MASSACHUSETTS OIL BURNER LICENSE EXAM NEW UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
224 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the minimum clearance required between an oil burner and
combustible materials? A: 18 inches minimum clearance is required from
combustible materials.
2. Q: What agency regulates oil burner installations in Massachusetts? A:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, Board of State Examiners of
Plumbers and Gas Fitters.
3. Q: What is the maximum working pressure for a residential oil burner
system? A: 15 PSI maximum working pressure for residential systems.
4. Q: When must a permit be obtained for oil burner work? A: A permit is
required for all new installations, replacements, and major repairs of oil burning
equipment.
5. Q: What is the required fire rating for an oil storage room? A: Oil
storage rooms must have a minimum 2-hour fire rating.
6. Q: What is the maximum capacity for an indoor oil storage tank without
special permits? A: 275 gallons maximum capacity for indoor residential
tanks.
7. Q: What type of ventilation is required for oil burner equipment rooms?
A: Natural or mechanical ventilation providing adequate combustion air and
equipment access.
8. Q: What is the minimum height requirement for oil burner chimneys?
A: Chimneys must extend at least 3 feet above the roof and 2 feet above any
structure within 10 feet.
9. Q: What safety device is required on all oil storage tanks? A: A fill alarm
or whistle is required to prevent overfilling.
, 10. Q: What is the maximum length allowed for an oil supply line without a
valve? A: 20 feet maximum length without an intermediate shutoff valve.
11. Q: What type of electrical disconnect is required for oil burners? A: A
readily accessible disconnect switch within sight of the equipment.
12. Q: What is the required slope for oil supply lines? A: Supply lines must
slope toward the tank at 1/4 inch per foot minimum.
13. Q: What safety control is required to shut down the burner if the flame
goes out? A: A flame safety control (primary control) with a maximum 15-
second safety switch.
14. Q: What is the minimum distance between an oil tank and an ignition
source? A: 5 feet minimum distance from any ignition source.
15. Q: What type of fire extinguisher is recommended for oil burner areas?
A: Class B (flammable liquid) fire extinguishers are recommended.
16. Q: What is the maximum allowable draft in an oil burner combustion
chamber? A: -0.02 to -0.04 inches of water column draft over the fire.
17. Q: What safety device prevents oil flow when the burner is not
operating? A: An oil safety valve (OSV) or solenoid valve in the oil line.
18. Q: What is the required annual inspection frequency for commercial oil
burners? A: Commercial oil burners require annual inspections by licensed
technicians.
19. Q: What protection is required for oil supply lines in unheated areas?
A: Oil lines in unheated areas must be insulated or heat-traced to prevent
gelling.
20. Q: What is the minimum thickness required for oil storage tank walls?
A: Minimum 12-gauge steel for tanks up to 275 gallons.
21. Q: What emergency shutdown procedure should be followed for oil
burner fires? A: Shut off electrical power, close oil supply valve, and evacuate
the area.
22. Q: What is the maximum allowable stack temperature for oil burners?
A: Stack temperatures should not exceed 500°F for residential units.
23. Q: What type of gasket material is required for oil line connections? A:
Oil-resistant gasket materials only, never cork or rubber.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
224 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the minimum clearance required between an oil burner and
combustible materials? A: 18 inches minimum clearance is required from
combustible materials.
2. Q: What agency regulates oil burner installations in Massachusetts? A:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, Board of State Examiners of
Plumbers and Gas Fitters.
3. Q: What is the maximum working pressure for a residential oil burner
system? A: 15 PSI maximum working pressure for residential systems.
4. Q: When must a permit be obtained for oil burner work? A: A permit is
required for all new installations, replacements, and major repairs of oil burning
equipment.
5. Q: What is the required fire rating for an oil storage room? A: Oil
storage rooms must have a minimum 2-hour fire rating.
6. Q: What is the maximum capacity for an indoor oil storage tank without
special permits? A: 275 gallons maximum capacity for indoor residential
tanks.
7. Q: What type of ventilation is required for oil burner equipment rooms?
A: Natural or mechanical ventilation providing adequate combustion air and
equipment access.
8. Q: What is the minimum height requirement for oil burner chimneys?
A: Chimneys must extend at least 3 feet above the roof and 2 feet above any
structure within 10 feet.
9. Q: What safety device is required on all oil storage tanks? A: A fill alarm
or whistle is required to prevent overfilling.
, 10. Q: What is the maximum length allowed for an oil supply line without a
valve? A: 20 feet maximum length without an intermediate shutoff valve.
11. Q: What type of electrical disconnect is required for oil burners? A: A
readily accessible disconnect switch within sight of the equipment.
12. Q: What is the required slope for oil supply lines? A: Supply lines must
slope toward the tank at 1/4 inch per foot minimum.
13. Q: What safety control is required to shut down the burner if the flame
goes out? A: A flame safety control (primary control) with a maximum 15-
second safety switch.
14. Q: What is the minimum distance between an oil tank and an ignition
source? A: 5 feet minimum distance from any ignition source.
15. Q: What type of fire extinguisher is recommended for oil burner areas?
A: Class B (flammable liquid) fire extinguishers are recommended.
16. Q: What is the maximum allowable draft in an oil burner combustion
chamber? A: -0.02 to -0.04 inches of water column draft over the fire.
17. Q: What safety device prevents oil flow when the burner is not
operating? A: An oil safety valve (OSV) or solenoid valve in the oil line.
18. Q: What is the required annual inspection frequency for commercial oil
burners? A: Commercial oil burners require annual inspections by licensed
technicians.
19. Q: What protection is required for oil supply lines in unheated areas?
A: Oil lines in unheated areas must be insulated or heat-traced to prevent
gelling.
20. Q: What is the minimum thickness required for oil storage tank walls?
A: Minimum 12-gauge steel for tanks up to 275 gallons.
21. Q: What emergency shutdown procedure should be followed for oil
burner fires? A: Shut off electrical power, close oil supply valve, and evacuate
the area.
22. Q: What is the maximum allowable stack temperature for oil burners?
A: Stack temperatures should not exceed 500°F for residential units.
23. Q: What type of gasket material is required for oil line connections? A:
Oil-resistant gasket materials only, never cork or rubber.
