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⚡ 4th Class Part B · 852 exam-style questions

4B power engineering practice exam

Part B is the applied half of the 4th Class, the day-to-day plant: lubrication and bearings, pumps and compressors, boiler operation, water treatment, prime movers, refrigeration, and HVAC. Practise with 852 original exam-style questions written objective-by-objective to the public SOPEEC/ABSA 4th Class syllabus, sit unlimited mock exams in the real 100-question format, and walk in knowing exactly where you stand.

Try 20 free 4B questions: no signup See the full 4B course

Original questions, written objective-by-objective to the public ABSA/SOPEEC 4th Class syllabus (AB-054), not copied from any textbook or secured exam. One-time purchase, lifetime access. Independent; not affiliated with SOPEEC, ABSA, Technical Safety BC, TSSA, or PanGlobal.

How SteamTicket fits with your textbook

SteamTicket is practice questions, timed mock exams and explanations for testing yourself. Read a unit in the free NAIT, SAIT and BCIT power engineering textbooks (CC BY-NC-SA), then test yourself on it here. 4th Class Part B has 852 questions across 12 units, listed below, and each practice set pulls 20 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen. When your units look strong, sit a full timed mock: 100 questions in 3 hours, marked against the 65% pass mark.

852 questions across 12 units. Textbooks open on the BCIT Library repository site.

UnitTopicQuestionsFree textbook
B-1Lubrication and Bearings47Read Unit 1
B-2Pumps and Compressors70Read Unit 2
B-3Boiler Safety Devices82Read Unit 3
B-4Boiler Plant Operation and Management96Browse 4th Class books
B-5Energy Plant Maintenance62Browse 4th Class books
B-6Water Treatment72Browse 4th Class books
B-7Types of Prime Movers and Heat Engines43Browse 4th Class books
B-8Plant Auxiliary Systems33Browse 4th Class books
B-9Basic Concepts of Compression and Absorption Refrigeration198Browse 4th Class books
B-10HVAC Fundamentals for Facility Operators54Browse 4th Class books
B-11Building Environmental Systems and Control60Browse 4th Class books
B-12Typical Industrial Plant Configurations35Read Unit 12

Textbooks are produced by NAIT, SAIT and BCIT and hosted by the BCIT Library repository. SteamTicket links to them and is not affiliated with these institutions.

What is SteamTicket, and what isn't it?

What SteamTicket is, and what it isn't

SteamTicket is:

  • Practice questions for your power engineering exam, organised by unit, with an explanation for each answer.
  • Timed mock exams for the standard SOPEEC multiple-choice papers: 100 questions in 3 hours, marked against the 65% pass mark. 313A uses 125 questions in 4 hours, with a 70% pass mark. 1st Class practice on papers A1 to A4 and B1 to B3 is multiple choice on the syllabus and does not match the long-answer paper.
  • A way to test yourself. SMART Quiz brings back the questions you miss, and your progress shows which units need more work.
  • Made by Jax & Noah Studios Inc., an independent Canadian company.

SteamTicket isn’t:

  • A textbook or a course. You learn the material from the free NAIT, SAIT and BCIT power engineering textbooks (CC BY-NC-SA) or your course materials. The free textbooks for every class are listed here. See the free textbooks
  • Affiliated with or endorsed by SOPEEC, ABSA, TSSA, Technical Safety BC or any regulator, or by NAIT, SAIT or BCIT.
  • A copy of the real exam. Every question is original, written to the public syllabus.
  • A promise of a pass. It shows you where you stand, so you can focus your study.
852
Exam-style questions
100 MCQ
Mock exam format
3 hr
Time per paper
65%
SOPEEC pass mark

Your accepted course teaches it: we stick it

SteamTicket is not an ABSA-accepted course and we say so plainly. If you’re already in an accepted 4th Class program, this is the layer that turns course knowledge into exam marks: 852 questions keyed to every AB-054 Part B objective, unlimited 100-question mocks in the real 3-hour format, and a worked explanation on every question.

$79 once: not every two weeks, not per year

Lifetime access for one payment. Compare: $40 every 2 weeks per paper (PE Practice) or $99 per paper per year (Full Steam Ahead). The longer your ticket takes, the wider the gap.

