The necessity of the safety device became evident, as soon as mankind was able to boil water to create steam. Around 2000 years ago, to allow (relatively) safer production of steam, the Chinese were using cauldrons with hinged lids. At the beginning of the 14th century, to act as safety devices on a pressurized vessel, chemists used conical plugs and later, compressed springs.
Boiler explosions on ships and locomotives frequently resulted from faulty safety devices, early in the 19th century, which led to the development of the first safety relief valves. To protect life and property is, therefore, the primary function of a safety valve.
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