Question 266Steam Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is B) secure the fires and then secure the main feed stop-check valve to the boiler. This is the correct action because a rapidly dropping boiler water level indicates a serious issue that requires immediate action to prevent damage to the boiler. Securing the fires stops the generation of more steam, and closing the main feed stop-check valve isolates the boiler from the feed system, preventing further loss of water. This allows the engineer to investigate and address the underlying cause without risking a catastrophic boiler failure. The other options are incorrect because blowing down the gage glass (A) would only confirm the low water level but not address the root problem, speeding up the feed pump (C) could potentially overfill the boiler, and securing the steam stop and then the fires (D) would cut off steam supply without first isolating the boiler.