SECTION 4:1 SAFETY VALVES AND RELIEF VALVES

Safety valve A valve which automatically discharges fluid to prevent a pre-determined safe pressure
being exceeded. It is generally used for compressible fluids such as steam and other gases
which demand quick over-pressure relief.

TYPES OF SAFETY VALVE

Ordinary safety A valve in which the disk lifts automatically at least D/24, where 24 = bore of valve seat.
valve The valves may be:
a. Direct spring In which the load is applied directly to the disk by a spring.
loaded
b. Lever and In which the load is applied to the disk by a weight acting through a lever and fulcrum.
weight loaded

High lift safety A safety valve in which the disk lifts automatically at least D/12,
valve where D = bore of valve seat.

Full lift safety A safety valve in which the disk lifts automatically a distance giving, when the disk is fully
valve lifted, a discharge area round the edge of the valve seat equal to the area through the seat
orifice after deducting the area of guides or other obstructions.

SECTION 4:2 RELIEF VALVES

Relief valve A valve which automatically discharges fluid to relieve pressure. It is generally related to pipeline
applications and non-compressible fluids-liquids such as water, oil, etc. Immediate full-flow discharge is not
needed since a small flow reduces the pressure.

Note:
Since the basic parts of relief valves are the same as those of ordinary safety valves, separate definitions are not
necessary. Reference should therefore be made to Section 4:1.

REGULATIONS
The regulations issued by most countries demand that safety valves be installed on all pressure vessels to
ensure that their maximum design pressure is not exceeded. These regulations vary considerably but for
example on boiler applications they all state that the safety valve or valves must be able to pass the evaporative
capacity of the boiler with a minimum rise in pressure. The permitted rise in pressure varies and is dependent
upon the regulations concerned.

DEFINITIONS
Maximum design pressure is the highest working pressure at which a vessel may be operated. Working pressure
is the pressure at which a vessel is normally operated.
Set pressure is the pressure at which the disk of a safety valve or relief valve starts to discharge flow.
Accumulated pressure is the pressure above set pressure at which the disk has reached its full lift for maximum
discharge of flow. Accumulation is the difference between set and accumulated pressures. Normally understood
as % of set pressure.
Reseating pressure is the pressure at which the disk shuts off the flow.
Blow down is the difference between set and re-seating pressures. Normally understood as % of set pressure.

RELATIONS BETWEEN DEFINITIONS