Conventional safety valve testing procedures employed at most end user
companies involve sending a technician out in the field to attach either a
mechanical stroke limiting device or pneumatic switch to each safety valve.
With these devices attached, the movement of the safety valve is limited,
which allows them to be partially stroked without interfering with the
process. Once the safety valves’ movement is restricted, technicians send a
signal from the control room to determine if the valve would respond if
called upon.