safety valve
Excess pressure outlet
A safety valve is a device that automatically releases pressure from a boiler, tank, or pipe when it exceeds safe limits, preventing explosion.
The term extends to anything that provides a controlled outlet for excess energy or emotion: Sports serve as a safety valve for aggression.
A policy or practice may function as a safety valve by preventing buildup of social tension.
Force upon contact
- reliefEasing of distress
- steamHeated water's gaseous form
- boilerWater-heating vessel
- overpressurePressure exceeding ambient levels
regulator · gauge · piping · diaphragm · flange · piston · cylinder · burst
Purification through emotional expression
- ventingReleasing emotion verbally
- outletPoint of release
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
release · expression · confidant · support · solace · comfort · healing · resilience
Public expression of disapproval
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- petitionFormal written appeal
- referendumDirect vote on legislation
election · free speech · assembly · activism · outlet · forum · debate · dialogue
Preventive safety measure
- failsafeAutomatic protective default
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- mitigationReduction of severity
buffer · redundancy · foresight · planning · preparedness · proactive · risk management · insurance
Supervision or inadvertent omission
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- checksBank payment documents
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- ombudsmanPublic complaints investigator
recall · audit · transparency · accountability · protocol · compliance · watchdog · grievance
pressure
Force upon contact
overpressure · regulator · gauge · piping · diaphragm · flange · piston · cylinder · burst · rupture
catharsis
Purification through emotional expression
unburdening · release · expression · confidant · support · solace · comfort · healing · resilience · sharing
protest
Public expression of disapproval
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- petitionFormal written appeal
referendum · election · free speech · assembly · activism · outlet · forum · debate · dialogue · negotiation
precaution
Preventive safety measure
- failsafeAutomatic protective default
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- contingencyUncertain possible event
mitigation · buffer · redundancy · foresight · planning · preparedness · proactive · risk management · insurance · fallback
oversight
Supervision or inadvertent omission
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- checksBank payment documents
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
ombudsman · recall · audit · transparency · accountability · protocol · compliance · watchdog · grievance · appeals
- well controlBOP, kick, blowout, shut-in, wellhead
- safetyhazard, airbag, alert, danger, seatbelt
- controlsbutton, switch, dial, knob, lever
- safeguardsprotections, kill switch, defenses, emergency stop, shields
- safety devicesairbag, seatbelt, smoke detector, helmet, fire extinguisher
- safety equipmentlife jacket, lifeboat, smoke alarms, smoke alarm, life raft
safety valvepressure cooker
Sealed pot using steam
containment vessel · pressure buildup · obstruction · bottleneck · dam
safety valvebottling up
Containing emotions internally
suppression · repression · pressure cooker · powder keg · ticking time bomb
safe, save, safety, unsafe, safeguard, valve, safely, safer, safeguards