A water heater can explode if a ______ is not installed.

A water heater can explode if a ______ is not installed.

• A. Check valve
• B. Isolation valve
• C. Relief valve
• D. Shutoff valve

Answer: (C)

A water heater can explode when pressure inside the tank gets too high, so a relief valve is installed to vent excess pressure and prevent that buildup from reaching dangerous levels. The relief valve opens at a preset pressure and releases water or steam through a discharge pipe to a safe location, keeping the tank pressure in a safe range. Without this valve, a malfunctioning thermostat or overheating could push pressure past the tank’s limit, causing a rupture or violent failure. The other valves control flow or shut off water, but they do not relieve pressure or vent steam, so they won’t prevent an explosion.

A water heater can explode when pressure inside the tank gets too high, so a relief valve is installed to vent excess pressure and prevent that buildup from reaching dangerous levels. The relief valve opens at a preset pressure and releases water or steam through a discharge pipe to a safe location, keeping the tank pressure in a safe range. Without this valve, a malfunctioning thermostat or overheating could push pressure past the tank’s limit, causing a rupture or violent failure. The other valves control flow or shut off water, but they do not relieve pressure or vent steam, so they won’t prevent an explosion.