Write the paper, not the course

The SMART Quiz starts every session with your weakest units and re-asks what you miss. Your free sample ends with a weak-area readout, so you know exactly what to fix before exam day.

Competitor rates are public list prices checked 5 September 2026, confirm current pricing on their sites.

Those two rates are not the whole set. 4th Class power engineering practice exams compared and the compare hub keep the wider checked pages, including where another tool is the better fit.

The 4B exam format

The 4th Class certificate has two papers, Part A (4A) and Part B (4B), and you write them separately. SteamTicket’s 4B mocks use the real format (100 questions, 3 hours, 65% to pass). Real exam questions are worded differently, so study every unit, not just the mocks.

Parameter4B (Part B)
Part of4th Class certificate (with 4A)
Questions100 multiple-choice
Time limit3 hours
Pass mark65%
Choices per question4

Last verified 27 June 2026: see the exam-format facts and sources. Mock timing follows the SOPEEC-style 3-hour, 100-question format.

Exam format reflects the SOPEEC standard as published for 2026. Always confirm current requirements with your provincial regulator before registering. Independent study tool; not affiliated with SOPEEC, ABSA, Technical Safety BC, TSSA, or PanGlobal.

What 4B covers

Part B is the applied layer: how the plant actually runs. SteamTicket carries questions across all twelve Part B units, each keyed to its AB-054 objective.

Rotating equipment

B-1 Lubrication & Bearings · B-2 Pumps & Compressors · B-7 Prime Movers & Heat Engines

Boiler operation

B-3 Boiler Safety Devices · B-4 Boiler Plant Operation & Management

Maintenance & water

B-5 Energy Plant Maintenance · B-6 Water Treatment

Plant systems

B-8 Plant Auxiliary Systems · B-12 Typical Industrial Plant Configurations

Refrigeration

B-9 Compression & Absorption Refrigeration

HVAC & controls

B-10 HVAC Fundamentals · B-11 Building Environmental Systems & Control

Which exam does this cover?

This is practice for the 4th Class Part B paper. Each regulator names and administers that paper as below. Expect the real exam’s wording and topic weighting to differ from SteamTicket’s practice questions.

Technical Safety BC 4B1 unit names

Technical Safety BC lists the same twelve Part B areas in the same order, under its own names. Use this to match your BC result letter to SteamTicket’s units.

SteamTicket unit (ABSA AB-054)Technical Safety BC 4B1
B-1 Lubrication and BearingsB1 Lubrication
B-2 Pumps and CompressorsB2 Pumps and Compressors
B-3 Boiler Safety DevicesB3 Boiler Safety Devices
B-4 Boiler Plant Operation and ManagementB4 Plant (Boiler) Operations
B-5 Energy Plant MaintenanceB5 Power Plant / Heating Plant Maintenance
B-6 Water TreatmentB6 Water Treatment
B-7 Types of Prime Movers and Heat EnginesB7 Prime Movers and Engines
B-8 Plant Auxiliary SystemsB8 Auxiliary Building Systems
B-9 Basic Concepts of Compression and Absorption RefrigerationB9 Refrigeration
B-10 HVAC Fundamentals for Facility OperatorsB10 Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning
B-11 Building Environmental Systems and ControlB11 Heating and Cooling Systems
B-12 Typical Industrial Plant ConfigurationsB12 Types of Plants

Sources: Technical Safety BC Fourth Class certification and its Fourth Class Power Engineer Syllabus (2017); other provinces’ paper names as recorded on SteamTicket’s province pages. SteamTicket is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any regulator. Confirm current requirements with your regulator before you book.

4B or 4A: which do you need?

The 4th Class certificate is two separate papers. Most candidates write Part A first, then Part B, but you can prepare for them in any order your regulator allows.

Part B (4B): this page

Applied plant operation: lubrication, pumps and compressors, boiler operation, water treatment, prime movers, refrigeration, and HVAC. 852 questions.

Part A (4A)

Fundamentals: mechanics, thermodynamics, governance, safety, materials, fluids, electrical, controls, and an introduction to boilers. 596 questions.

