Secondary Into Primary

[John Goad]

I see a lot of secondary condensate drains tied into the primary, even when there is a float switch in the pan, it is in my opinion a good idea to keep the primary & secondary run separately & mention it in the report. I guess I am wondering if this is over-kill on my part & would like some input.
Thanks, JG

[A.D. Miller]

I see a lot of secondary condensate drains tied into the primary, even when there is a float switch in the pan, it is in my opinion a good idea to keep the primary & secondary run separately & mention it in the report. I guess I am wondering if this is over-kill on my part & would like some input.
Thanks, JG

John:

I recommend drain line instalation in these instances as an inexpensive insurance policy for failed float switches. Redundant systems in order to protect property from water damage are not overkill, in my opinion.

Aaron

[Ron Bibler]

This link may help...

http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-hvac-home-inspection-commercial-inspection/8495-ac-condensate-drain-arrangement.html

Best

Ron

[Jeff Remas]

If you have a primary and a drain pan then a secondary is not required if you have a water level detection device that shuts off the equipment.

If it has a secondary disposal, it needs to discharge somewhere visible by the occupants so they know there is a problem. So a secondary will not go into the plumbing system. The primary is also not required to go into the plumbing system, therefore traps are not required if you are not tapping the primary into the DWV system.

If however you have a fuel fired appliance that automatically shuts down operation in the event of stoppage in the condensate drainage system.

You can recommend whatever you want for your own security blanket but what you recommend and what is required are two different things.

There are a choice of 4 methods for auxillary and secondary drainage systems.

[A.D. Miller]

If you have a primary and a drain pan then a secondary is not required if you have a water level detection device that shuts off the equipment.

If it has a secondary disposal, it needs to discharge somewhere visible by the occupants so they know there is a problem. So a secondary will not go into the plumbing system. The primary is also not required to go into the plumbing system, therefore traps are not required if you are not tapping the primary into the DWV system.

If however you have a fuel fired appliance that automatically shuts down operation in the event of stoppage in the condensate drainage system.

You can recommend whatever you want for your own security blanket but what you recommend and what is required are two different things.

There are a choice of 4 methods for auxillary and secondary drainage systems.

Jeff: The discussion was initially about recommendations and not requirements.

[John Goad]

I understand the requirements, I also understand that there can be system malfunctions that would put condesnate in the secondary pan & out the secondary drain without ever tripping the float switch, now you have condesate coming out of the primary because the secondary is tied into the primary & since it is, it does not alert the occupants of the problem. Then there is also the potential for the float switch failure.
The reason for my posting is this, some times it seems like we are beating our heads against the wall, Aaron used the term "inexpensive insurance policy" which is the way that I try to explain it, but was getting to a point to where I was questioning myself as to whether I would continue to send it to the summary.

[Jeff Remas]

You can recommend whatever you want for your own security blanket but what you recommend and what is required are two different things.

There are a choice of 4 methods for auxillary and secondary drainage systems.

Are you writing it up as a defect and making a recommendation or is this just an FYI for the buyer to protect your tushy?

If you are writing it up as a defect, you are wrong.

If you are making a recommendation then that is another story. You can recommend whatever you want.

Sorry I included the requirements that you and everyone else were already aware of.

[Jeffrey L. Mathis]

In my city it is illegal (technically) to introduce condensate into the sewer system. I personally advise my clients that they want to see the end of the pipe and want to see the water draining in the summer. I see a bunch of backed up drains and keeping them visible and separate is just a simple safety tip. But it does generally go in the body of the report and not on the summary.
JLMathis

[Jeff Remas]

I need to be educated about traps and condensate not going into a dwv. please show me where i can find that code requirement.

[Brandon Whitmore]

Well,

In Oregon (UPC' ish) I guess you can..... (807.2)

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/bcd/programs/plumbing/2008_opsc/Chapter_8.pdf

[A.D. Miller]

I need to be educated about traps and condensate not going into a dwv. please show me where i can find that code requirement.

Jeff: The is on proscription in the ICC regarding disposal of condensate in the DWV.

The requirement:


M1411.3 Condensate disposal. Condensate from all cooling
coils or evaporators shall be conveyed from the drain pan outlet
to an approved place of disposal. Condensate shall not discharge
into a street, alley or other areas where it would cause a
nuisance.


