Minnesota Boiler License Practice Exam

Would a safety relief valve installed on a hot water boiler relieve all the pressure if the boiler had low water and the water was flashing into steam?

1. Yes

2. Yes because of the A.S.M.E. code

3. No, because such a valve may be sized to handle liquids only

4. It depends on the approval from ASME

The correct answer is: Yes because of the A.S.M.E. code

The assertion that a safety relief valve installed on a hot water boiler would relieve all the pressure in the event of low water and water flashing into steam is grounded in the principles of safety and regulation set forth by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code. The ASME code mandates that safety relief valves must be designed to handle the conditions in which they are employed. In the case of a hot water boiler with low water levels, the potential for water to turn into steam generates increased pressure. A safety relief valve, as per ASME guidelines, is intended to automatically relieve excess pressure to prevent an explosion or failure of the boiler. Thus, under these critical conditions, the valve would release steam and reduce pressure accordingly, acting as a safety mechanism. Furthermore, the proper sizing of the valve and its capacity to handle both liquid and steam is also covered under ASME standards to ensure effective operation in such scenarios. This demonstrates the importance of ASME in establishing safety measures that directly influence the effectiveness of safety relief valves in preventing hazardous situations in boilers.