What type of valve is commonly used to relieve pressure throughout a distribution system?

A pressure relief valve is specifically designed to automatically release excess pressure within a distribution system to protect it from damage due to overpressure conditions. These valves play a critical role in maintaining safety and operational integrity in water distribution systems by diverting or discharging water when pressure levels exceed a predefined limit.

Unlike gate valves, which are primarily used to start or stop the flow of water without the ability to modulate pressure, pressure relief valves actively respond to changing pressure conditions. Similarly, while butterfly valves are used for regulating flow and are efficient for stopping and starting flow within a system, they do not serve the purpose of pressure relief. Flow control valves, on the other hand, manage the flow rate of water but do not specifically address pressure regulation or relieve excess pressure as effectively as a pressure relief valve does. Therefore, the pressure relief valve is the most suitable and widely used type of valve for relieving pressure in a distribution system.