Importance of Pressure relief

  1. In a reactive situation where something has already gone wrong, pressure relief systems can be used to reduce the consequences of the incident.
  2. These systems are designed to prevent harm to people from chemicals and equipment that may disintegrate, create a pressure wave, or produce shrapnel.
  3. They also help to prevent harm to the environment from the loss of chemicals and prevent expensive equipment damage.
  4. The use of pressure relief systems may be regulated by legislation and local and national regulations

Although correctly designed and installed originally, relief system has either not worked or actually caused hazards and incidents due to

➥ Poor Management of Change (MOC)

➥ Poor Inspection or Maintenance

➥ Lack of Awareness

OSHA has submitted Pressure Equipment summary in USA in 1999 as follows, About 40 % had at least one deficiency

Identified Causes were :

  1. PHA studies were performed but did not adequately identify relief situations
  2. Reliance on equipment supplier
  3. Poor documentation and use of data sheets 
  • Pressure Relief System is like a life jacket or an Air bag – hopefully never needed but must be in constant state of readiness 
  • Properly Sized but relief at Unsafe Location
  • Properly designed, installed , relief location is safe but isolation valve at inlet / outlet is closed
Scroll to Top