater safety valve relieves how much of the total steam produced by a
boiler? - ✔✔20%
✔✔How much steam flow. at a minimum, should be maintained through the
superheater? - ✔✔20% of the boiler capacity
✔✔What is the purpose of a water screen? - ✔✔to prevent slagging
✔✔What is required if the boiler pressure is greater than or equal to 400 psig.? - ✔✔2
direct mechanical gauge glasses or one gauge glass and two remote indicators
✔✔Which statement about valves connected to a water column is FALSE? - ✔✔The
valves may be removed while the boiler is in operation
✔✔f you close the bottom blowdown valve on the water column and water fills up
quickly to the center of the gauge glass, this is an indication that: - ✔✔The water
column piping is free scale and sludge
✔✔Which of the following might you find attached to a boiler's water column? -
✔✔feedwater regulating device
✔✔Which component may be connected to the water column piping? - ✔✔feedwater
regulator
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔What is the MINIMUM blowback on a safety valve that pops at 250 psi. - ✔✔5 psi
✔✔A data plate on a safety valve on a low pressure boiler is marked "6900 Ib".
This refers to: - ✔✔lb/hr capacity of the safety valve
✔✔When an accumulation test is performed, the boiler is fired at: - ✔✔maximum firing
rate with main steam stop valve closed
✔✔You have a safety valve set on a 50 psi boiler system. What is the maximum
pressure that may be developed during safety valve blowdown? - ✔✔53 psi
✔✔Oils and solids accumulating on the water surface in the boiler can lead to what
condition? - ✔✔Foaming
✔✔If the water in a boiler is foaming, the water level indication in the gauge glass will
be - ✔✔erratic
✔✔If you have a priming condition, the sight glass will read - ✔✔high
✔✔A boiler has carried a large slug of water over into the steam. This condition is
called - ✔✔priming
✔✔How do steam separators work? - ✔✔they cause a sudden change in direction that
throws water out
✔✔On a pressure gauge, what is the minimum size piping that can be used? - ✔✔1/4" if
copper or brass pipe 1/2" if steel
✔✔Which statement is true about steel pipe when used on a boiler? - ✔✔May not be
less than 1/2"
✔✔When may copper tubing NOT be used for steam service? - ✔✔when the temp
exceeds 406 degrees/250psi
✔✔Cast iron or ductile iron pipe is used for - ✔✔underground water supply and
drainage
✔✔For every 100 feet of steam header piping, you lose how much pressure? - ✔✔2-3
psi
, ✔✔What is the allowable pressure drop in a 100 psi steam line? - ✔✔2-3 psi
✔✔What common type of expansion joint is used universally throughout a steam
distribution system? - ✔✔U-bend
✔✔A difference between a check valve and a non-return valve is: - ✔✔A non return
valve acts as a cushioning valve that helps prevent chattering
✔✔In a low pressure heating system. which type of steam trap is most commonly
used? - ✔✔A thermostatic steam trap
✔✔Which type of steam trap contains a piston and a valve? - ✔✔an impulse trap
✔✔How much of an efficiency gain will be produced by each 10 degree F. temperature
rise in a superheater? - ✔✔1%
✔✔Which statement is true about operation of a boiler with a superheater? - ✔✔for
maximum economy, a constant superheat temperature is desirable
✔✔A superheater safety valve relieves how much of the total steam produced by a
boiler? - ✔✔20%
✔✔How much steam flow. at a minimum, should be maintained through the
superheater? - ✔✔20% of the boiler capacity
✔✔What is the purpose of a water screen? - ✔✔to prevent slagging
✔✔What is required if the boiler pressure is greater than or equal to 400 psig.? - ✔✔2
direct mechanical gauge glasses or one gauge glass and two remote indicators
✔✔Which statement about valves connected to a water column is FALSE? - ✔✔The
valves may be removed while the boiler is in operation
✔✔f you close the bottom blowdown valve on the water column and water fills up
quickly to the center of the gauge glass, this is an indication that: - ✔✔The water
column piping is free scale and sludge
✔✔Which of the following might you find attached to a boiler's water column? -
✔✔feedwater regulating device
✔✔Which component may be connected to the water column piping? - ✔✔feedwater
regulator
