Safety discharge valve for a heating boiler

For comfort and peace of mind, you should make sure that your home’s heating system is safe and effective. One important part of this is the safety discharge valve for a heating boiler, an often-overlooked device that helps keep your property safe from potential hazards and prevent catastrophic failures.

Consider your heating boiler as the central component that distributes warmth throughout your house. It needs protection mechanisms to function safely and dependably, just like any other vital organ. The safety discharge valve, which is intended to release excess pressure that may accumulate within the boiler system, acts as an essential safety precaution.

The pressure inside the boiler can rise to dangerous levels in the absence of a working safety discharge valve, potentially resulting in explosions or other dangerous situations. In addition to posing serious risks to the occupants, such situations may cause extensive property damage that necessitates expensive repairs and interferes with day-to-day activities.

It is essential to comprehend how the safety discharge valve works in order to recognize how important it is. Usually, this valve is programmed to open automatically when the boiler’s internal pressure rises above acceptable limits. It averts possible catastrophes by releasing excess pressure, which keeps the system from becoming overpressurized.

To guarantee the safety discharge valve is operating properly, routine maintenance and inspection are necessary. The efficacy of valves may be compromised with wear and corrosion over time. Thus, it is essential to arrange for regular inspections by trained experts in order to spot any problems early and take immediate action.

The purpose of the safety valve in the heating system

The pressure acting on the system walls rises as the coolant temperature in the water circuit of the heating system rises. When the water starts to boil and release steam, the temperature between 90 and 95 degrees Celsius is particularly important. The system’s pressure builds up exponentially. The heat exchangers in the boilers, which can withstand pressure of up to 3 bar in modern models and 2 bar to 2 bar in older ones, are the most vulnerable part of the system if the pipes and radiators are modern and typically designed for a pressure of 6-9 bar or more.

As a result, there may be a heat exchanger leak as well as a short circuit and a significant flood brought on by the coolant leaking in large quantities.

The safety valve prevents pressure inside the water circuit from reaching critical values by automatically producing coolant or steam, which frees up space in the system for expansion brought on by heating. Additionally, the valve shuts off automatically when the pressure is restored. When a pressure gauge and an automatic air vent are installed alongside the valve that crashes into the pipeline close to the boiler, the combination is referred to as a security group.

If the most recent models of gas and electric boilers can prevent overheating by turning off the burners promptly due to advanced automation, then installing a safety valve is a must for solid fuel boilers. A solid fuel boiler’s heat exchanger retains heat even after the damper is closed. This process takes some time. Serious overheating could happen as a result of the heat generator’s inertia.

Additionally, steam boilers—which are typically used for industrial purposes—must have this discharge valve. On the other hand, we advise cutting the safety valve and installing it as part of the security group in a heating system with any type of boiler, including gas.

Please be aware that installing two safety valves—a working and a control—on each boiler is advised for large heating systems (such as those intended for homes larger than 500–600 square meters).

Device and principle of operation depending on the type

Lever-carbon

Only industrial systems with large loads and pipeline diameters greater than 200 mm use lever safety valves.

Pressing down on the stem, the cargo is suspended from the lever. The rod opens, releasing the coolant or steam, if the force is greater than the system pressure on the one hand and the force of the load on the other. When the system’s internal pressure power drops below a certain point, the rod bearing the weight of the load on the lever overlaps the system.

The critical pressure, at which a discharge is required, is thus set using a long lever and weight on it.

Spring

Modern and less expensive is the spring safety valve. It is widely used in individual heating systems of private homes since it is dependable, has compact dimensions, and is not less efficient than lever-loading.

The spring dumping valve operates on the same principle, but it acts on springs rather than cargo.

• On the inside of the device, the stream of water or steam is pressure on the shutter;
• On the other hand, the spool pressed with a rod on which the spring affects;
• The pressure in the system exceeds the clamping power of the spring, the spool rod rises up, depressurization occurs;
• the coolant or steam goes through the exhaust pipe;
• The pressure inside the system decreases and becomes below the pressing force of the spring, which again blocks the shutter, returning the mechanism to its original position.

Both have adjustable valves with a critical pressure for discharge that is set during installation, and are made for specific pressures (such as 3, 6, or 8 bar). They could be closed or open as well. The former discharge steam or water into the outside world and the latter, through closed valves, into the pipeline that connects to them.

