What should you do if you come into a boiler room and find no water in the boiler?

If you find no water in the boiler when you enter the boiler room, the best course of action is to shut off the burner and allow the boiler to cool. This is crucial because operating a boiler without water can lead to severe issues, including overheating and potential damage to the boiler itself. Boilers rely on water to absorb heat; without it, components can reach dangerously high temperatures, leading to a risk of explosion or structural failure.

Shutting off the burner prevents further heat generation, allowing the boiler to cool down safely. After the temperature stabilizes, you can then inspect the situation more thoroughly, determine the cause of the low-water condition, and take corrective action, such as assessing the water level and looking for leaks.

In terms of the other options, immediately adding water to a hot boiler might cause thermal shock, leading to damage from rapid temperature changes. Turning on the burner when there is no water can lead to catastrophic failure. Checking for leaks in the water supply is essential too, but it should follow the immediate step of shutting off the burner to ensure safety first.