Where is the safety relief valve installed in relation to the compressor charging tanks?

• A. First Tank
• B. Inlet manifold
• C. Second Tank
• D. Intake port

Answer: (A)

A safety relief valve in an air system is placed where it can protect the entire charging system from overpressure, which means it should be located as early as possible in the flow path after the compressor. Installing it on the first charging tank lets the valve relieve excess pressure before it can be transmitted into the remaining tanks and downstream components. If the valve were placed on the second tank, overpressure could develop in the first tank before relief occurs, risking damage to the compressor and the initial storage. Placing a relief at the inlet manifold or the intake port would not protect the tanks in the same way, since those locations don’t safeguard the charging tanks downstream from excessive pressure. Therefore, the first charging tank is the correct placement.