Question 377Steam Plants - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is C) attempt to reseat the valve using the hand releasing gear. The reason this is the correct answer is that the first and most immediate action to take when a steam drum safety valve develops a significant leak is to try to reseat the valve using the hand releasing gear. This allows the operator to attempt to close the valve and stop the leak without having to shut down the boiler system. Securing the boiler and blanking off the valve flange or checking the valve spring compression would be secondary actions if the hand releasing gear fails to reseat the valve. The other options are not the best first corrective action. Inspecting the escape piping (option B) would not directly address the leaking valve, and securing the boiler and checking the valve spring (option D) are more involved steps that should only be taken if the hand releasing gear does not work.