What is the requirement for safety valves in a boiler with more than 500 sq ft of heating surface?

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For boilers with more than 500 square feet of heating surface, the requirement for safety valves is governed by the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) code, which mandates that at least two safety valves must be installed on such boilers. This requirement ensures that there is redundancy and additional safety measures in place to prevent overpressure situations.

Having two safety valves provides a fail-safe mechanism; if one safety valve fails to operate correctly, the other can still function to relieve pressure and maintain safe operating conditions. The capacity and reliability of these valves are critical, especially in larger boilers where the risk of overpressure is heightened due to the larger volume of steam produced.

In smaller applications or systems with limited heating surface area, it might be adequate to use a single safety valve. However, for boilers exceeding the threshold of 500 square feet, the additional safety valve becomes essential to comply with the safe engineering practices outlined in the ASME code. Thus, requiring at least two safety valves enhances operational safety and protects both equipment and personnel.

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