New York Low Pressure Boiler COF Practice

Where does a low pressure safety and relief valve typically discharge to?

1. A storage tank

2. A drain

3. The atmosphere

4. Back into the boiler

The correct answer is: A drain

A low pressure safety and relief valve typically discharges to the atmosphere. The primary function of this type of valve is to protect the boiler from excessive pressure by releasing steam or water when the pressure exceeds a predetermined limit. Discharging to the atmosphere allows for a safe and effective release of the excess pressure without risking further system contamination or damage. In various applications, it is crucial for safety and operational integrity that the discharge does not lead back into the boiler or a closed system, as this could create an unsafe situation by reintroducing the pressure into the very system the valve is attempting to protect. While a drain might seem like a plausible option for discharging relief from a system, it is not standard practice for a safety valve discharging under excess pressure conditions. The design to release directly to the atmosphere is a critical aspect of maintaining safe boiler operations.