Final answer:
Keeping hourly readings allows engineers to analyze performance, troubleshoot problems, and provide evidence in legal matters. They can help engineers prove compliance with regulations, demonstrate safe operation, or defend against any legal claims.
Step-by-step explanation:
Keeping hourly readings of all pertinent steam plant data is important for several reasons: Data analysis: Hourly readings allow engineers to analyze the performance of the steam plant over time. They can track trends, identify potential issues or inefficiencies, and make informed decisions to improve the plant's performance. Troubleshooting: When problems occur, engineers can refer to the hourly readings to identify the cause of the issue.
By comparing current data with historical data, they can pinpoint any changes or anomalies and take appropriate actions to address the problem. Legal purposes: Accurate and detailed hourly readings can serve as evidence in lawsuits or regulatory matters. They can help engineers prove compliance with regulations, demonstrate safe operation, or defend against any legal claims.