Home Water Tank Safety, Relief Valves, Electrical Switches InspectAPedia® -
Home Water Tank Safety, Water Tank Relief Valves, Water Tank Electrical Switches
Well pump & water tank diagnosis & repair procedures
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This article describes Home Water Tank Safety, Water Tank Relief Valves, Water Tank Electrical Switches, how
to use them, adjust them, or where they should be installed.
Readers of this document should also see Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case which offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost.
The illustration at page top is courtesy of Carson Dunlop, Inc. in Toronto.
Water tank pressure relief valves are discussed here at WATER PUMP & TANK SAFETY. At Relief Valves - Water Heaters we discuss temperature and pressure relief valves used on residential water heaters. For a general discussion of temperature and pressure relief valves used as safety devices on heating boilers and other pressurized please see Relief Valves - TP Valves. Pressure relief valves (that sense pressure only, not temperature) are also required on pressurized tanks such as water tanks in buildings.
PUMP & TANK SAFETY - Water pump and water pressure tank or water storage tank safety advice
While you're on the topic of water pumps, tanks, and controls, here are some safety tips about
water pressure tank relief valves and electrical safety around this equipment.
In this photo, the small brass fitting to the right of the black
drain valve is a pressure relief valve needed on any pressurized tank.
On your water system these components may be
located differently.
Tank rupture hazards: can damage equipment or injure someone nearby. Every tank which is
pressurized (such as by water or air) should have a pressure relief valve installed - a safety device
required by building codes in many jurisdictions.
Most water tanks operate at relatively low pressures,
up to perhaps 60 psi. (Higher water pressure in buildings tends to cause leaks at faucets and toilets.)
But in the unlikely event that a pump pressure control is damaged and refuses to turn the pump OFF,
pressures in the system, particularly if a submersible (in-well) pump is installed, can become high
enough to rupture a water tank. This is particularly true if the tank is old, rusted, or otherwise damaged.
The water tank pressure relief valve shown in our photo (above left) is marked indicating that it will open at water pressure equal to or greater than 75 psi. That pressure is pretty standard. But check with the manufacturer of your water tank to determine if a different relief valve opening pressure is required.
If a pressure relief valve is not installed on your water tank ask your plumber to provide
one promptly.
Trip hazards wet floors can cause slips and falls - be careful.
Electrical shock hazards: can be fatal. Do not touch electrical controls in a building,
such as a pump power electrical switch, if you're standing on a wet floor.
Fatal Electrical Shock Hazard if you remove the cover of the pump pressure control switch (discussed above
at ADJUST PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL) you can get access to the
two nuts that adjust the operating pressures of the water pump. But watch out! There are also live electrical contacts exposed in this
area. If you touch them, especially being near water piping, there is a serious risk of death by electrocution. Watch what you touch, or have
a professional plumber or electrician do this job for you.
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