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Topic:   Water Heater TPR Discharge Piping - 973 visits (1 today, 4 this week)

Shane Pouch
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From:Olathe, KS
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posted March 23, 2007 12:18 PM         

Hello to all,

Subject water heater temp/press relief valve discharge piping arrangement.

2006 IRC section P2803.6.1 addresses this.

P2803.6.1.12 Not have valves or tee fittings, is pretty obvious.

But, could P2803.6.1.4 Serve a single relief device and shall not connect to piping serving any other relief device or equipment, also apply? Could the overflow pan be considered "equipment"? Or is this paragraph referring to relief devices or equipment only?

Thanks!

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Shane in KC
"Deal Killer"? Nope...just an ASP (assisted suicide provider)!

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Tim Moreira
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posted March 23, 2007 01:23 PM            

Nice attempt at saving about 1 foot of copper.

IMHO, they should be piped separately.

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Tim Moreira
Suncoast Home Inspections
Suncoasthomeinspections@yahoo.com

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Thom Walker
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From:Corpus Christi, Texas
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posted March 23, 2007 04:42 PM            

Look at it this way, Shane. Water takes the path of least resistance. Additionally, the discharge from the TPR will be under pressure. It will add water to the pan.

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Jerry McCarthy
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posted March 23, 2007 07:03 PM            

Nice try!

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Jerry McCarthy
San Mateo, CA

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Jerry Peck
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posted March 23, 2007 10:30 PM            

Water takes ALL available paths, not just the path of least resistance.

Someone went to a lot more work then if they had just run them separately.

What a waste of time.

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Jerry Peck
Ormond Beach
(i.e., Daytona Beach area)

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Shane Pouch
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posted March 24, 2007 09:30 AM         

Come on everybody, back on point. I'm trying to figure out the intent of P2803.6.1.4.

Can the pan (overflow drainage "equipment"?) be considered "equipment"?

Terre G
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From:Astoria Oregon
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posted March 24, 2007 01:48 PM            

Shane,
Good questions! Thanks for posting the picture, Shane.
I don't view the overflow pan as being "EQUIPMENT" in the sense you are asking. However, the WH is equipment. I understand "equipment" as being comprised of parts and components, to form a function that has a mechanical or electrical function. This is supported by the definition for equipment component found in IBC chapter 2:

quote:

---

"Component, equipment." A mechanical or electrical component or element that is part of a mechanical and/or electrical system within or without a building system.

---

So to answer your original questions:
"Could the overflow pan be considered "equipment"? NO.
"Or is this paragraph referring to relief devices or equipment only? YES.

The incorrect installation pictured with the PT discharge pipe "Tee'ing" into the overflow pan discharge pipe violates code section P2803.6.1-#12. And it violates TABLE P3005.1 FITTINGS FOR CHANGE IN DIRECTION

A friend in the Building Codes,

Terre Gift
Buidling Official
Astoria & Warrenton, Oregon

,

Jerry McCarthy
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posted March 25, 2007 10:12 AM            

Shane, note #12 (highlighted)

2006 IRC - P2803.6.1 Water Heaters - Requirements for discharge pipe:
The discharge piping serving a pressure-relief valve, temperature relief valve or combination valve shall:
1. Not be directly connected to the drainage system.
2. Discharge through an air gap located in the same room as the water heater.
3. Not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the valve served and shall discharge full size to the air gap.
4. Serve a single relief device and shall not connect to piping serving any other relief device or equipment.
5. Discharge to the floor, to an indirect waste receptor or to the outdoors. Where discharging to the outdoors in areas subject to freezing, discharge piping shall be first piped to an indirect waste receptor through an air gap located in a conditioned area.
6. Discharge in a manner that does not cause personal injury or structural damage.
7. Discharge to a termination point that is readily observable by the building occupants.
8. Not be trapped.
9. Be installed to flow by gravity.
10. Not terminate more than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor or waste receptor.
11. Not have a threaded connection at the end of the piping.
12. Not have valves or tee fittings.
13. Be constructed of those materials listed in Section P2904.5 or materials tested, rated and approved for such use in accordance with ASME A112.4.1.

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Jerry McCarthy
San Mateo, CA

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Jerry Peck
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posted March 25, 2007 03:17 PM            

Jerry M.,

For the purposes of another thread, I will change the bold highlighting around.

2006 IRC - P2803.6.1 Water Heaters - Requirements for discharge pipe:
The discharge piping serving a pressure-relief valve, temperature relief valve or combination valve shall:
1. Not be directly connected to the drainage system.
2. Discharge through an air gap located in the same room as the water heater.
3. Not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the valve served and shall discharge full size to the air gap.
4. Serve a single relief device and shall not connect to piping serving any other relief device or equipment.
5. Discharge to the floor, to an indirect waste receptor or to the outdoors. Where discharging to the outdoors in areas subject to freezing, discharge piping shall be first piped to an indirect waste receptor through an air gap located in a conditioned area.
6. Discharge in a manner that does not cause personal injury or structural damage.
7. Discharge to a termination point that is readily observable by the building occupants.
8. Not be trapped.
9. Be installed to flow by gravity.
10. Not terminate more than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor or waste receptor.
11. Not have a threaded connection at the end of the piping.
12. Not have valves or tee fittings.
13. Be constructed of those materials listed in Section P2904.5 or materials tested, rated and approved for such use in accordance with ASME A112.4.1.

Now, how to you accomplish *all* of those and install a water heater in an attic?

------------------
Jerry Peck
Ormond Beach
(i.e., Daytona Beach area)

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