What essential protection do all refrigeration and HVAC systems feature?

Pressure relief valves are a critical safety feature in all refrigeration and HVAC systems. These valves are designed to relieve excess pressure that can build up within the system due to various factors, including temperature fluctuations, blockages, or equipment failure. If the pressure exceeds a predetermined limit, the valve opens to release the pressure, preventing potential damage to components or even catastrophic failures. This mechanism helps to maintain the structural integrity of the system and ensures safe operation.

In contrast, while emergency shutdown alarms, cooling fans, and heat exchangers serve important roles within their respective systems, they do not serve as universal safety devices like pressure relief valves. Emergency shutdown alarms are specific to alerting of dangerous conditions rather than providing pressure control. Cooling fans help in maintaining system temperatures but are not safety devices in and of themselves. Heat exchangers facilitate the transfer of heat in systems but again do not provide the necessary protective function against excessive pressure. Thus, pressure relief valves are the essential protection feature common across all refrigeration and HVAC systems.