What is the correct type of safety valve for a hot water boiler?

The correct type of safety valve for a hot water boiler is a pressure relief valve. This type of valve is specifically designed to protect the boiler from overpressure situations. In the event that the pressure within the boiler exceeds a predetermined level, the pressure relief valve opens automatically to allow steam or water to escape, thereby reducing the pressure within the system and preventing potential damage or catastrophic failure.

Pressure relief valves are essential in boiler applications because they help maintain safe operating conditions. They are usually calibrated to a specific pressure setting, and when the internal pressure of the boiler reaches this level, the valve activates, ensuring that the system operates safely within the designed parameters.

Other options, such as thermostatic valves, check valves, and safety shutoff valves, serve different purposes in a plumbing or heating system. For example, thermostatic valves are used to regulate temperature by controlling the flow of hot water based on the temperature setting, while check valves prevent backflow in a system. Safety shutoff valves are designed to close off the flow of fluids in an emergency but do not relieve pressure. Thus, their functions do not fulfill the specific safety need in cases of overpressure like a pressure relief valve.