What should a safety valve never be used for?

A safety valve should never be used for venting a boiler because its primary function is to act as a pressure relief device. The purpose of a safety valve is to automatically open when the pressure in a boiler exceeds its safe limit, allowing steam or gas to escape and thereby preventing over-pressurization that could lead to equipment failure or explosions. Using a safety valve for venting a boiler could compromise its effectiveness in performing this critical role, as it may not be designed to manage continuous venting. Instead, a separate venting system should be employed for that purpose to ensure safety and operational integrity.

Controlling pressure is the role of control valves, which are specifically designed for that task. Preventing boiler leaks relates to the integrity of seals and connections within the boiler, not the function of a safety valve. Monitoring temperature requires dedicated sensors such as thermocouples or temperature gauges, which have no relation to the operation of safety valves. Each of these functions relies on specifically designed equipment to ensure safe operation, separate from the safety valve's critical function.