Minnesota Boiler License Practice Exam

Tricocks or gauge cocks are used on a steam boiler to indicate?

1. The true water level inside the boiler

2. To let steam into the boiler room

3. To vent out the boiler only

4. The pressure inside the boiler

The correct answer is: The true water level inside the boiler

Tricocks, also known as gauge cocks, serve a crucial function in steam boilers by indicating the true water level inside the boiler. They provide a direct means of determining the water level within the boiler, which is essential for safe operation. Typically, tricocks consist of a series of valves located at different heights on the boiler, allowing operators to gauge whether the water level is within safe limits. By opening these valves at varying heights, one can assess whether the water level is normal, too high, or too low, which is critical for preventing boiler damage or catastrophic failure due to running dry. The other options focus on functions not attributed to tricocks. Allowing steam into the boiler room relates more to safety and pressure relief mechanisms, while the venting of the boiler does not specifically involve the measuring of water levels. Additionally, while pressure gauges serve to indicate the pressure within the boiler, they do not provide information about the water level, which is the primary purpose of gauge cocks.