Steam vents are valves or other openings designed to release steam once internal pressures reach a certain critical point. The opening of a tea kettle is one example of a steam vent. Fictional steam vents are often found in industrial areas or maintenance corridors where they release steam on a regular basis. The (potentially super-heated) steam released may act as a terrain hazard and introduce both narrative and game world possibilities. Steam vents may be particularly important to steampunk worlds.

Steam vents may have valves that control their release, which may be important for game worlds. Pressure gauges may be useful indicators or clues.