🔍 Key Concepts

• Safe maintenance practices for steam-driven reciprocating pumps • Purpose and normal method of removing packing around a piston or rod • Why introducing live steam/pressure during maintenance can be hazardous

💭 Think About

• Which option describes a method that allows controlled, mechanical removal of packing without exposing you to live steam or damaging internal parts? • Which choices would clearly violate basic lockout/tagout or ‘no pressure on the system during maintenance’ principles? • Does this type of pump normally use soft packing that must be extracted, or sealed O-rings that are simply unseated and replaced?

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm that the pump should be secured and depressurized before any work on packing is done • Eliminate any option that requires opening under pressure or using steam force to eject parts • Ask: which tool is specifically designed for extracting packing rings from around a shaft or rod?