Guide To Boiler Pressure Relief Valve Inspection And Testing
A boiler pressure relief valve is installed on modern heating boilers with the purpose of relieving any pressure should it rise to a level that is unsafe for operation. Today’s hot water heaters feature several controls, like the boiler pressure valve, that are specifically designed to increase the safety offered by the devices. Because of this, one will very rarely hear about a boiler explosion which damages property or even worse human life. Unfortunately this was not the case back when these safety devices were not widely in use. However, problems can still occur should they be installed poorly, not properly maintained, or become damaged.
Probably the most common safety problem that can occur in your heating system is for a boiler pressure relief valve to become defective. While this will probably not cause your boiler to explode, it can still cause other problems such as a rise in temperature or pressure that could very well lead to such a dangerous situation.
A boiler pressure valve can be installed in various locations within your system, such as at the top of the heater, on the side, or even on the piping, although the last option is probably the less desirable of the three. The problem with having them installed on nearby piping is that it may only sense the pressure and not the temperature which is an equally important factor. An easy way to tell if your boiler pressure relief valve may malfunction is if it has been leaking. Look for signs of water damage surrounding the piece.
Another way that you can tell if your boiler pressure valve is at risk of malfunctioning is to check the data tag which should be attached to the unit. This tag provides you with essential information regarding the piece and can help you determine whether or not the proper safety device has indeed been installed. The tag will typically be made of metal in order to help it last.
Important information it will carry includes the maximum temperature and pressure that the valve will be able to withstand. To make sure the right equipment has been installed, match the capacity requirements to those on your boiler. If yours do not match up, be certain to have the boiler pressure relief valve replaced; it is a very inexpensive repair to make and can substantially improve the safety of your machine.
Probably the most common problem that will occur with a boiler pressure valve is that it is not set to discharge in a location that is safe. It should be set somewhere that is at least a few inches away from the floor, and the end should always be someplace that can easily be seen. The hot water that comes from the machine can scald someone who is standing too close nearby.
