Book 2 Chapter 3: Steam Heating Systems

Question 1

In a gravity return system, the boiler should be placed:
A) Well above the highest radiator
B) Well below the lowest radiator
C) On an elevated platform
D) At same level as the radiators

Answer 1

B) Well below the lowest radiator

Question 2

A pressure balancing device that prevents the boiler pressure from forcing the water in the boiler into the return line is called a:
A) Pressure equalizer
B) Bleed valve
C) Hartford loop
D) Pressure control valve

Answer 2

C) Hartford loop

Question 3

If the water level falls too low during operation of a steam heating boiler, the operator should:
A) Lower the flame and add water to bring it up to a safe level
B) Add more water immediately
C) Operate the safety valve
D) Shut the boiler down

Answer 3

D) Shut the boiler down

Question 4

Steam in a two-pipe, vacuum return system is supplied at a maximum pressure of _________.
A) 75kPa (10psi)
B) 50kPa (7psi)
C) 200kPa (30psi)
D) 103kPa (15psi)

Answer 4

D) 103kPa (15psi)

Question 5

Causes of insufficient steam supply to the heating units can be attributed to:
A) Improper pitch
B) Defective radiator valve
C) Clogging of connections and valve
D) All of the above

Answer 5

D) All of the above

Question 6

Finned convectors should be kept free of:
A) Corrosion
B) Air
C) Paper
D) Dust
E) All of the above

Answer 6

E) All of the above

Question 7

A _________ for a steam heating system will reduce the possibility of heating problems occurring when the system is in service.
A) Good preventative maintenance program
B) Air/fuel controller
C) High capacity boiler
D) Heat monitor
E) Thermostatic controller

Answer 7

A) Good preventative maintenance program

Question 8

All supply and drain lines of a steam heating system must be pitched to:
A) Prevent corrosion
B) Allow for temperature expansion
C) Allow collection of air at the highest points
D) Allow for drainage of condensate
E) All of the above

Answer 8

D) Allow for drainage condensate

Question 9

The Hartford loop prevents the water in the boiler from:
A) Exceeding the maximum temperature
B) Exceeding the highest safe level
C) Dropping below a safe level
D) Contamination by impurities in the returning condensate
E) Flowing out through the steam main

Answer 9

C) Dropping below a safe level

Question 10

In all steam heating systems, the horizontal steam supply pipes between the boiler and the heating units are called the:
A) Racks
B) Downcomers
C) Mains
D) Banks
E) Risers

Answer 10

C) Mains

Question 11

The first step in starting up a steam system is to:
A) Fill the boiler
B) Open the air vents
C) Open the gas valves
D) Check for a valid operating certificate from a provincial inspector
E) Clean up the area

Answer 11

D) Check for a valid operating certificate from a provincial inspector

Question 12

In the case of radiators and convectors, the main source of trouble are:
A) Push nipples
B) Air vents
C) Connecting rods
D) Valves and traps
E) Air traps

Answer 12

D) Valves and traps

Question 13

Slow or insufficient heat in one or more rooms in a steam heated building can be caused by a faulty:
A) Float switch
B) Vacuum switch
C) Sight glass
D) Steam trap
E) Heater

Answer 13

D) Steam trap

Question 14

Which one of the following steam heating systems can be used to overcome the difficulty of returning condensate back to the boiler due to inefficient static head?
A) Two pipe, free drain return system
B) One pipe, gravity return system
C) One pipe, free flow return system
D) Two pipe, gravity return system
E) Two pipe, return trap system

Answer 14

E) Two pipe, return trap system

Question 15

The piping and heating units of a steam heating system must be arranged so that:
A) Steam can flow freely to all heating units
B) The air can be kept at the top of the heating units
C) The condensate can flow freely to the heating units
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Answer 15

A) Steam can flow freely to all heating units

Question 16

One of the causes of insufficient steam supply to the heating units can be attributed to:
A) Bypassing of steam to supply line
B) Proper pitch unrestricted drainage
C) Piping over sized restricting flow
D) Air vents passing steam
E) Valves on mains wide open

Answer 16

D) Air vents passing steam

Question 17

In all systems, the vertical pipes to the various floors are called the:
A) Return lines
B) Steam lines
C) Mains
D) Risers
E) Steam pipes

Answer 17

D) Risers

Question 18

When the supply mains are located below the heating units they serve, and the steam is supplied upwards through the risers to the heating units, the system is called a/an______ system.
A) Steam supply
B) Under floor
C) Heating supply
D) Downfeed
E) Upfeed

Answer 18

E) Upfeed

Question 19

The piping and heating units of a steam heating system must be arranged so that:
A) The condensate can be returned freely to these units
B) Steam can flow freely from all heating units
C) The air can be expelled from the heating units and piping
D) Steam can flow in insufficient quantities to all heating units
E) The condensate can flow freely from the boiler

Answer 19

C) The air can be expelled from the heating units and piping

Question 20

A leaking steam trap will allow steam to blow from the radiator into the:
A) Boiler
B) Steam risers
C) Return lines
D) Steam mains
E) Atmosphere

Answer 20

C) Return lines

Question 21

In all systems, the horizontal steam supply pipes between boiler and heating units are called the:
A) Steam lines
B) Risers
C) Steam pipes
D) Mains
E) Return lines

Answer 21

D) Mains

Question 22

Steam in a two-pipe, vacuum system is supplied pressures up to:
A) 200kPa (30psi)
B) 103kPa (15psi)
C) 15kPa (2psi)
D) 50kPa (7psi)
E) 75kPa (10psi)

Answer 22

B) 103kPa (15psi)

Question 23

The piping and heating units of a steam heating system must be arranged so that:
A) Steam can flow in sufficient quantities to all heating units
B) The condensate can be returned freely to these units
C) The air can be contained in the heating units and piping
D) The condensate can flow freely from the boiler
E) Steam can flow freely from all heating units

Answer 23

A) Steam can flow in sufficient quantities to all heating units

Question 24

One of the causes of insufficient steam supply to the heating units can be attributed to:
A) Bypassing of steam to supply line
B) Air vents passing air
C) Piping oversized restricting flow
D) Valves on mains partly closed
E) Proper pitch unrestricted drainage

Answer 24

D) Valves on mains partly closed

Question 25

When the return main is located above the water line, which is usually only partly filled with condensate and will drain dry when the flow of condensate ceases, is called a ________ return.
A) Downfeed
B) Upfeed
C) Heating
D) Dry
E) Wet

Answer 25

D) Dry