shut down valve ( also referred to as SDV or Emergency Shutdown Valve , ESV , ESD , or ESDV ; Safety shutoff valve ) is an actuated valve designed to stop the flow of a hazardous fluid upon the detection of a dangerous event . This provides protection against possible harm to people , equipment or the environment . Shutdown valves form part of a Safety Instrumented System . The process of providing automated safety protection upon the detection of a hazardous event is called Functional Safety Shutdown valves are primarily associated with the petroleum industry although other industries may also require this type of protection system . ESD valves are required by law on any equipment placed on an offshore drilling rig to prevent catastrophic events like the BP Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010
BP Horizon
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Shut down valve