1. An auxiliary drain pan with a separate drain shall be
installed under the coils on which condensation will
occur. The auxiliary pan drain shall discharge to a conspicuous
point of disposal to alert occupants in the event
of a stoppage of the primary drain. The pan shall have a
minimum depth of 1.5 inches (38 mm), shall not be less
than 3 inches (76 mm) larger than the unit or the coil
dimensions in width and length and shall be constructed
of corrosion-resistant material. Metallic pans shall have
a minimum thickness of not less than 0.0276-inch (0.7
mm) galvanized sheet metal. Nonmetallic pans shall
have a minimum thickness of not less than 0.0625 inch
(1.6 mm).

The problem, in my opinion lies in the two bolded red areas. They seem, at least where I live to be contradictory. Most builders here terminate the secondary condensate drain line in the soffit above a window. In my experience, from inspecting tens of thousands of houses and opening hundreds of thousands of windows, the majority of people do not open their windows much. Additionally, most windows have some sorts of interior window coverings that rarely if ever are opened. Due to the fine Texas summers, shade screens are usually installed on the south and west windows, making the view through them, even without window coverings, too obscured to see dripping condensate.

The biggest problem though is that the condensate is dripping immediately adjacent to the foundation of the house. In an area that has both highly expansive clay soils and subterranean termites aplenty, adding lots of moisture in concentrated areas is problematic. One could even argue that it, in the wording of 1411.3, "creates a nuisance".

So then, in the spirit of terminating a water heater TPR drain line at an air gap above the DWV, why is there something wrong with terminating condensate drain lines in a like fashion? After all, that's precisely where the primary lines are terminated - even though JP argues a fine case against it.

Aaron:D

[Jeffrey L. Mathis]

Here in the moderately warm, humid area I call home, a Utility employee fairly high up the ladder told me that they don't need to treat any more effluent than they have to and that condensate from AC systems is mildly acidic to boot.
Through the years I have only seen a few times when dumping to the exterior of the house caused a problem. Generally the liquid evaporates reasonably quickly.
The theory used by most HVAC techs that dump the back-up drain through the soffit is that you will look out the window and see it and have the proverbial bell ring in your head that a problem is brewing. Of course, they almost inevitably fail to teach the home owner about that and I get the question: "Why is there a pipe sticking out of my roof?"

JLMathis

[Jeff Remas]

I am talking about the trap requirement that JP had posted.

I am aware of the code requirement if you read my original post but got an earful for posting requirements.

Traps, traps, traps, that is what I want to know about.

Why JP, why are they required? Educate me.

Anyone can cut and paste code, just tell me where and I will read it myself.

[A.D. Miller]

I am talking about the trap requirement that JP had posted.

I am aware of the code requirement if you read my original post but got an earful for posting requirements.

Traps, traps, traps, that is what I want to know about.

Why JP, why are they required? Educate me.

Anyone can cut and paste code, just tell me where and I will read it myself.

Jeff: When someone takes of their time to "cut and paste" (as you put it) in an effort to explain an issue that you have asked questions about, it is rather presumptuous and downright rude of you to take this sort of stance.

My advice to you then is this: read the codes and figure it out for yourself, since you seem to know so much about the subject.

Aaron:D

[Jeff Remas]

Traps are not required for condensate drains that don't go into the DWV system. Someone here has posted that they required traps and I want to know where they found that information because I can't, probably because it does not exist.

Maybe I am wrong so I am asking the claimant to show me so I can learn something or maybe he can.

[A.D. Miller]

Traps are not required for condensate drains that don't go into the DWV system. Someone here has posted that they required traps and I want to know where they found that information because I can't, probably because it does not exist.

Maybe I am wrong so I am asking the claimant to show me so I can learn something or maybe he can.

Look for a previous post that discussed this in great detail. If my memory serves me correctly, the requirement is a manufacturer's requirement and thus, a code requirement.

[Jeff Remas]

I can see it being a manufacturer's requirement so they can use the trap as a seal as to not let air to be drawn inside the unit when it is under negative pressure. Otherwise the condendate can be drawn back up into the unit and saturate the interior ducts in that area.

