What safety measures are typically employed in high-pressure steam systems?

In high-pressure steam systems, the use of safety valves and pressure gauges is critical for ensuring safe operation. Safety valves serve as a fail-safe mechanism that automatically releases excess pressure from the system. This prevents the pressure from exceeding safe operational limits, which could lead to catastrophic failures or explosions. Pressure gauges are essential for monitoring the pressure within the system in real-time, allowing operators to make informed decisions and adjustments to maintain safe operating conditions.

The combination of these safety devices directly addresses the inherent risks associated with high-pressure steam, making this answer the most appropriate choice. Routinely monitoring and automatically relieving excessive pressure is a foundational aspect of safety protocols in such environments.

Other options, such as installation of temperature gauges and alarms or sealing all joints to prevent leakage, contribute to safety but do not address pressure control specifically, which is the primary concern in high-pressure steam systems. Routine visual inspections, while important, are insufficient as a standalone safety measure since they may miss immediate pressure-related hazards that safety valves and gauges can manage actively.