Blowoff Valves

Test the freedom of each blowoff valve and its connections by opening the valve and blowing off the boiler for a few seconds. Determine if the valve is excessively worn or otherwise defective, and if there is evidence of restrictions in the valve or connected piping preventing proper blowoff of the boiler.

Stop and Check Valves

While the boiler is operating, inspect the operating condition of each stop and check valve where possible. Serious defects of externally controlled stop valves may be detected by operating the valve when it is under pressure. Similarly, defects in check valves maybe detected by listening to the operation of the valve or observing any excessive vibration of the valve as it operates under pressure.

Pressure-Reducing Valves

While there is pressure on the system, open and then close the bypass valve as safety and operating conditions permit. Also, observe the fluctuation of the pressure gauge pointer as an aid in determining possible defects in the operation of the pressure-reducing valve or the pressure gauge. Look for any evidence that may indicate improper condition of the relief or safety valves provided for the pressure-reducing valves.

Boiler Safety and Water-Pressure Relief Valves

Test the blowoff setting of each safety valve for steam boilers and each water-pressure relief valve for hot-water boilers by raising the boiler pressure slowly to the blowoff point. In turn, test the releasing pressure of each valve, gagging all other safety or relief valves except the one being tested. Observe the operation of each valve as blowoff pressure is reached. Compare the blowoff setting with setting requirements specified in paragraph 1 or 2 of this section, as applicable, and make adjustments where necessary. When the steam discharge capacity of a safety valve is questionable, it should be tested by one of the methods given in paragraph 3 of this section. When the pressure-relieving capacity of a pressure-relief valve is questionable, it should be tested according to the procedures given in paragraph 4 of this section.

1. SAFETY VALVES - SETTING REQUIREMENTS. Note this word of caution: Before adjusting safety valves on electric steam generators, be sure that the electric power circuit to the generator is open. The generator may be under steam pressure, but the power line should be open while the necessary adjustments are being made. At least one safety valve should be set to release at no more than the maximum allowable working pressure of the steam boiler. Safety valves are factory set and sealed. When a safety valve requires adjustment, the seal should be broken, adjustments made, and the valve resealed by qualified personnel only. When more than one safety valve is provided, the remaining valve or valves may be set within a range of 3% above the maximum allowable working pressure. However, the range of the setting of all the safety valves on the boiler should not exceed 10% of the highest pressure to which any valve is set. Each safety valve should reseat tightly with a blowdown of not more than 2 psig or 4% of the valve setting, whichever is greater.

In those cases where the boiler is supplied with feedwater directly from the pressure main without the use of feeding apparatus (not including return traps), no safety valve should be set at a pressure greater than 94% of the lowest pressure obtained in the supply main feeding the boiler.

2. PRESSURE-RELIEF VALVE - SETTING REQUIREMENTS. At least one pressure- relief valve should be set to release at not more than the maximum allowable working pressure of the hot-water boiler. When more than one relief valve is provided on either hot-water heating or hot-water supply boilers, the additional valve (or valves) may be set within a range not to exceed 20% of the lowest pressure to which any valve is set. Each pressure-relief valve should reseat tightly with a blowdown of not more than 25% of the valve setting.

3. SAFETY VALVE& - CAPACITY TEST. When the relieving capacity of any safety valve for steam boilers is questioned, it may be tested by one of the three following methods:

a. By the accumulation test, which consists of shutting off all other steam-discharge outlets from the boiler and forcing the fires to the maximum. The safety valve capacity should be sufficient to prevent a pressure in excess of 6% above the maximum allowable working pressure.