Editor's note: Some ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code requirements may have changed because of advances in material technology and/or actual experience. The reader is cautioned to refer to the latest edition of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for current requirements.

PressureRelief Valve

Thermostatic mixingvalve

Water heaters are everywhere: in residences, churches, hotels, banks, schools, garages, etc. These water heaters are usually located out of sight, and therefore out of mind. Unfortunately, they won't attract any attention unless there is a lack of hot water.

Watts 0158779 - 40XL-8-150-CAN-3/4 - 3/4" Automatic Reseating Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve 150 PSI, 210 F, Test Lever, 8" Long Thermostat.

Water heater pressurerelief valvefailure symptoms

Check the valve nameplate, ensure the pressure relief setting does not exceed the maximum allowable working pressure of the tank, and be sure that the A.G.A. rating is in excess of the Btu input of the heater.

These water heaters provide many years of trouble-free operation and because of this, cause complacency on the part of the owner/maintainer.

The valve should also be inspected for proper installation. The valve probe must be immersed in tank water and be located in the top six inches of the tank in order for it to accurately sense tank water temperature. Improper installation, such as that shown below, could render the valve ineffective because it cannot sense actual tank water temperature.

Manufacturers recommend that valves that have been in service more than three years be removed and visually inspected for accumulations of corrosion deposits, such as those shown in the photographs.

Tpvalve

In the event of a control failure which may cause a runaway firing condition, the only safety device which will prevent a catastrophic failure of the hot water vessel is the T&P relief valve.

Watts 0158779 - 40XL-8-150-CAN 3/4" bronze automatic reseating temperature and pressure relief valve with an 8 inch thermostat is installed directly in tank tappings and is used in commercial applications to provide automatic temperature and pressure protection for hot water supply tanks and hot water heaters. It features a bronze body with NPT male inlet and NPT female outlet connections, thermo-bonded coated thermostat, tamper resistant bonnet screws, automatic reseating feature, and test lever. The temperature relief is 210 degrees F (99 degrees C) and the pressure relief is 150 psi.

Water heaterrelief valvedripping

Summary: The following article is a part of National Board Classic Series and it was published in the National Board BULLETIN. (3 printed pages)

Valve piping must also be inspected to ensure the outlet of the valve has not been reduced, and is pitched down for free draining with no shut-off valves or other obstructions in the valve drain pipe.

Hot water tank pressurerelief valve

In addition, it is recommended that a log be maintained near the water heater to provide a record of inspection dates and the results of the inspections.

The thermal probe should be inspected for corrosion and scale accumulations which will insulate the valve and probe from the hot water, and also for any illegal alterations, repairs or tampering. Leaking T&P relief valves must be replaced.

Because of this complacency, catastrophic failures have resulted in extensive property damage, injuries and death. Countless other undocumented failures have resulted in near misses, which could have also resulted in property damage and human suffering.

Also, the nameplate should be checked for the ASME "HV" symbol and the National Board "NB" mark to ensure the valves have been capacity certified by the National Board and are in compliance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

Since the T&P relief valve is constructed to relieve on either pressure or temperature, manually testing the valve with the test lever only tests the mechanical freedom of movement of the valve and ensures the waterways are clear.

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The most neglected safety device on fired pressure vessels is the Temperature and Pressure (T&P) relief valve on water heaters.