Oil burner test Questions and Answers
On a new installation, can I install an oil safety valve or osv in the oil line instead of encasing
the line in a continuous sleeve? Correct Ans-No, on new installations where the oil supply
line is in direct contact with concrete or earth, the supply line must be installed in a
continuous sleeve.
Is any non-metallic material acceptable for use as an oil line sleeve? Would rubber or pvc hose
be acceptable? Correct Ans-Yes.
When can I use an osv or oil safety valve? Correct Ans-On existing installations when a
burner, boiler, furnace, or tank is replaced, an osv may be installed at the tank end of the oil
supply line instead of replacing the line as in a new installation.
Can I use either the button type or wheel type thermal (Firomatic) switch? Correct Ans-
Yes, any thermal switch may be used as long as the manufacturer has secured a listing from
an approved testing lab, and that the switch complies with both CMR 1.00, and the
Massachusetts Electrical Code,
Can I use a stack switch? Correct Ans-Only to replace an existing control of the same type
already in use and existing.
Can a technician replace an existing primary control with a safety timing of more than 15
seconds during a routine service call? Correct Ans-Yes, but only to replace an existing
control of the same type already is use and existing. Any new primary control being installed
must have a safety timing of no longer than 15 seconds and be equipped to provide for
interrupted ignition.
Are probe type or float type low-water cutoff switches acceptable? Correct Ans-Yes, as
long as they are of a listed types and used per the appliance manufacturers instructions.
, Oil burner test Questions and Answers
Do I have to sheetrock or install a sprinkler if I have combustibles within five feet vertically of
the heating unit? Is an AFUE or EF Listing required? Correct Ans-No, the so called
"overhead protection" requirement is no longer required after January 1, 2015.
Can any power venter be used? Correct Ans-Yes, as long as the power venter is listed, used
within its listing, and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Must I install draft regulator? Correct Ans-No, as long as the appliance manufacturer does
not require that one is necessary for the proper control of draft. A natural draft burner may
require one, most mechanical draft burners do not.
What is a suitable relief on an air inlet system? Correct Ans-A suitable relief is either a
vacuum breaker, or an air pressure switch. A vacuum breaker is a barometric draft regulator
installed on the inlet side of an oil burner air intake. connected by a duct to the air intake
hood located outside. Either device may be used, but both devices must be installed following
the appliance manufacturers' recommendations.
Is 100% outside air required for combustion? Correct Ans-No, however it must be verified
that infiltration will provide adequate air for combustion. If infiltration will not provide
enough air, it is recommended that outside air, or a powered air intake is used.
Can I place an oilfired unit up against a wall? Correct Ans-Cleanout and service Yes, as long
as it was constructed for zero clearance from combustibles. panels may not be blocked, and
clearances must be verified using manufacturer's literature.
Is a drop lever type valve acceptable? Correct Ans-Yes, as long as it is installed to the
manufacturers listing and recommendations.
How many valves are required on an installation? Correct Ans-A minimum of only one
each at the tank, and at the burner, but it must be described in NFPA 31 and be a hand-
operated, fusible, springloaded See Example
On a new installation, can I install an oil safety valve or osv in the oil line instead of encasing
the line in a continuous sleeve? Correct Ans-No, on new installations where the oil supply
line is in direct contact with concrete or earth, the supply line must be installed in a
continuous sleeve.
Is any non-metallic material acceptable for use as an oil line sleeve? Would rubber or pvc hose
be acceptable? Correct Ans-Yes.
When can I use an osv or oil safety valve? Correct Ans-On existing installations when a
burner, boiler, furnace, or tank is replaced, an osv may be installed at the tank end of the oil
supply line instead of replacing the line as in a new installation.
Can I use either the button type or wheel type thermal (Firomatic) switch? Correct Ans-
Yes, any thermal switch may be used as long as the manufacturer has secured a listing from
an approved testing lab, and that the switch complies with both CMR 1.00, and the
Massachusetts Electrical Code,
Can I use a stack switch? Correct Ans-Only to replace an existing control of the same type
already in use and existing.
Can a technician replace an existing primary control with a safety timing of more than 15
seconds during a routine service call? Correct Ans-Yes, but only to replace an existing
control of the same type already is use and existing. Any new primary control being installed
must have a safety timing of no longer than 15 seconds and be equipped to provide for
interrupted ignition.
Are probe type or float type low-water cutoff switches acceptable? Correct Ans-Yes, as
long as they are of a listed types and used per the appliance manufacturers instructions.
, Oil burner test Questions and Answers
Do I have to sheetrock or install a sprinkler if I have combustibles within five feet vertically of
the heating unit? Is an AFUE or EF Listing required? Correct Ans-No, the so called
"overhead protection" requirement is no longer required after January 1, 2015.
Can any power venter be used? Correct Ans-Yes, as long as the power venter is listed, used
within its listing, and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Must I install draft regulator? Correct Ans-No, as long as the appliance manufacturer does
not require that one is necessary for the proper control of draft. A natural draft burner may
require one, most mechanical draft burners do not.
What is a suitable relief on an air inlet system? Correct Ans-A suitable relief is either a
vacuum breaker, or an air pressure switch. A vacuum breaker is a barometric draft regulator
installed on the inlet side of an oil burner air intake. connected by a duct to the air intake
hood located outside. Either device may be used, but both devices must be installed following
the appliance manufacturers' recommendations.
Is 100% outside air required for combustion? Correct Ans-No, however it must be verified
that infiltration will provide adequate air for combustion. If infiltration will not provide
enough air, it is recommended that outside air, or a powered air intake is used.
Can I place an oilfired unit up against a wall? Correct Ans-Cleanout and service Yes, as long
as it was constructed for zero clearance from combustibles. panels may not be blocked, and
clearances must be verified using manufacturer's literature.
Is a drop lever type valve acceptable? Correct Ans-Yes, as long as it is installed to the
manufacturers listing and recommendations.
How many valves are required on an installation? Correct Ans-A minimum of only one
each at the tank, and at the burner, but it must be described in NFPA 31 and be a hand-
operated, fusible, springloaded See Example
