, Kentucky Boiler Contractor Exam Actual Exam
Question And Verified Answers/Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of a low-water fuel cutoff on a steam boiler?
A. To regulate operating steam pressure
B. To prevent damage from overheating due to insufficient water
C. To control the temperature of the feedwater supply
D. To vent excessive air from the system upon startup
Answer: B
Rationale: The low-water fuel cutoff is a critical safety device designed to shut off the
burner when the water level drops below a safe operating threshold, preventing severe
thermal shock, tube damage, or vessel failure.
2. Under KRS Chapter 236, which of the following best defines a “Power Boiler”?
A. A boiler used solely for heating a single residence
B. A boiler that produces steam at a pressure greater than 15 psi gauge
C. A low-temperature water heater for domestic use
D. Any pressure vessel that contains water
Answer: B
Explanation: A "Power Boiler" is defined as a boiler that produces steam at a pressure
greater than 15 psi gauge, distinguishing it from low-pressure heating boilers.
3. How often must a power boiler be inspected under Kentucky’s mandatory
inspection schedule?
A. Every six months
B. Annually
C. Biennially
D. Every three years
Answer: B
Explanation: Power boilers are required to undergo an annual inspection to ensure
continued compliance with safety standards.
4. According to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section I), what is the
minimum required safety valve capacity for a steam boiler?
A. It must be at least equal to the maximum burner output.
B. It must be capable of relieving all the steam the boiler can generate without the
,pressure rising more than 6% above the maximum allowable working pressure.
C. It must be set to pop at 15% above the maximum allowable working pressure.
D. It must be sized to relieve 50% of the boiler's heating surface capacity.
Answer: B
Explanation: ASME Section I mandates that safety valves must have a relieving capacity
sufficient to discharge all the steam that can be generated by the boiler without the
pressure rising more than 6% above the MAWP.
5. A boiler water sample shows high dissolved solids. What is the recommended
action?
A. Increase fuel input
B. Perform a blowdown
C. Decrease water temperature
D. Replace the safety valve
Answer: B
Rationale: Blowdown removes concentrated solids to maintain water quality and prevent
scaling.
6. Which of the following is NOT a required element of the internal inspection
procedure for a pressure vessel?
A. Removal of all insulation to view the interior surface
B. Visual examination of the interior for corrosion or cracking
C. Verification of gauge glass integrity
D. Recording of temperature at the vessel’s midpoint
Answer: D
Explanation: Recording temperature is not a standard internal inspection requirement; the
focus is on visual condition, gauge glass, and removal of insulation for access.
7. Under standard operational guidelines, how often should the low-water cutoff
on a steam boiler be blown down or tested during the heating season?
A. Monthly
B. Annually
C. Daily
D. Weekly
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily testing of the low-water fuel cutoff via blowdown ensures that sediment
and scale do not obstruct the float chamber or probe, verifying that the safety switch
remains fully operational.
8. Which regulatory code primarily governs the construction, installation, and
inspection of boilers and pressure vessels in Kentucky?
, A. National Electrical Code
B. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
C. International Plumbing Code
D. Uniform Mechanical Code
Answer: B
Rationale: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
is referenced for safe boiler construction, installation, and repair in Kentucky.
9. Which ASME code section governs the construction of heating boilers?
A. Section I
B. Section IV
C. Section VIII, Division 1
D. Section IX
Answer: B
Explanation: ASME Section IV contains the rules for the construction of heating boilers.
10. When installing a low-water fuel cutoff on a fire-tube boiler, at what point
relative to the normal water level (NWL) should it be set to shut down the burner?
A. 1 inch above the NWL
B. At the NWL
C. Slightly below the lowest visible water level in the gauge glass
D. 6 inches below the NWL
Answer: C
Explanation: It should be set so it will shut the burner off when the water level drops below
the visible range in the gauge glass, ensuring the operator has a visual warning before the
shutdown occurs.
11. According to KRS 236, which of the following is considered a "power boiler"?
A. A steam boiler operating at 12 psi for heating purposes
B. A boiler that produces steam at pressures exceeding 15 psi
C. A hot water boiler used for residential heating
D. An electric water heater for domestic use
Rationale: Power boilers are defined as boilers generating steam at pressures over 15 psi
or hot water over 250°F, used for power or process purposes .
12. How often must a low-pressure steam boiler be inspected in Kentucky?
A. Every 6 months
B. Every 12 months
C. Every 24 months
D. Every 36 months
Question And Verified Answers/Instant
download pdf.
