Minnesota Special Engineer Boiler License Practice Exam

A boiler equipped with two low water fuel cut-outs must have what feature on the secondary cut-out?

1. A manual reset

2. An automatic reset

3. A safety alarm

4. A pressure relief valve

The correct answer is: A manual reset

A boiler that is equipped with two low water fuel cut-outs ensures an enhanced level of safety by incorporating a redundant system for detecting low water levels. The secondary cut-out, which serves as a backup to the primary cut-out, must feature a manual reset. This requirement is in place because a manual reset requires the operator to actively acknowledge and rectify the condition that caused the low water fuel cut-out, ensuring that the operator is aware of the issue before restoring power to the boiler. This level of oversight is critical, as it helps prevent situations where a boiler could inadvertently be reactivated without the proper water levels, which could lead to serious operational hazards, including overheating and potential damage or failure of the boiler system. The manual reset function is an important safety measure, allowing the operator to confirm that appropriate corrective actions have been taken before the boiler is allowed to operate again. While options like automatic reset or safety alarms play vital roles in boiler safety, they do not provide the same level of operator intervention as a manual reset, making the latter the required feature for the secondary cut-out in this context. A pressure relief valve, while essential for safety in managing pressure changes, does not specifically pertain to the low water cut-out functionality.