What should be done if a boiler reaches dangerously high pressure?

The correct response in this situation is to initiate emergency shutdown procedures. When a boiler reaches dangerously high pressure, it poses a significant safety risk, including the potential for explosions or other catastrophic failures. Following established emergency procedures is crucial to safely and effectively mitigate the danger. These procedures typically include steps to gradually reduce pressure and temperature in a controlled manner, ensuring that personnel remain safe and that damage to the equipment is minimized.

Opening a nearby vent could lead to further complications, such as introducing additional air and possibly igniting flammable materials, depending on the boiler's operation environment. Increasing heat output would exacerbate the situation, raising pressure even higher instead of reducing it, while rapidly cooling the boiler with water could result in thermal shock, leading to structural damage. Each of these actions would not align with best practices for boiler safety management in high-pressure situations.