Plant Operation Practice Test

Safety valves are designed to do what?

1. Contain pressure

2. Close tightly

3. Pop open

4. Regulate flow

The correct answer is: Pop open

Safety valves are crucial components designed to protect systems from excessive pressure. They are specifically engineered to "pop open" at predetermined pressure levels to release excess pressure, preventing potential ruptures or explosions in systems such as boilers, pressure vessels, or piping. Once the pressure drops back to a safe level, these valves are intended to close automatically, ensuring the system can regain its normal operating conditions. Other options do not accurately describe the primary function of safety valves. While containing pressure is an essential role of the entire system they are part of, safety valves specifically provide a means to relieve pressure, rather than holding it. The function of closing tightly is not their primary design objective, as it is important for them to open and close appropriately under specific conditions. Regulating flow is also not their main purpose; rather, they react to pressure levels rather than actively manage flow rates.