Massachusetts Oil Burner Exam 2025/2026 | Complete
Questions with 100% Verified Correct Answers
Massachusetts Oil Burner Licensing Exam | NFPA 31, State Amendments, Combustion
Principles, Burner Operations, Safety Codes, Venting, Fuel Systems, and Efficiency Standards |
Expert-Verified Q&A | Trade & Certification-Ready
Introduction
This document provides a complete and updated study set for the Massachusetts Oil Burner
Licensing Exam for the 2025/2026 cycle. It includes 100 multiple-choice questions covering key
areas: Massachusetts regulations (527 CMR 1.00, NFPA 1, NFPA 31), combustion principles,
burner operations, safety codes, venting requirements, fuel systems, and efficiency standards.
Aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) requirements and NFPA 31
(2020 Edition) with state amendments, all answers are verified for accuracy to ensure thorough
preparation for the Oil Burner Technician or Apprentice certification exam and practical field
application. This resource is designed for candidates seeking to pass the exam and excel in the
oil heating industry.
Answer Format
Correct answers are highlighted in bold and green, with detailed rationales explaining the
reasoning, referencing NFPA 31, 527 CMR 1.00, and industry standards to reinforce technical
understanding and compliance.
Massachusetts Oil Burner Exam 2025/2026 | Verified Content | Aligned with
Licensing Standards | Prepared for Trade & Technical Excellence
Massachusetts Oil Burner Exam Questions (1–100)
Section 1: Regulations and Codes (Questions 1–25)
1. Which code governs oil burner installations in Massachusetts as of 2025?
a) 527 CMR 4.00
b) NFPA 31 with Massachusetts amendments
c) NFPA 70
d) IBC 2015
b) NFPA 31 with Massachusetts amendments
Rationale: Since January 1, 2015, Massachusetts has adopted NFPA 31 with state-specific
amendments under 527 CMR 1.00, replacing the older 527 CMR 4.00 for oil burner
installations.
,2. What is the minimum required height for fill and vent pipes per
Massachusetts regulations?
a) 2 feet
b) 3 feet
c) 4 feet
d) 5 feet
b) 3 feet
Rationale: NFPA 31 and Massachusetts amendments require fill and vent pipes to extend at
least 3 feet above ground to ensure safe access and prevent contamination.
3. When is a permit required to store oil in Massachusetts?
a) 5 gallons
b) 10 gallons
c) 20 gallons
d) 50 gallons
b) 10 gallons
Rationale: A permit is required for storing 10 gallons or more of fuel oil, as per Massachusetts
regulations under 527 CMR 1.00.
4. Who issues the permit to install an oil burner in Massachusetts?
a) Local building inspector
b) State Fire Marshal
c) Department of Environmental Protection
d) Licensed electrician
b) State Fire Marshal
Rationale: The State Fire Marshal, through the Department of Fire Services, issues permits for
oil burner installations, per 527 CMR 1.00.
5. What is the penalty for performing oil burner work without a license in
Massachusetts?
a) No penalty
b) Fines and possible license suspension
c) Warning only
d) Community service
b) Fines and possible license suspension
Rationale: Unlicensed work or misrepresentation as a licensed technician can result in fines and
license penalties, effective May 15, 2020, per 527 CMR 1.00.
6. What form is required for an oil burner installation permit in
Massachusetts?
a) Form FP-056
b) Form 1
c) Form NFPA-31
d) Form CMR-4
b) Form 1
, Rationale: Form 1 is required for oil burner installation permits and must be submitted to the
local fire department before work begins, per 527 CMR 4.03.
7. True or False: Carbon monoxide detectors are required on each level of
residential properties in Massachusetts.
a) True
b) False
a) True
Rationale: Per 527 CMR 31 and MGL Chapter 148, Section 26F 1/2, carbon monoxide detectors
are required on each level of residential properties, within 10 feet of bedroom doorways.
8. What is the minimum vent outlet height from grade in Massachusetts,
per local interpretations?
a) 12 inches
b) 24 inches
c) 36 inches
d) 48 inches
d) 48 inches
Rationale: Local jurisdictions, such as Plymouth Fire Department, interpret NFPA 31 and 527
CMR 4.04 to require a minimum vent height of 48 inches from grade to account for snow and
debris.
9. What is required for emergency oil burner replacements in
Massachusetts?
a) No permit needed
b) Form 1 filed on the first business day after installation
c) Immediate inspection
d) Pre-approval from the State Fire Marshal
b) Form 1 filed on the first business day after installation
Rationale: For emergency replacements, Form 1 must be filed on the first business day
following installation, per 527 CMR 4.03.
10. Which organization provides training for Massachusetts oil burner code
compliance?
a) National Fire Protection Association
b) Firedragon Academy
c) International Code Council
d) ASHRAE
b) Firedragon Academy
Rationale: Firedragon Academy, in partnership with MEMA, offers training on NFPA 31 and
Massachusetts amendments at facilities like the Beckett Training Center.
