Relief valves shall be installed in the shell of the water heater tank. Temperature relief valves shall be so located in the tank as to be activated by the water in the top 6 inches (150 mm) of the tank served. For installations with separate storage tanks, the valves shall be installed on the tank and there shall not be any type of valve installed between the water heater and the storage tank. There shall not be a check valve or shutoff valve between a relief valve and the heater or tank served.