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

If proper ignition has not occurred, what is a common indicator?

1. Visible smoke

2. Strong odor of fuel oil

3. Increased pressure

4. Cool burner temperatures

The correct answer is: Strong odor of fuel oil

When proper ignition has not occurred in a low pressure boiler system, one of the most noticeable indicators is the strong odor of fuel oil. This happens because unburned fuel oil can accumulate when the ignition process fails. Normally, after successful ignition, the fuel is combusted, resulting in minimal odor. However, when ignition does not take place as expected, excess fuel can escape into the combustion area, leading to a strong, distinctive smell of unburned fuel oil. While visible smoke may sometimes be indicative of improper combustion, it is not as direct an indicator as the fuel oil smell, as other factors could influence smoke production. Increased pressure typically suggests a functioning system rather than a misfire, and cool burner temperatures are usually indicators of insufficient heat generation but do not specifically signal ignition failure as directly as the odor of fuel does. Thus, the presence of a strong odor of fuel oil is a clear sign that something is wrong with the ignition process, making it the correct choice.