A control device for controlling and monitoring two fluid valves, wherein each fluid valve comprises a drive means which is adapted for activation by an associated control signal, and a movable valve element which is biassed toward a first position in which fluid flow through the valve is prevented and which can be driven by said drive means to a second position in which fluid is able to flow through the valve, a first switch which is actuable by the displaceable element of the first valve, a second switch which is actuable by the displaceable element of the second valve, wherein each switch is biassed towards a first position and each switch can be driven to a second position when the displaceable element of the associated valve takes its second position.

According to the invention, both switches (20, 21) are adapted to directly influence the control signal paths in both switch positions and are connected in a manner to prevent application of the first control signal (S1) to the first valve (20) with the first valve in its first position when application of the first control signal (S1) takes place after a predetermined time period has lapsed from the time of activating of the second valve, and to prevent application of the second control signal (S1) to the second valve when in its first position if the application of the second control signal (S2) takes place after a predetermined time period has lapsed subsequent to activation of the first valve. Both switches (20, 21) are connected in a manner to permit each control signal to be applied to a respective drive means when both switches simultaneously occupy their first position or simultaneously occupy their second position.