Massachusetts 2nd Class Fireman's Practice Exam 2025 - Free Fireman License Practice Questions and Study Guide

The appropriate method to check the water level in the gauge glass of a steam boiler is to use the trycocks. Trycocks are small valves located above the gauge glass that allow the operator to manually check the water level. By opening these valves, if water flows out, it indicates the water level is at the height of the trycock; if steam or no water comes out, it signifies that the water level is below that point. This method is reliable as it provides a direct observation of the water level and helps verify the accuracy of the gauge glass reading.

Utilizing the bottom blowoff valve is not suitable for checking the gauge glass water level because this valve is primarily used for cleaning sediment from the bottom of the boiler and not for determining water level.

Blowing down the low-water cutoff would purge the device of buildup but doesn’t serve the purpose of accurately gauging the current water level in the boiler’s system.

Comparing the water level with another boiler would be ineffective, as the water levels could differ based on many variables, such as pressure, steam usage, and individual boiler design, making it a non-precise method for assessing water levels.