Steam relief valve?

Scott33

I have been losing water in a steam system to the tune of 2-3 gallons per day. Three apartments are in this bugiding all off fo the same boiler/steam header.

I replaced all 8 vent valves and that seemed to help. Then I noticed what looks like a relief valve directly above the boiler blowing steam into the overhead space. It sits vertically on top af a 6-8 inch stub connected directly to the main steam header. It's above a covering and with the furncae running I never really heard the noise from it before.

Is this a safety relief valve or a vent for the main header??? It seems like a vent should be located at teh end fo the main and not right at the boilder so my guess is that it's a relief valve that's stuck open...or the system pressure is too high and it stays open to protect the system.

Any help is appreciated.

jeff_51

could be either

send us a picture

Al Gregory

relief valves are usually on the boiler itself