I was ass-u-ming this was being touted as a specific code requirement, not a default code requirement due to it being required by a manufacturer.

I like the see through traps with plugs on each end for cleaning.

[John Arnold]

I can see it being a manufacturer's requirement so they can use the trap as a seal as to not let air to be drawn inside the unit when it is under negative pressure. Otherwise the condendate can be drawn back up into the unit and saturate the interior ducts in that area...

I don't get this. If the air handler is capable of sucking condensate from a line with no trap, why can't it suck the condensate out of the trap?

[A.D. Miller]

I don't get this. If the air handler is capable of sucking condensate from a line with no trap, why can't it suck the condensate out of the trap?

It's in the fluid physics.

[Jeff Remas]

That is why the traps have specific size requirments, usually 3/4" or larger.

[neal lewis]

therefore traps are not required if you are not tapping the primary into the DWV system.

I see a big 'ole stickers on the cased coil that says "A condensate drain trap must be installed", and it makes no distinction where it discharges to.

[Jerry Peck]

If you have a primary and a drain pan then a secondary is not required if you have a water level detection device that shuts off the equipment.

Jeff,

The secondary is still "required", however, it is allowed to drain to the auxiliary pan, provided it is properly trapped.


The primary is also not required to go into the plumbing system, therefore traps are not required if you are not tapping the primary into the DWV system.

Traps are required on both the primary and the secondary condensate drain lines. It has nothing to do with the codes other than the codes require the units to be installed per the manufacturers' installation requirements - which call for traps on both.

(Okay, it does have to do with codes 'other than just being installed to manufactures' installation instructions, but let's understand the installation instructions first, once the simple stuff is understood, we can progress to the more complex stuff.)

[Jeff Remas]

Secondary drain systems (piping) is not required if the auxillary drain pan has a water detection switch that shuts down the equipment.

[Michael Thomas]

Examples of manufacture's (Lennox) installation instructions:

[Jerry Peck]

Secondary drain systems (piping) is not required if the auxillary drain pan has a water detection switch that shuts down the equipment.

Jeff,

Read the installation instructions - the secondary drain *IS REQUIRED*, and *IT IS REQUIRED* to be trapped.

What you are missing is *WHERE* the secondary drain discharges to.

With an auxiliary drain pan, the secondary condensate line discharges *into the auxiliary drain pan*, i.e., it is a heck of a lot shorter than it would be if not for the auxiliary drain pan, but it is still REQUIRED.

[Brandon Chew]

Here in the moderately warm, humid area I call home, a Utility employee fairly high up the ladder told me that they don't need to treat any more effluent than they have to and that condensate from AC systems is mildly acidic to boot.

JLMathis


Condensate from the exhaust gases of heating appliances is acidic; condensate formed from the dehumidification of the room air by the AC system is not.

[Ted Menelly]

Secondary drain systems (piping) is not required if the auxillary drain pan has a water detection switch that shuts down the equipment.

Sorry Jeff

That is one of the rules I happen to think is BULL


Just say, let me think, oh yeah. Waht happens when the switch decides it does not want to work anymore ??????

Not arguing with you just bull crap notes like that.

Not all instalation advise or codes are worth much if anything. That leaves me in my set ways to say "what a bull**it piece of worthless, ignorant writing/advise/code etc. etc.

[Erby Crofutt]

Here's a secondary drain for ya!

-

[Jerry Peck]

Erby,

I see what may be a secondary condensate drain line with two outlets, one high and one low. The low outlet makes that secondary condensate drain line (if that is what it is) not trapped.

The primary condensate drain line has a running trap, which is not only not allowed by does no good.

Looks like one pan set down inside of another pan?

Most certainly, though, that auxiliary drain pan is large enough. :D

[Jeff Remas]

M1411.3.1 Auxiliary and secondary drain systems. In
addition to the requirements of Section M1411.3, a secondary
drain or auxiliary drain pan shall be required for each
cooling or evaporator coil where damage to any building
components will occur as a result of overflow from the
equipment drain pan or stoppage in the condensate drain
piping.

