The safety valve can be fitted within the pressure reducing station itself, that is, before the downstream stop valve, as in Figure 9.3.3 (a), or further downstream, nearer the apparatus as in Figure 9.3.3 (b). Fitting the safety valve before the downstream stop valve has the following advantages:
The safety valve can be tested in-line by shutting down the downstream stop valve without the chance of downstream apparatus being over pressurised, should the safety valve fail under test.
When the testing is carried out in-line, the safety valve does not have to be removed and bench tested, which is more costly and time consuming.
When setting the PRV under no-load conditions, the operation of the safety valve can be observed, as this condition is most likely to cause 'simmer'. If this should occur, the PRV pressure can be adjusted to below the safety valve reseat pressure.
Any additional take-offs downstream are inherently protected. Only apparatus with a lower MAWP requires additional protection. This can have significant cost benefits.