The discharge outlet of a safety valve must not be what?

The discharge outlet of a safety valve must not be reduced because doing so can create upstream pressure buildup, which undermines the purpose of the safety valve. Safety valves are designed to relieve excess pressure from a system to prevent catastrophic failures. If the outlet is reduced, it restricts the flow of discharge, preventing the valve from performing effectively. This could lead to the valve being unable to release sufficient pressure quickly enough, potentially resulting in an unsafe situation.

Maintaining a full-size discharge outlet ensures that pressure can be released immediately and effectively, protecting both the equipment and the safety of personnel. Compliance with manufacture specifications and relevant codes is crucial, which often specifies that the discharge outlet should have a size that matches or exceeds the inlet size and that it remains open and unobstructed to allow for swift pressure relief.