3. An auxiliary drain pan without a separate drain line
shall be installed under the coils on which condensate
will occur. This pan shall be equipped with a water
level detection device conforming to UL 508 that will
shut off the equipment served prior to overflow of the
pan. The auxiliary drain pan shall be constructed in
accordance with Item 1 of this section.

M1411.3.1.1 Water level monitoring devices. On
down-flow units and all other coils that have no secondary
drain and no means to install an auxiliary drain pan, a
water-level monitoring device shall be installed inside
the primary drain pan.

[Ted Menelly]

Upright units that have no secondary drain line and just a cut off switch that stops working????? Where does the water go?????? Oh yeah. Down thru the unit.

The closet units that have the air return under the units and do not have a drain pan. Where does in go?? Onto the floor and then down thru the ceiling of the first floor. At least with a secondary drain line the only person that someone can blame when both lines get clogged up and the water drains thru their home is themselves for not maintaining their unit on a regular basis.

A float switch in a pan I can see. A cut off switch in place of a secondary drain line is just foolish and should not be allowed.

Just my humble opinion.

[Jerry Peck]

Jeff,

You are trying to defend a position for which there is no defense.

(I've changed the highlighting)

M1411.3.1 Auxiliary and secondary drain systems. In addition to the requirements of Section M1411.3, a secondary drain or auxiliary drain pan shall be required for each cooling or evaporator coil where damage to any building components will occur as a result of overflow from the equipment drain pan or stoppage in the condensate drain piping.



M1411.3 Condensate disposal. Condensate from all cooling coils or evaporators shall be conveyed from the drain pan outlet to an approved place of disposal. Condensate shall not discharge into a street, alley or other areas where it would cause a nuisance.



There are TWO "drain pan outlets", one for the primary and one for the secondary, BOTH must drain to an approved place of disposal. For the secondary condensate drain line, that approved place of disposal is (can be) the auxiliary drain pan.


Now, from the auxiliary drain pan, yeah, THAT does not "require" a drain line, THAT can have the water sensing switch.


You are also forgetting the most important section:
- SECTION M1307
- - APPLIANCE INSTALLATION
- - - M1307.1 General. Installation of appliances shall conform to the conditions of their listing and label and the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The manufacturer’s operating and installation instructions shall remain attached to the appliance.




The manufacturer's installation instructions shows the secondary condensate drain line, WITH ITS TRAP, is required.


The thing you are missing is this should be a discussion about *where* that secondary condensate drain line discharges, not whether it is required or not - because it is required, both by the code and by the manufacturer.

[Jeff Remas]

There are units that are manufactured that have an internal switch that shut down the units when there is a condensate backup. They are allowed by code to be used in place of any auxillary system.

The pan referred to in the codes is the pan that is part of the unit design and not the auxillary pan that would be installed when necessary.

It is possible to have a unit installation with no secondary drain and no auxillary drain pan when there is an internal switch that shuts down the equipment upon backup and be both code complaint and IAW MII.

[Jerry Peck]

There are units that are manufactured that have an internal switch that shut down the units when there is a condensate backup. They are allowed by code to be used in place of any auxillary system.

The pan referred to in the codes is the pan that is part of the unit design and not the auxillary pan that would be installed when necessary.

It is possible to have a unit installation with no secondary drain and no auxillary drain pan when there is an internal switch that shuts down the equipment upon backup and be both code complaint and IAW MII.


Jeff,

You are really reaching trying to defend your position.

Re-read the posts and the posted installation instruction sections.

THOSE are the things we are all talking about.

[Jeff Remas]

Good thing you are self employed and have no one to answer to. Who is Capri Engineering LLC anyway?

[Jerry Peck]

Jeff,

You really are off the deep end, aren't you?

(sigh)

And I thought we were going to have some good contributions from him.

[John Goad]

For those of you that would or do mention a 2ndary tied into the primary with a float switch in the pan, do you send it to the summary or bury it in the body? Thanks

[Jerry Peck]

John,

If it was not correct, it went into my report and the summary. There was no 'This goes in the summary and this does not.' thing to worry about, you may leave something you think is unimportant out of the summary but your client thinks it is important and should have been in the summary.

If it is important enough to write up, it is important enough to go in the summary.