Safety valves must be positioned to prevent which hazard in a boiler system?

Safety valves are essential components in boiler systems, primarily designed to ensure that excessive pressure is safely released. By doing so, they prevent the risk of explosions or catastrophic failures that could result from over-pressurization.

When considering the hazards in a boiler system, scalding is a significant concern. If the pressure within the boiler exceeds safe operational limits, it can lead to dangerously high temperatures of the steam or water. This excessive pressure can not only cause equipment failure but also create conditions where hot steam or water can escape, leading to severe burns or scalding injuries.

While other hazards like boiler leakage, thermal shock, and corrosion damage are relevant issues, the immediate purpose of safety valves is to control pressure. This makes safeguarding against scalding paramount, as it directly relates to the management of steam and water temperatures associated with excessive pressure situations. Therefore, positioning safety valves appropriately plays a critical role in preventing scalding incidents in the event of over-pressurization in the boiler system.