Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) Practice Test

The function of a safety relief valve is to release excess pressure and prevent overpressure. This crucial component is designed to protect pressurized systems, such as boilers and pressure vessels, from becoming dangerously over-pressurized, which can lead to equipment failure or catastrophic explosions. When the system pressure exceeds a predetermined level, the safety relief valve opens to allow some of the pressure to escape. This process not only safeguards the integrity of the equipment but also ensures the safety of personnel working nearby.

In contrast, enhancing energy efficiency pertains to optimizing system performance to reduce energy consumption, which is not a function of a safety relief valve. Monitoring temperature variations involves tracking thermal conditions within systems and does not involve pressure release. Regulating fuel supply focuses on controlling the amount of fuel entering a combustion system, which is unrelated to pressure management. Therefore, the role of a safety relief valve is specifically centered on pressure regulation to maintain system safety.