Before starting up the boiler each morning, what should the custodian or fireman verify?

• A. Fuel supply
• B. The water is at a safe level
• C. Flue gas exit
• D. Burner cleanliness

Answer: (B)

Verifying that the water is at a safe level is crucial before starting up the boiler. The boiler operates based on a delicate balance of water and pressure, and having insufficient water can lead to overheating, tube failures, or even boiler explosion. Ensuring a safe water level mitigates these risks and allows the boiler to operate efficiently and safely.

Monitoring water levels is crucial to the operation of a boiler because it affects steam production and the overall functioning of the heating system. If the water level is too low, it can expose the heating elements to air, causing them to overheat and potentially fail. Conversely, water that is too high may lead to the carryover of water into the steam system, which could damage equipment downstream.

Other factors like fuel supply, flue gas exit, and burner cleanliness also play important roles in boiler operation but do not directly impact immediate safety checks as significantly as verifying the water level does. Therefore, focusing on ensuring that the water level is adequate is a primary and essential task that must be performed to guarantee safe boiler operation.