1. What is the primary purpose of a low-water fuel cutoff on a steam boiler?
A. To regulate operating steam pressure
B. To prevent damage from overheating due to insufficient water
C. To control the temperature of the feedwater supply
D. To vent excessive air from the system upon startup
Answer: B
Rationale: The low-water fuel cutoff is a critical safety device designed to shut off the
burner when the water level drops below a safe operating threshold, preventing severe
thermal shock, tube damage, or vessel failure.
2. Under KRS Chapter 236, which of the following best defines a “Power Boiler”?
A. A boiler used solely for heating a single residence
B. A boiler that produces steam at a pressure greater than 15 psi gauge
C. A low-temperature water heater for domestic use
D. Any pressure vessel that contains water
Answer: B
Explanation: A "Power Boiler" is defined as a boiler that produces steam at a pressure
greater than 15 psi gauge, distinguishing it from low-pressure heating boilers.
3. How often must a power boiler be inspected under Kentucky’s mandatory
inspection schedule?
A. Every six months
B. Annually
C. Biennially
D. Every three years
Answer: B
Explanation: Power boilers are required to undergo an annual inspection to ensure
continued compliance with safety standards.
4. According to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section I), what is the
minimum required safety valve capacity for a steam boiler?
A. It must be at least equal to the maximum burner output.
B. It must be capable of relieving all the steam the boiler can generate without the
,pressure rising more than 6% above the maximum allowable working pressure.
C. It must be set to pop at 15% above the maximum allowable working pressure.
D. It must be sized to relieve 50% of the boiler's heating surface capacity.
Answer: B
Explanation: ASME Section I mandates that safety valves must have a relieving capacity
sufficient to discharge all the steam that can be generated by the boiler without the
pressure rising more than 6% above the MAWP.
5. A boiler water sample shows high dissolved solids. What is the recommended
action?
A. Increase fuel input
B. Perform a blowdown
C. Decrease water temperature
D. Replace the safety valve
Answer: B
Rationale: Blowdown removes concentrated solids to maintain water quality and prevent
scaling.
6. Which of the following is NOT a required element of the internal inspection
procedure for a pressure vessel?
A. Removal of all insulation to view the interior surface
B. Visual examination of the interior for corrosion or cracking
C. Verification of gauge glass integrity
D. Recording of temperature at the vessel’s midpoint
Answer: D
Explanation: Recording temperature is not a standard internal inspection requirement; the
focus is on visual condition, gauge glass, and removal of insulation for access.
7. Under standard operational guidelines, how often should the low-water cutoff
on a steam boiler be blown down or tested during the heating season?
A. Monthly
B. Annually
C. Daily
D. Weekly
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily testing of the low-water fuel cutoff via blowdown ensures that sediment
and scale do not obstruct the float chamber or probe, verifying that the safety switch
remains fully operational.
8. Which regulatory code primarily governs the construction, installation, and
inspection of boilers and pressure vessels in Kentucky?
, A. National Electrical Code
B. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
C. International Plumbing Code
D. Uniform Mechanical Code
Answer: B
Rationale: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
is referenced for safe boiler construction, installation, and repair in Kentucky.
9. Which ASME code section governs the construction of heating boilers?
A. Section I
B. Section IV
C. Section VIII, Division 1
D. Section IX
Answer: B
Explanation: ASME Section IV contains the rules for the construction of heating boilers.
10. When installing a low-water fuel cutoff on a fire-tube boiler, at what point
relative to the normal water level (NWL) should it be set to shut down the burner?
A. 1 inch above the NWL
B. At the NWL
C. Slightly below the lowest visible water level in the gauge glass
D. 6 inches below the NWL
Answer: C
Explanation: It should be set so it will shut the burner off when the water level drops below
the visible range in the gauge glass, ensuring the operator has a visual warning before the
shutdown occurs.
11. According to KRS 236, which of the following is considered a "power boiler"?
A. A steam boiler operating at 12 psi for heating purposes
B. A boiler that produces steam at pressures exceeding 15 psi
C. A hot water boiler used for residential heating
D. An electric water heater for domestic use
Rationale: Power boilers are defined as boilers generating steam at pressures over 15 psi
or hot water over 250°F, used for power or process purposes .
12. How often must a low-pressure steam boiler be inspected in Kentucky?
A. Every 6 months
B. Every 12 months
C. Every 24 months
D. Every 36 months