4A practice exam →

Writing both? The 4th Class bundle covers Part A and Part B together for $99 once. Lifetime access, not 120 days.

What’s included

852 original questions

Original, exam-style multiple choice written objective-by-objective to the public ABSA/SOPEEC 4th Class Part B syllabus (AB-054). Worked explanation on every question.

Real-format mock exams

Timed 100-question mocks matching the real 3-hour format. Sit as many times as you like; review every answer afterwards.

Adaptive SMART Quiz

Every session is built from your own results, weak units first, spaced re-asks on questions you missed.

Keeps going if signal drops

Study on any device. Once a course is open it keeps working if your signal drops mid-session, handy on a job site or in a plant. You need a connection to open a course, and progress syncs when you reconnect.

Keyed to the syllabus

Every question carries its exact AB-054 objective reference, so you always know which objective you’re drilling.

One-time, lifetime

Pay $79 once. No subscription. Lifetime access includes future updates to the 4B bank, plus a 30-day refund.

4B sample questions, explained

6 questions from our free public 4B sample, with the answer, a worked explanation, and why each other option is not the answer. They are original exam-style questions written to the public syllabus, not questions from a real exam. Print 10 free 4B questions.

1. Which of the following is NOT a cause of antifriction bearing failure described in this unit?

  • A. Misalignment of the shaft causing uneven loading
  • B. Storing a cleaned bearing wrapped in greaseproof paper
  • C. Improper fitting that brinells the races during installation
  • D. Poor quality, incorrect, or old lubricant
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B. Causes of antifriction bearing failure include poor or old lubricant, improper fitting (brinelling), misalignment, false brinelling, and high operating temperatures. Storing a cleaned bearing in rust preventer and greaseproof paper is a correct preservation practice, not a cause of failure.

Why the other options are not the answer

  • A. Shaft misalignment causing uneven loading is a listed cause of failure.
  • C. Improper fitting that brinells the races is a listed cause of failure.
  • D. Poor, incorrect or old lubricant is a listed cause of failure.

Question ID KE-B01-C02-Q005 · Unit B-1: Lubrication and Bearings · Report an error

2. Which task is performed as a routine MONTHLY check on an air compression system?

  • A. Checking the lubricating oil and the coolant levels on every operating day
  • B. Draining and thoroughly cleaning each lubrication and coolant system on the unit
  • C. Analyzing oil samples taken from the lubricating oil and seal oil reservoirs
  • D. Listening carefully for any unusual noises from the machine during each shift
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C. Monthly checks include assessing the performance of all intercoolers, aftercoolers, and oil coolers; lubricating the linkage, pins, and slide bars of control valves and positioners; and analyzing oil samples from the lubricating and seal oil reservoirs. Listening for unusual noises each shift and checking the oil and coolant levels are daily checks, and draining/cleaning the lube and coolant systems is a major shutdown task.

Why the other options are not the answer

  • A. Checking oil and coolant levels is a daily check.
  • B. Draining and cleaning the lube and coolant systems is a major shutdown task, not a monthly check.
  • D. Listening for unusual noises is a daily (every-shift) check.

Question ID KE-B02-C04-Q031 · Unit B-2: Pumps and Compressors · Report an error

3. According to ASME PTC-25, which type of pressure relief valve is characterized by rapid opening and is normally used to relieve compressible fluids such as steam?

  • A. Safety relief valve
  • B. Relief valve
  • C. Safety valve
  • D. Temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C. ASME PTC-25 defines a safety valve as a valve with rapid opening normally used for compressible fluids like steam. A relief valve opens gradually for incompressible fluids, a safety relief valve does either, and a T&P valve adds temperature actuation.

Why the other options are not the answer

  • A. A safety relief valve can act either way depending on the service; the rapid-opening valve for steam is the safety valve.
  • B. A relief valve opens gradually and is used for incompressible fluids (liquids).
  • D. A T&P valve adds temperature actuation; it is not the PTC-25 definition of a rapid-opening steam valve.

