What should be installed on a water heater connected to a separate storage tank?

In systems where a water heater is connected to a separate storage tank, the installation of a water pressure relief valve is essential for safety and compliance with plumbing codes. This valve serves a critical function by preventing excessive pressure buildup within the system, which could lead to dangerous situations such as tank rupture or explosion.

When water is heated, it expands, which can increase pressure in both the water heater and the connected storage tank. The pressure relief valve is designed to release water as needed to maintain safe pressure levels, making it a necessary component for protecting both the storage tank and the piping system.

While the other components like a temperature gauge, shut-off valve, and flow restrictor serve important purposes in plumbing systems, they do not specifically address the safety concern related to pressure buildup in a water heater connected to a storage tank. A temperature gauge monitors the temperature for user awareness, a shut-off valve allows for isolation of the system for maintenance, and a flow restrictor manages the flow rate. However, none of these functions directly replace the safety mechanism provided by a water pressure relief valve, which is specifically designed to mitigate risks associated with pressure regulation.