Safety Valve

A safety valve is a pressure relief vavle actuated by inlet static pressure and characterized by rapid
opening or pop action. (It is normally used for steam and air services)

Relief Valve

A relief valve is a pressure relief device actuated by inlet static pressure having a gradual lift generally
proportional to the increase in pressure over opening pressure. It may be provided with an enclosure
spring housing suitable for closed discharge system application and is primarily used for liquid service.

Safety Relief Valve (Interesting!)

A safety relief valve is a pressure relief valve characterized by rapid opening or pop action, or by
opening in proportion to the increase in pressure over the opening pressure, depending on the
application and may be used either for liquid or compressible fluid.

a Relief valve is an operational valve that is designed to open/close at lower pressure/vaccume, a

Safety valve is to protect the equipment in exceptional circumstance.
In a Relief Valve (RV) on Liquid Service, Lift (Travel of the Disc away from the Seat)is generally
proportional to Overpressure.

In a Safety Valve (SV)on Steam, Air or Gas, the Lift is typically 60 to 70% of Full Lift at initial
opening. Further lift is gradual up to the maximum overpressure.

In a Safety-Relief Valve (SRV), the Valve will act like a Relief Valve on Liquid or a Safety Valve on
Steam/Air/Gas.

One of the problems with using the terms interchangeably is the DIfference in Adjustment Ring
Settings. Failure to recognize the differences between RV, SV & SRV is what separates a Mantenance
Mechanic from a PRV Technician.