Question ID KE-B03-C01-Q001 · Unit B-3: Boiler Safety Devices · Report an error

4. What is the concern if a high-low boiler is started from cold with the HI-LO-AUTO switch set to AUTO?

  • A. The boiler may jump to high-fire, causing uneven expansion and excessive stress
  • B. The burner may fail to light because the pilot is starved of air during the pilot trial for ignition
  • C. The modulating motor may stall between the high and low fire positions
  • D. The low water cut-off may trip before the burner establishes a flame
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A. A cold boiler's pressure is below the high-fire cut-in, so with the switch in AUTO it goes immediately to high-fire on start-up. The sudden heat input causes uneven thermal expansion and excessive stress, which is why a cold boiler should be warmed on low-fire first.

Why the other options are not the answer

  • B. Pilot ignition is not what the switch setting changes; the concern is the burner going straight to high fire.
  • C. A high-low burner moves between two fixed firing positions; a stalled modulating motor is not the hazard here.
  • D. The low water cut-off responds to water level, not to the HI-LO-AUTO switch position.

Question ID KE-B03-C05-Q009 · Unit B-3: Boiler Safety Devices · Report an error

5. During an accumulation test, a power boiler with an MAWP of 2415 kPa and a safety valve set at 2070 kPa stabilizes at 2200 kPa while the valve is fully discharging. Is the safety valve capacity adequate?

  • A. Yes; 2200 kPa is below 6% above the MAWP (about 2560 kPa)
  • B. No; any pressure above the 2070 kPa set point means inadequate capacity
  • C. Yes; 2200 kPa is still well below the MAWP of 2415 kPa
  • D. No; 2200 kPa exceeds 6% above the set pressure (about 2194 kPa)
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D. ASME I PG-67 allows the pressure to rise no more than 6% above the highest set pressure; 6% above 2070 kPa is about 2194 kPa, and the stabilized 2200 kPa exceeds it, so capacity is inadequate. Comparing only to the MAWP or to MAWP plus 6% is incorrect, and some accumulation above the set point is permitted, so claiming that any pressure above the 2070 kPa set point means inadequate capacity is also wrong.

Why the other options are not the answer

  • A. Using 6% above the MAWP (about 2560 kPa) applies the wrong reference pressure.
  • B. Some accumulation above the set point is permitted; the limit is 6% above the set pressure.
  • C. Accumulation is judged against the safety valve set pressure, not only the MAWP.

Question ID KE-B04-C06-Q017 · Unit B-4: Boiler Plant Operation and Management · Report an error

6. Which of the following would an inspector examine during the internal inspection of a boiler?

  • A. The accuracy of the boiler's pressure gauge
  • B. The set point and lift capacity of the safety valve
  • C. The flue gas temperature leaving the unit
  • D. The waterside metal for corrosion, pitting, and cracks
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D. The internal inspection examines the waterside and fireside metal for corrosion, pitting, and cracking. Gauge accuracy, flue gas temperature, and safety valve set point are checked during the external inspection conducted while the boiler is in service.

Why the other options are not the answer

  • A. Pressure gauge accuracy is checked during the external inspection while the boiler is in service.
  • B. Safety valve set point and capacity are checked during the external inspection.
  • C. Flue gas temperature is an operating reading checked with the boiler in service, not during an internal inspection.

Question ID KE-B05-C04-Q023 · Unit B-5: Energy Plant Maintenance · Report an error

Spotted a mistake? Every question has an ID; use its “Report an error” link and we will check it against the source and correct it. How we write and check questions: methodology.

4B by unit

4B exam by province

Each province below sets its 4B exam on the SOPEEC syllabus (100 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours, 65% to pass), so one practice bank covers the same objectives in every row. Question wording varies by regulator. You register and write through your provincial regulator; fees and rules change, so confirm with them before you book.