Thermal discharge valves

Additionally flawed are spring safety valves. Apart from their exclusive operation in closed systems (i.e., boiling of the coolant in a system with an open expansion tank can happen without a rise in pressure), spring mechanisms also activate when the coolant temperature reaches a critical threshold, which is typically greater than 95 to 100 °C.

The heat discharge valve, which reacts to an increase in coolant temperature rather than system pressure, is the most efficient but also the most costly. The same membrane that the spring controls is the basis for operation, but instead of being driven by water flow pressure, it is driven by a heat-sensitive liquid that expands significantly when heated by the coolant.

Criteria for choosing a safety drop valve

The mechanism of pressing

Light-loading safety valves are used in industrial heating systems because they are made to withstand heavy loads and pipes with a minimum diameter of 200 mm.

Purchasing a device with a spring mechanism is preferable for individual heating in a private residence. This type of dumping valve is standard, dependable, and frequently used.

We advise you to buy a more efficient heat discharge valve if your budget is not restricted. This will stop the issue before there is a significant rise in the pressure inside the heating system.

Lifting height

The shutter lift heights of dressing valves vary:

1. Small lifting. The shutter height in low -lifting valves does not exceed 1/20 diameter of the saddle. Have relatively low throughput and simple design. Used in highways with liquid coolant. As a rule, low-lifting safety reinforcement is enough for a heating system with a water circuit up to 40-43 kW. To prevent an accident in such systems, it is necessary to reset the small volume of the coolant.
2. Complete. The height of the shutter in complete valves is greater or equal to the diameter of the saddle. As a rule, these are lever-loading mechanisms, more expensive and complex in design. Full lifting valves have high throughput, can be installed on highways in which gases, steam or compressed air circulate.

The speed of the mechanism

Safety valves are separated into two categories based on how quickly they operate: proportional and two-position.

Again, proportional valves are sufficient for most systems, so it is preferable to use them in private homes’ heating systems. These devices have a shutter cover that gradually opens in proportion to the pressure increase in the roadway, which increases the volume of coolant discharged in that same proportion. These valves are less expensive, support the proper pressure level, and don’t have autocolnia.

Instant undermining and complete valve opening are characteristics of two-position safety valves. A mechanism like this makes it possible to quickly reset large volumes of coolant, but it also increases the risk of a hydraulic boom because it rapidly discharges a large amount of liquid coolant, which lowers the pressure in the highway and causes the valve to abruptly close. As a result, it is advised that two-position safety valves be installed on highways where there is compressed air, gas, or steam.

Diameter

The heating system’s safety valve for pressure discharge must have a diameter equal to or greater than the supply pipe connector. Otherwise, the mechanism’s ability to function will be hampered by continuous hydraulic pressure.

Manufacturer

Given the relatively simple design of safety valves and the fact that most contemporary models are constructed from brass using identical technology, there aren’t many significant differences between the reinforcement offered by different manufacturers.

Better processing, checking and testing of devices, and a guarantee of a long service life without leaks—from 15 years—are some of the differences between some. First and foremost, we can suggest the following manufacturers for safety valves: Protherm, Watts, and Valtec.

In any home, ensuring the safety of the heating system is paramount, and a key component of this is the discharge valve for the heating boiler. This valve serves as a crucial safety mechanism, designed to release excess pressure that can build up within the boiler. By doing so, it prevents the boiler from potentially exploding or causing other serious damage. The discharge valve works by automatically opening when the pressure exceeds a certain threshold, allowing steam or water to escape harmlessly. Regular maintenance and inspection of this valve are essential to ensure it functions properly when needed, providing homeowners with peace of mind knowing that their heating system is equipped with a reliable safety measure.

