Red Seal Gasfitter — Class B Practice Exam

What is an air intake for a gas appliance?

1. A passage that allows outside air to enter for combustion

2. A device that filters air before combustion

3. A safety feature that monitors gas levels

4. A component used for venting exhaust gases

The correct answer is: A passage that allows outside air to enter for combustion

An air intake for a gas appliance serves as an essential component that allows outside air to enter the combustion chamber where the gas is being burned. This influx of fresh air is crucial for proper combustion, ensuring that the gas appliance operates efficiently and safely. Adequate air supply prevents incomplete combustion, which can lead to the production of harmful by-products like carbon monoxide. In many gas appliances, especially those that are sealed or high-efficiency systems, the air intake is designed to draw in the necessary oxygen required for burning the gas efficiently. This design not only facilitates better combustion but also helps in maintaining safe operating conditions by providing a consistent supply of air necessary for the appliance to function correctly. The other choices, while they describe important aspects related to gas appliances, do not accurately define the role of an air intake. Filtering air is a separate process that enhances air quality before combustion, monitoring gas levels pertains to safety features that prevent gas leaks, and venting exhaust gases refers to the system's mechanism for channeling combustion by-products outside the living space. Each of these functions is vital, but they operate independently of the primary function of an air intake, which is to facilitate the entry of combustion air.