Take a look at this water heater pan

**Gene South** · 12-08-2009, 07:59 AM

Is there a guideline that stipulates each water heater should have it's own separate pan ? This photo shows two pans connected together, which is essentially the same as having one large pan. What if there was one large retangular pan containing both water heaters, would that be considered the same and would either or both be be acceptable? See photo.

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**Dan Harris** · 12-08-2009, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Gene South

Is there a guideline that stipulates each water heater should have it's own separate pan ? This photo shows two pans connected together, which is essentially the same as having one large pan. What if there was one large retangular pan containing both water heaters, would that be considered the same and would either or both be be acceptable? See photo.

The chance of both of them leaking at the same time is slim to none.
I don't believe that I would write it up as a concern.

**Markus Keller** · 12-08-2009, 09:42 AM

It is unlikely that both will leak at the same time. Then again they appear to be the same make and model. One could argue that if one tank has a leak issue presumably the other might have the same issue, since they are the same make and model.
If they both leak the one drain line (3/4" pvc?) for both probably won't be enough. There may be overflow and the attorney could argue you should have mentioned it.
I always tell clients that those drain pans are for slow leaks that they will hopefully see and deal with anyway. If the tank leaks rapidly or completely the pan isn't going to handle it.

A.D. Miller · 12-08-2009, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Gene South

Is there a guideline that stipulates each water heater should have it's own separate pan ? This photo shows two pans connected together, which is essentially the same as having one large pan. What if there was one large retangular pan containing both water heaters, would that be considered the same and would either or both be be acceptable? See photo.

GS:

P2801.5.2 Pan drain termination.

The pan drain shall extend
full-size and terminate over a suitably located indirect waste
receptor or shall extend to the exterior of the building and terminate
not less than 6 inches (152 mm) and not more than 24
inches (610 mm) above the adjacent ground surface.

**Jerry Peck** · 12-08-2009, 05:25 PM

Each should extend full size to the exterior.

It could be argued that one can feed into another which then drains to the exterior with a full size drain and that doing so meets the code, however, the code states (from the code Aaron posted) "The pan drain shall extend full-size and terminate ... " and it does not give the option to terminate 'or into another pan'.

I say 'to the exterior' but realize there is the other option to a "over a suitably located indirect waste receptor" (i.e., such as a floor drain).

Also, as food for thought, consider what happens when that pan gets water in it and the water heater is setting in that water (which will not drain all the way out, leaving about 3/4" to 1" of water in the pan) ... the water heater will be "partially submerged" and water heaters are not designed, tested, listed or labeled for installation "partially submerged".

**Bob Harper** · 12-08-2009, 06:55 PM

Can that platform hold both WHs?

Why not run a drain tube down to a condensate pump? May not be clearly approved or disapproved in the code but would get the job done and you have the vertical drop to make it work.

Why do we put WHs in pans that effectively raise the "lake level" not to mention holding CO2, which can snuff out pilots? If you're going to rely on a pan then maybe you should jack it up on bricks so it won't flood out unless the entire house does.

bob

**Bob Elliott** · 12-08-2009, 07:25 PM

Only one has a drip leg.

**Jerry Peck** · 12-08-2009, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Elliott

Only one has a drip leg.

That was my first thought too, but looking closely as the left one, there is a rise in the gas connector toward the WH which is indicating there is a sediment trap there too and which is likely set up like the WH on the right, where the gas connector rises up and turns down into the sediment trap.