Installation of the device in the system

Certain boilers, typically wall-mounted models, come with an emergency support built in by the manufacturer. In the event that it is absent, the safety valve collides with the boiler supply line in accordance with each of the following specifications:

• location on the supply pipeline-200-300 mm from the boiler;
• In systems with natural circulation, emergency reinforcement is installed at the very top point;
• The thread of the reinforcement for tightness is important to compact Pacley or silicone (but not a fum tone that is not able to withstand temperatures over 70-80 degrees without deformation);
• The valve itself must be located vertically (with a plastic handle up) so that the air gap is preserved under the spool, with this installation the mechanism has the highest service life;
• Before the valve, it is advisable to install a pressure gauge (if it is not part of the security group);
• On the highway between the heat exchanger of the boiler and the reset reinforcement should not be reverse valves, valves or cranes;
• So that when the valve is undermined, the coolant does not drip to the floor, it is necessary to put a drain pipe on the valve leading to the sewer or return;
• When diverted to the sewer, it is important to perform a connection involving a jet break (for example, through a funnel and a water supply). So, the system will work even when clogging the drainage pipeline, save the boiler room of the boiler room from the smells of the coolant.

Additionally, it is advised that you install scanty cranes following the subversive valve. The problem is that the valve spring frequently malfunctions after 5 to 8 triggers, necessitating the replacement of the mechanism (the reinforcement has little effect). Nevertheless, the only way to replace the valve is to lower the coolant and bring the system’s pressure down to atmospheric levels. The aforementioned screening cranes will benefit from coolant coming solely from the boiler and not from the entire system.

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Adjustment of the mechanism for proper operation

After the installation is finished and the system has been thoroughly cleaned, the safety valve is adjusted. The control hilt, a colored plastic cap, can be rotated to adjust spring devices. This rotation compresses or unclenches a spring that applies pressure to the spool. This is accomplished in lever loads by hanging the cargo on the lever.

Setting the pressure, full opening, and closing requirements is essential:

1. The settings pressure should be set slightly higher than the maximum operating pressure of the boiler unit.
2. The pressure of the full opening should not exceed the maximum permissible norms of the most vulnerable element of the system, usually the heat exchanger of the boiler, designed for 3 or 2 bar, and in some Russian models, is at all by 1.5 bar.
3. The valve closing pressure must be set slightly higher than the minimum acceptable system for operation.

It is advised to verify the emergency reinforcement’s suitability at least once every six months.

What to do if water drips through the reset valve

Whether water is flowing in a stream or dripping from the safety valve determines the nature of the issue.

If the coolant is dripping, the emergency reinforcement is functioning normally. However, the heating system is operating at maximum capacity because of the elevated coolant temperature and pressure. Verify that the mechanism’s natural drops are straightforward enough to allow the coolant to cool by lowering the operating temperature. Everything will be in order if the water drain stops; additional overheating prevention is the only thing left to do.

A broken spring, a worn-out rubber or silicone seal, or a clogged fitting that resulted in a loose fitting are all signs of a malfunctioning safety valve if the drops have not stopped or if the coolant is being poured in large quantities, like a stream. Disassembling the mechanism on your own is not advised in this situation; replacing the reset valve is required (the issue costs 400–900 rubles).

For the sake of your family’s safety as well as the safety of your house, it is imperative that your heating boiler system be safe. One of the most important parts that makes this safety possible is the discharge valve. By releasing excess pressure, this valve serves as a safety measure, averting possible dangers like explosions or boiler damage.

Recognizing the discharge valve’s function in preserving the boiler’s ideal pressure levels is necessary to appreciate its significance. A boiler’s operating pressure may increase for a number of reasons, including blockages or overheating. This pressure could rise to dangerous levels in the absence of a properly operating discharge valve, putting the household and the entire heating system at serious risk.

Purchasing a high-quality discharge valve is a proactive measure to protect your house. A dependable discharge valve is essential whether you’re installing a new heating system or updating an old one. Seek out valves that are approved by experts in the field and that adhere to industry standards. In the end, putting safety above money can protect you from possible harm and guarantee peace of mind.

Ensuring the efficacy of the discharge valve requires routine maintenance and inspection. Vent valves are susceptible to malfunctions or wear and tear over time, which can impair proper operation. Your heating system’s lifespan can be increased and unanticipated emergencies can be avoided by putting in place a regular maintenance schedule and taking quick action when problems arise.

To sum up, the discharge valve is essential to the effectiveness and safety of your heating boiler. You can reduce risks and have dependable heating for many years to come by being aware of how it works, making quality investments, and making sure it is maintained on a regular basis. Setting safety precautions as a top priority helps to keep you and your family safe and comfortable in addition to safeguarding your property.