A seal support system (1) for maintaining barrier fluid in a mechanical seal (2) including a vessel (10) for containing barrier fluid, a system for feeding barrier fluid between the vessel (10) and the mechanical seal (2), a system for automatically detecting barrier fluid within the vessel (10) and a system for automatically restoring barrier fluid within the vessel (10), and a system (100) for automatically draining barrier fluid from the vessel (10) after a predetermined period of time. The system for discharging (100) may automatically drain barrier fluid from the vessel (10) for a predetermined period of time. The system of discharging (100) may automatically drain barrier fluid from the vessel (10) with a predetermined rate of discharge. The system of discharging (100) preferably includes a system for draining barrier fluid from the vessel (10) and a valve for automatically controlling the draining of barrier fluid from the vessel. The valve may be an electrically controlled valve and the system of discharging (100) may further include a system of electric control for controlling the operation of the valve. The valve may alternatively be a mechanically controlled valve and the system of discharging (100) may further include a system of mechanical control for controlling the operation of the valve.