Minnesota Boiler License Practice Exam

What is meant by a high-pressure boiler?

1. anything over 15 PSI

2. steam in excess of 15 psi or water or other liquid in excess of 212 degrees Fahrenheit

3. a boiler operating at a steam or other vapor pressure in excess of 15 psig, or a water or other liquid boiler, in which the pressure exceeds 160 psig or the temperature exceeds 250 degrees Fahrenheit

4. a boiler with a pressure not exceeding 15 psig

The correct answer is: a boiler operating at a steam or other vapor pressure in excess of 15 psig, or a water or other liquid boiler, in which the pressure exceeds 160 psig or the temperature exceeds 250 degrees Fahrenheit

A high-pressure boiler is defined by specific pressure and temperature parameters that indicate the potential for increased hazards and operational considerations. The correct choice details that a high-pressure boiler operates at a steam pressure exceeding 15 psig, which is a critical point since standard or low-pressure boilers typically operate under this threshold. Additionally, for water or other liquid boilers, it specifies that the pressure must exceed 160 psig or the temperature must exceed 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This definition is important because it establishes the criteria for classifying boilers, which in turn influences the safety, design, and operational protocols required to manage such equipment effectively. Higher pressures and temperatures can lead to increased risks of failure or explosion, necessitating stricter regulations and monitoring. Understanding these parameters is essential for compliance with safety standards and for ensuring the safe operation of boiler systems. The other options either do not encompass the full extent of these definitions or define parameters for lower pressure and temperature, which do not meet the criteria for classifying a boiler as high-pressure.