A loading regulator having an internal relief valve apparatus, comprising: a body having a loading diaphragm disposed between a first casing and a second casing, wherein the first casing and a first side of the loading diaphragm define a first chamber and the second casing and a second side of the loading diaphragm define a second chamber; and a relief valve assembly coupled to the loading diaphragm, characterized in that the relief valve assembly comprises: a relief valve seat having a cylindrical body and a flange portion at one end of the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a first aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture, the second aperture having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the first aperture and the third aperture having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the first aperture and smaller than a diameter of the second aperture, the first, second, and third apertures (458, 460, 462) forming a passageway that fluidly couples the first chamber and the second chamber; a relief valve plug having a stem portion and a flange portion, the relief valve plug being movably coupled to the relief valve seat; a relief biasing element disposed between the flange portion and a shoulder of the relief valve seat; and a frictional member disposed between the relief valve plug and the relief valve seat, the frictional member producing friction between the relief valve plug and the relief valve seat when the relief valve plug slides within the relief valve seat, wherein the relief valve plug is slidable away from the relief valve seat to a bleed position to allow the flow of fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber in response to an outlet pressure substantially greater than a pressure at which the loading regulator enters a lock-up condition as a result of the friction produced by the frictional member. a body having a loading diaphragm disposed between a first casing and a second casing, wherein the first casing and a first side of the loading diaphragm define a first chamber and the second casing and a second side of the loading diaphragm define a second chamber; and a relief valve assembly coupled to the loading diaphragm, a relief valve seat having a cylindrical body and a flange portion at one end of the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a first aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture, the second aperture having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the first aperture and the third aperture having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the first aperture and smaller than a diameter of the second aperture, the first, second, and third apertures (458, 460, 462) forming a passageway that fluidly couples the first chamber and the second chamber; a relief valve plug having a stem portion and a flange portion, the relief valve plug being movably coupled to the relief valve seat; a relief biasing element disposed between the flange portion and a shoulder of the relief valve seat; and a frictional member disposed between the relief valve plug and the relief valve seat, the frictional member producing friction between the relief valve plug and the relief valve seat when the relief valve plug slides within the relief valve seat, wherein the relief valve plug is slidable away from the relief valve seat to a bleed position to allow the flow of fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber in response to an outlet pressure substantially greater than a pressure at which the loading regulator enters a lock-up condition as a result of the friction produced by the frictional member.