New York Low Pressure Boiler Certificate of Fitness (COF) Practice Test

A lockout situation occurs when which component fails?

1. Water level gauge

2. Pressuretrol

3. Safety valve

4. Fuel pump

The correct answer is: Pressuretrol

A lockout situation generally occurs as a safety measure when there is a failure in critical components that manage the operation of the boiler. The pressuretrol, which is responsible for monitoring and controlling the pressure within the boiler system, plays a vital role in ensuring safe operation. If the pressuretrol fails, it can either fail to detect unsafe pressure levels or malfunction in regulating the boiler's pressure settings. This could lead to dangerous pressure conditions, prompting a lockout to prevent potential hazards such as explosions or other dangerous situations. In this context, a lockout mechanism is a safety feature that halts the operation of the boiler to prevent further risks until the issue is resolved. Other components, while important, do not trigger a lockout in the same manner as the pressuretrol, which directly influences pressure control and safety protocols in the system.