ProvinceRegulatorExam fees & notesLast verified
AlbertaABSA$113.10 per exam paper (4th Class = $226.20 for both), $37.75 annual certificate renewal: effective March 1, 2026.15 June 2026
British ColumbiaTechnical Safety BCExact 2026 exam fees unconfirmed: contact Technical Safety BC before registering.15 June 2026
OntarioTechnical Standards and Safety AuthorityApproximately $225–285 all-in per exam paper (TSSA fee + Prometric test-centre fee); fees rose 3.8% May 1, 2025.15 June 2026
SaskatchewanTechnical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan$95 per SOPEEC multiple-choice exam; $60/year licence ($220 for 5 years).15 June 2026
ManitobaInspection and Technical Services$60 per exam paper ($60 rewrite, $95 appeal), among the lowest exam fees in Canada.15 June 2026
New BrunswickTechnical Inspection Services$40 per exam (or rewrite); $50 licence renewal; $50 interprovincial interchange issuance.23 June 2026
Newfoundland and LabradorApprenticeship and Trades Certification DivisionFree: Budget 2025 eliminated all power engineering exam, rewrite, and certificate renewal fees.23 June 2026
Nova ScotiaTechnical Safety Division$39.80 per exam paper; $132.70 certificate + licence issuance; $66.35 annual licence renewal.23 June 2026
Northwest TerritoriesGNWT Department of Infrastructure$35 per exam paper for all classes; one-sitting fees by class: 5th $47, 4th $69, 3rd $140, 2nd $209, 1st $279, among the lowest exam fees in Canada.23 June 2026

British Columbia: Since March 1, 2023, Technical Safety BC's 3rd, 4th and 5th Class exams have each been 100 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours, 65% to pass. Technical Safety BC sets two 4th Class exams, 4A1 and 4B1, on the SOPEEC-approved syllabus it has adopted. SteamTicket is written to that public syllabus; the real exam's wording and topic weighting will differ from our practice questions.

Not listed? See the province directory.

Start with 20 free 4B questions

Run a real slice of the 4B bank, no account, no card. When you’re ready, it’s $79 once for the full 852-question bank, mock exams, and lifetime access.

Try 20 free questions Get 4B: $79

SteamTicket is practice questions and timed mock exams for testing yourself. It is not a study guide or a textbook summary, so pair it with the free NAIT, SAIT or BCIT textbooks.

4B practice exam: FAQ

Does this make me eligible to write 4B in Alberta?
No. SteamTicket is exam-prep practice, not an ABSA-accepted education program. Alberta generally requires an accepted 4th class course (or another path ABSA lists) before you can sit 4B. See Alberta 4th Class exam eligibility and confirm with ABSA.
Are these real 4B exam questions?
No, and that’s deliberate. Real exam questions are secured and copyrighted; reproducing them would be unethical and illegal. Every question is original, written objective-by-objective to the public ABSA/SOPEEC 4th Class Part B syllabus (AB-054), written to the same public objectives as the exam, without copying any secured exam or textbook.
How is 4B different from 4A?
The 4th Class certificate has two papers. Part B (4B) is the applied half, lubrication and bearings, pumps and compressors, boiler operation, water treatment, prime movers, refrigeration, and HVAC. Part A (4A) covers the fundamentals: mechanics, thermodynamics, governance, safety, materials, fluids, electrical, and controls. You write them as separate papers.
What’s on the 4B exam?
One paper of 100 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours, 65% to pass, four choices per question. It covers the twelve Part B units of the SOPEEC 4th Class syllabus, from lubrication and rotating equipment through boiler operation, water treatment, prime movers, plant auxiliary systems, refrigeration, and HVAC.
How many practice questions do I get?
852 original exam-style questions in the full 4B bank, each with a worked explanation, plus unlimited mock exams in the real 100-question format. You can also try 20 free, with no signup, before you buy.
Is it a subscription?
No. It’s $79 once for 4B, with lifetime access, including future updates to the bank. No monthly fees, and a 30-day, no-questions-asked refund if it isn’t right for you. Writing both papers? The 4th Class bundle covers 4A and 4B together for $99 once, also with lifetime access.
Used to study with PG Focus?
SteamTicket is an independent, original practice bank built for candidates preparing for the SOPEEC 4th Class exam, including those who previously relied on PG Focus. It is not a continuation of, or affiliated with, any other product, and is independent of PanGlobal. Every question is original and keyed to the public AB-054 syllabus.
Independent study tool. 4th Class certification and exam details provided as general information only, verify current requirements with your provincial regulator before applying. Not affiliated with or endorsed by SOPEEC, ABSA, Technical Safety BC, TSSA, or PanGlobal.