TPRV drain connection

Charles Cleveland · 05-29-2011, 11:40 AM

I was wondering if this is an improper connection.
The TPRV drain line from a water heater, located in the attic, terminates into a plumbing vent stack.
Please see picture.
Thanks for your responce.

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**Ron Hasil** · 05-29-2011, 11:56 AM

That is not proper at all. They will need to repar the vent stack, and properly termamte the T&P discharge pipe.

Here is sections in the Georgia State Amendments to the International Plumbing Code.

504.6 Requirements for discharge piping.

The relief valve shall discharge full size, separately to a safe place of disposal such as a concrete floor, outside the building, an indirect waste receptor, or other approved location. The discharge shall terminate in a manner that does not cause injury to occupants in the immediate area or structural damage to the building. When the relief valve discharge piping goes upward, a thermal expansion control device shall be installed on the cold water distribution or service pipe in accordance with Section 607.3.2. If the discharge pipe is trapped, provisions shall be made to drain the low point of the trapped portion of the discharge pipe. (Effective January 1, 2007)

504.7 Required pan.
Pans shall be installed under storage-type water heaters or water storage tanks installed in attics or above ceilings. The pan shall be galvanized steel having a minimum thickness of 24 gauge, or other pans approved for such use. Pans are not required under tankless water heaters. (Effective January 1, 2007)

The above is the Amendments and here is the IPC that will help you further.

504.6 Requirements for discharge piping. The discharge
piping serving a pressure relief valve, temperature relief valve
or combination thereof shall:

Not be directly connected to the dfainage system.
Discharge through an air gap located in the same room as the water heater.
Not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the valve served and shall discharge full size to the air gap.
Serve a single relief device and shall not connect to piping serving any other relief device or equipment.
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.
Discharge in a manner that does not cause personal injury or structural damage.
Discharge·to a termination point that is readily obs~rvable by the building occupants.
Not be trapped:
Be installed so as to flow by gravity.
Not terminate more than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor or waste receptor.
Not have a threaded connection at the end of such piping.
Not have valves or tee fittings.
Be constructed· of those materials listed in Section 605.4 or materials tested, rated and approved for such use in accordance with ASME Al12.4.1.

**Dom D'Agostino** · 05-29-2011, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Charles Cleveland

I was wondering if this is an improper connection.

Seriously?

Yes, it's wrong.

You can look only at the details all day long, the "connection" is still wrong.

Dom.

**Jerry Peck** · 05-29-2011, 12:41 PM

As the others have said, there is nothing right about that; it all needs to be redone - properly.

James Duffin · 05-29-2011, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Ron Hasil

That is not proper at all. They will need to repar the vent stack, and properly termamte the T&P discharge pipe.

Here is sections in the Georgia State Amendments to the International Plumbing Code.

504.6 Requirements for discharge piping.

The relief valve shall discharge full size, separately to a safe place of disposal such as a concrete floor, outside the building, an indirect waste receptor, or other approved location. The discharge shall terminate in a manner that does not cause injury to occupants in the immediate area or structural damage to the building. When the relief valve discharge piping goes upward, a thermal expansion control device shall be installed on the cold water distribution or service pipe in accordance with Section 607.3.2. If the discharge pipe is trapped, provisions shall be made to drain the low point of the trapped portion of the discharge pipe. (Effective January 1, 2007)

504.7 Required pan.
Pans shall be installed under storage-type water heaters or water storage tanks installed in attics or above ceilings. The pan shall be galvanized steel having a minimum thickness of 24 gauge, or other pans approved for such use. Pans are not required under tankless water heaters. (Effective January 1, 2007)

The above is the Amendments and here is the IPC that will help you further.

504.6 Requirements for discharge piping. The discharge
piping serving a pressure relief valve, temperature relief valve
or combination thereof shall:

Not be directly connected to the dfainage system.
Discharge through an air gap located in the same room as the water heater.
Not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the valve served and shall discharge full size to the air gap.
Serve a single relief device and shall not connect to piping serving any other relief device or equipment.
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.
Discharge in a manner that does not cause personal injury or structural damage.
Discharge·to a termination point that is readily obs~rvable by the building occupants.
Not be trapped:
Be installed so as to flow by gravity.
Not terminate more than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor or waste receptor.
Not have a threaded connection at the end of such piping.
Not have valves or tee fittings.
Be constructed· of those materials listed in Section 605.4 or materials tested, rated and approved for such use in accordance with ASME Al12.4.1.

Those Georgia amendments are interesting. Thanks for posting them!