Arkansas Boiler Operator Practice Exam

Which safety feature is used to prevent overpressure in a boiler?

1. Blow-off valve

2. Temperature gauge

3. Safety relief valve

4. Water level sensor

The correct answer is: Safety relief valve

The safety relief valve plays a critical role in maintaining the safe operation of a boiler by preventing overpressure. Boilers operate under high pressure, and if the pressure rises beyond the designed limit, it can lead to catastrophic failures, including explosions. The safety relief valve is engineered to automatically open when pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, allowing excess steam or water to escape. This release of pressure helps to bring the boiler back to safe operating levels, thus ensuring the integrity of the system. In contrast, other options serve different functions that do not directly relate to preventing overpressure. The blow-off valve is primarily utilized for draining water or sludge from the boiler and does not effectively manage pressure issues. The temperature gauge provides important information regarding the temperature of the steam or water but does not manage pressure directly. The water level sensor is crucial for indicating the water levels within the boiler to prevent low water conditions but again does not control or mitigate overpressure situations. Therefore, the safety relief valve is the appropriate safety feature for addressing overpressure concerns in boilers.