Safety Valve posts don't count....And why do you care anyway...as long as you are helping people it shouldn't matter
dude, if you don't know that, you don't need to worry about being a senior member. rank, at the least, is suppose to specify some technical knowledge, or at least an understanding of this site.
if you'd really searched, you'd know that rank updates are performed only once every month or two, when an admin hits the button. really, don't worry about your rank. if you just make good posts and keep in line, you'll develop a reputation that perpetuates itself far beyond that which any mere title can bestow.