If the temperature in the water heater reaches 210 or the pressure reaches 150 psi the relief valve will open reducing the pressure or releasing heated water to be replaced with cold water.
Water heater pressure relief valve discharge pipe.
This is to prevent a potentially catastrophic failure.
Temperature pressure relief or tpr valves are safety devices installed on water heating appliances such as boilers and domestic water supply heaters.
Building codes require temperature pressure relief tpr valves with discharge pipes on all new water heater installations.
1 the discharge pipe cannot be directly connected to the home s plumbing drainage system but an air gap located in the same room as the water heater can used to connect to the drainage system.
Just image the power that can be generated when the water starts to boil inside the tank.
Tprs are designed to automatically release water in the event that pressure or temperature in the water tank exceeds safe levels.
Scalding water and steam escape the tank through the valve and tube to relieve the pressure.