What is the purpose of a safety valve on a boiler?

The safety valve on a boiler serves a critical function, primarily designed to relieve excess steam pressure. Boilers operate under high pressure, and if the pressure exceeds safe limits, it can lead to dangerous situations, including explosions. The safety valve automatically opens when the pressure within the boiler reaches a preset limit, allowing steam to escape and reducing pressure to a safe level. This crucial mechanism helps maintain the integrity and safety of the boiler system, preventing catastrophic failures.

In contrast, other options represent functions that are not associated with the purpose of a safety valve. For instance, increasing boiler pressure is the opposite of what a safety valve is intended to do, while preventing overheating is typically managed through temperature controls and different safety mechanisms. Monitoring temperature levels is also outside the scope of the safety valve, as it focuses solely on pressure relief.