How many minutes at a maximum can a boiler smoke white before it must be secured?

The correct maximum duration for a boiler to smoke white before it must be secured is one minute. This reflects operational safety protocols that are crucial for maintaining efficiency and preventing damage. White smoke typically indicates the presence of water vapor due to steam production that is not normal during combustion processes, which can happen when water enters the combustion chamber.

Allowing a boiler to smoke white beyond this timeframe could indicate a potentially unsafe condition or misalignment in the operation, potentially leading to water hammer or other mechanical failures. Therefore, the one-minute threshold serves as a critical limit to ensure that any anomalies are addressed promptly. It’s important for machinist mates to recognize these signs and take swift action, as continuing operations under these conditions can jeopardize the integrity of the equipment and the safety of personnel.