New York Low Pressure Boiler COF Practice

How many fusible plugs are required for a boiler operating at 100 psig?

1. Zero

2. One

3. Two

4. Three

The correct answer is: One

For a boiler operating at 100 psig, the requirement for fusible plugs is one. Fusible plugs serve as a safety feature intended to prevent overheating of the boiler. They are designed to melt at a specific temperature, thereby allowing water to escape and reducing the risk of a catastrophic failure due to low water conditions. Regulatory standards typically dictate that for low-pressure boilers (such as those operating at or below 15 psi) and up to specific higher pressures like 100 psig, at least one fusible plug must be installed. Its purpose ensures that if the water level drops below a certain point, the fusible plug will melt and release the pressure or provide an emergency route for steam, thereby protecting the boiler structure and operators from dangerous conditions. While higher pressures might necessitate more than one fusible plug for additional safety depending on design, the minimum requirement at 100 psig remains at one. Other options suggesting zero or multiple fusible plugs do not align with standard safety requirements for this pressure range, which is why one is the appropriate answer in this context.