11. What is the maximum oil storage capacity for a residential property
without a special license?
a) 5,000 gallons
b) 10,000 gallons
Questions with 100% Verified Correct Answers
Massachusetts Oil Burner Licensing Exam | NFPA 31, State Amendments, Combustion
Principles, Burner Operations, Safety Codes, Venting, Fuel Systems, and Efficiency Standards |
Expert-Verified Q&A | Trade & Certification-Ready
Introduction
This document provides a complete and updated study set for the Massachusetts Oil Burner
Licensing Exam for the 2025/2026 cycle. It includes 100 multiple-choice questions covering key
areas: Massachusetts regulations (527 CMR 1.00, NFPA 1, NFPA 31), combustion principles,
burner operations, safety codes, venting requirements, fuel systems, and efficiency standards.
Aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) requirements and NFPA 31
(2020 Edition) with state amendments, all answers are verified for accuracy to ensure thorough
preparation for the Oil Burner Technician or Apprentice certification exam and practical field
application. This resource is designed for candidates seeking to pass the exam and excel in the
oil heating industry.
Answer Format
Correct answers are highlighted in bold and green, with detailed rationales explaining the
reasoning, referencing NFPA 31, 527 CMR 1.00, and industry standards to reinforce technical
understanding and compliance.
Massachusetts Oil Burner Exam 2025/2026 | Verified Content | Aligned with
Licensing Standards | Prepared for Trade & Technical Excellence
Massachusetts Oil Burner Exam Questions (1–100)
Section 1: Regulations and Codes (Questions 1–25)
1. Which code governs oil burner installations in Massachusetts as of 2025?
a) 527 CMR 4.00
b) NFPA 31 with Massachusetts amendments
c) NFPA 70
d) IBC 2015
b) NFPA 31 with Massachusetts amendments
Rationale: Since January 1, 2015, Massachusetts has adopted NFPA 31 with state-specific
amendments under 527 CMR 1.00, replacing the older 527 CMR 4.00 for oil burner
installations.
,2. What is the minimum required height for fill and vent pipes per
Massachusetts regulations?
a) 2 feet
b) 3 feet
c) 4 feet
d) 5 feet
b) 3 feet
Rationale: NFPA 31 and Massachusetts amendments require fill and vent pipes to extend at
least 3 feet above ground to ensure safe access and prevent contamination.
3. When is a permit required to store oil in Massachusetts?
a) 5 gallons
b) 10 gallons
c) 20 gallons
d) 50 gallons
b) 10 gallons
Rationale: A permit is required for storing 10 gallons or more of fuel oil, as per Massachusetts
regulations under 527 CMR 1.00.
4. Who issues the permit to install an oil burner in Massachusetts?
a) Local building inspector
b) State Fire Marshal
c) Department of Environmental Protection
d) Licensed electrician
b) State Fire Marshal
Rationale: The State Fire Marshal, through the Department of Fire Services, issues permits for
oil burner installations, per 527 CMR 1.00.
5. What is the penalty for performing oil burner work without a license in
Massachusetts?
a) No penalty
b) Fines and possible license suspension
c) Warning only
d) Community service
b) Fines and possible license suspension
Rationale: Unlicensed work or misrepresentation as a licensed technician can result in fines and
license penalties, effective May 15, 2020, per 527 CMR 1.00.
6. What form is required for an oil burner installation permit in
Massachusetts?
a) Form FP-056
b) Form 1
c) Form NFPA-31
d) Form CMR-4
b) Form 1
, Rationale: Form 1 is required for oil burner installation permits and must be submitted to the
local fire department before work begins, per 527 CMR 4.03.
7. True or False: Carbon monoxide detectors are required on each level of
residential properties in Massachusetts.
a) True
b) False
a) True
Rationale: Per 527 CMR 31 and MGL Chapter 148, Section 26F 1/2, carbon monoxide detectors
are required on each level of residential properties, within 10 feet of bedroom doorways.
8. What is the minimum vent outlet height from grade in Massachusetts,
per local interpretations?
a) 12 inches
b) 24 inches
c) 36 inches
d) 48 inches
d) 48 inches
Rationale: Local jurisdictions, such as Plymouth Fire Department, interpret NFPA 31 and 527
CMR 4.04 to require a minimum vent height of 48 inches from grade to account for snow and
debris.
9. What is required for emergency oil burner replacements in
Massachusetts?
a) No permit needed
b) Form 1 filed on the first business day after installation
c) Immediate inspection
d) Pre-approval from the State Fire Marshal
b) Form 1 filed on the first business day after installation
Rationale: For emergency replacements, Form 1 must be filed on the first business day
following installation, per 527 CMR 4.03.
10. Which organization provides training for Massachusetts oil burner code
compliance?
a) National Fire Protection Association
b) Firedragon Academy
c) International Code Council
d) ASHRAE
b) Firedragon Academy
Rationale: Firedragon Academy, in partnership with MEMA, offers training on NFPA 31 and
Massachusetts amendments at facilities like the Beckett Training Center.
11. What is the maximum oil storage capacity for a residential property
without a special license?
a) 5,000 gallons
b) 10,000 gallons
