If a boiler has a bursting pressure of 1200 PSI and a MAWP of 200 PSI, what is the Factor of Safety?

To determine the Factor of Safety, you can use the formula:

Factor of Safety = Bursting Pressure / Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP).

In this case, the bursting pressure of the boiler is 1200 PSI, and the MAWP is 200 PSI. Plugging these values into the formula gives:

Factor of Safety = 1200 PSI / 200 PSI = 6.

Thus, the correct answer is 6. The Factor of Safety is a critical calculation in engineering as it ensures that a system can handle unexpected loads or conditions beyond the normal working parameters, aiming to provide a margin of safety to prevent catastrophic failures. It reflects how much stronger the system is than it needs to be for its intended use, and a Factor of Safety of 6 indicates a robust design that can endure significant stress while operating within safe limits.