What kind of maintenance should be performed on a boiler’s safety valves?

Regular testing and servicing of a boiler's safety valves is crucial for ensuring the safe and effective operation of the boiler system. Safety valves are designed to relieve excess pressure to prevent explosions and other dangerous situations, making their proper functioning vital for workplace safety.

Testing brings to light any potential issues with the valves, such as sticking or leaks that could compromise their function. Servicing may include cleaning, lubricating, and adjusting the valves to ensure they operate correctly. This proactive maintenance approach helps in extending the life of the safety valves and guarantees compliance with safety regulations.

While cleaning valves once a year is a part of maintenance, it is not sufficient on its own, as it does not ensure that the valves will perform correctly under pressure conditions. Routine monitoring only may not catch all the potential failures that could occur over time, and replacing the valves monthly would be excessive and not cost-effective. Thus, regular testing and servicing stands out as the best practice for maintaining safety valves in a boiler system.