Thread: Air gap for washing machine

Is an air gap required at the clothes washer standpipe?
See picture.

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That is wrong.

A trap is required so waste gases don't enter the home. If you are not sure if there is one. Remove the laundry drain and flush the toilet, then have the broker go over there and sniff

Originally Posted by Jon mackay

Is an air gap required at the clothes washer standpipe?

No, but an air break is.

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

That is wrong.

Quite correct, what is shown is wrong.

(bold and underlining are mine)
AIR GAP, DRAINAGE SYSTEM. The unobstructed vertical distance through free atmosphere between the outlet of a waste pipe and the flood-level rim of the fixture or receptor into which it is discharging.

AIR BREAK (DRAINAGE SYSTEM).An arrangement in which a discharge pipe from a fixture, appliance or device drains indirectly into a receptor below the flood-level rim of the receptor, and above the trap seal.

"AIR GAP, DRAINAGE SYSTEM. The unobstructed vertical distance through free atmosphere between the outlet of a waste pipe and the flood-level rim of the fixture or receptor into which it is discharging."


Jerry
Is something missing?
I was thinking an air gap was referring to the faucet on tubs and sinks.
The above only mentions the outlet of a waste pipe.

They make air gaps for washers, for example:



- VA4 Airgap for washing machine wall box drains - 1/2 CPVC Glue Fitting - FreshWaterSystems.com

... but I've yet to see one installed.

It (the laundry stand pipe) is also insufficient as to size/diameter (DFUs).

P.S. The hose clamp is serving no purpose at the outlet side of the gooseneck pinned against the wall where gooseneck is improperly connected to undersized laundry stand pipe. It (the hose clamp) should be at the drain hose end securing the washer drain hose TO THE gooseneck.

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

"AIR GAP, DRAINAGE SYSTEM. The unobstructed vertical distance through free atmosphere between the outlet of a waste pipe and the flood-level rim of the fixture or receptor into which it is discharging."


Jerry
Is something missing?
I was thinking an air gap was referring to the faucet on tubs and sinks.
The above only mentions the outlet of a waste pipe.

Yes, the bolded font for the entire term, and you apparently skipped over the qualifer in the term being defined which JP had modified the font to "unbold" (now "bolded" AND "highlighted" in orange):

AIR GAP, DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

i.e. DRAINAGE SYSTEM AIR GAP.

RC, you're thinking of the potable or supply system "side" air gap, which when "a plumbing system" "air gap" is not further qualified, would include.

Since the OP is from New York State, and in the STYLE of the NYS Plumbing Code the definitions appear thusly note the difference(s):

Originally Posted by Plumbing Code, NYS

AIR BREAK (Drainage System). A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device discharges indirectly into another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and abov the trap seal.

AIR GAP (Drainage System). The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of the waste pipe and the flood level rim of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.

AIR GAP (Water Distribution System). The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supply water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.

An example of an older UPC based, code (definitions more all-inclusive and older-language pased) might be found in the Illinois Plumbing Code as thus:

Originally Posted by Plumbing Code, Illinois

"Air Break": See Air Gap.

"Air Gap": The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank or plumbing fixture and the flood-level rim of the receptacle. An air gap in a drainage system is a piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device discharges indirectly into another fixture, receptacle, or interceptor at a point above the flood level rim. (See Appendix B: Illustrations A and B.)

Illustrations A and B are attached below.