Thread: I don't see a lot of these.

I saw this on a pair of water heaters today. Powered water heater flue vent. A room up above that prevented a natural draft, so the flues were routed directly horizontal exiting through a wall to the exterior. This device on the bottom of the heater I guess is some cirulcation device ? Anybody know ?

SELECT

® POWER VENT

GAS

• Permits combined horizontal and vertical vent runs up to 80 feet using
Schedule 40 PVC, CPVC or ABS pipe

State Industries | Literature | Catalogs

Gene, take a look at this from the State website.

The drains on the TPR valves are wrong.

Mark

Allmark Home Inspections Inc.
Allmark Home Inspections Illinois

Why wrong Mark. Looks like CVPV.

I believe that the relief valve drain lines need to discharge through an air-gap when the discharge outlet is in a different room from the water heater. Section P2803.6.1(2) in the 2006 IRC Residential Code

Is this discharge acceptable to y'all?
It's common practice for the TPR drains to run through walls from our attics and garages to the exterior as depicted.

Originally Posted by James Duffin

I believe that the relief valve drain lines need to discharge through an air-gap when the discharge outlet is in a different room from the water heater. Section P2803.6.1(2) in the 2006 IRC Residential Code

That cite has to do with it terminating into an indirect waste connection. Without looking up the details, I belive Watts allows for no more than 4- 90 degree elbows and no more than a 30' run with a Watts 210 valve.

The problem I see with that setup are the CPVC connections to the copper. It sure does look like it is connected to a threaded end on the copper pipe. So if it is, all a handy dandy person would need to do is to remove the CPVC line and thread on a valve to the end of the copper and they would have instant hot water when the TPRV is opened!

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

Without looking up the details, I belive Watts allows for no more than 4- 90 degree elbows and no more than a 30' run ...

Used to be that way for all T&P valves, for decades, then, 2003 I think, they changed to 'must terminate within the same room or space into', then the option given.

Before 2003 in the ICC codes, maximum 4 elbows (did not specify 90 degree) and maximum 30 feet of run - based on Watts installation instructions and what was written on every tag on every T&P valve.

No references here just a question. I did read something about an air gap. Unless that airgap was at the last 6" of the pipe would not not defeat the purpose of the TPRV pipe discharging within 6" of the floor. Or is that now why that is not required???

Paul,

The codes used to say that the discharge end had to be within 6" of the floor, ground, etc. This was for safety reasons.

Watts used to say that the discharge end should have at least 6" between the end and the floor, ground, etc. This was to make sure that there was nothing which would cause a back pressure when the T&P was releasing, Watts wanted the T&P to release to "atmosphere" (atmospheric pressure only).

Thus, the old rule was 6" (no tolerance) as the codes wanted *within 6"* and Watts wanted *at least 6"*.

I see a lot of TPR valve extension tubes discharging so close to the floor that a spray of the pressurized hot water is most likely.
I see to remember that the extension tube was to be between 6" & 24" off the floor.
Am I wrong?

There does not appear to be a recirc line nor pump in the photos, however the you will want to make sure that the plastic vents are not PLEXVENT types which were recalleds several years back (due to cracking).

Just a dumb observation but, why does it appear there is a Christmas wreath hanging in the same room as two gas appliances?

One picture shows water flowing from the TPR outlet at the exterior. Do you activate these during inspections? Just my $0.02, but I think you are asking for trouble by activating these. We are not "required" to do so here.

Thanks,
-Dave

I think the Texas guys are required to.

The problem I see with that setup are the CPVC connections to the copper. It sure does look like it is connected to a threaded end on the copper pipe. So if it is, all a handy dandy person would need to do is to remove the CPVC line and thread on a valve to the end of the copper and they would have instant hot water when the TPRV is opened!

Scott, isn't the T&P valve threaded? Handy dandy could do the same there.

Originally Posted by bruce m graham III

I think the Texas guys are required to.

Yep, we do...

RULE §535.229

Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Mechanical Systems: Appliances, Cooling Systems, Heating Systems, Ducts, Vents and Flues, and Plumbing Systems

(k) Water heaters. The inspector shall:
(1) report the energy source;

(2) inspect the unit and report as in need of repair fittings that leak or are corroded;

(3) report as in need of repair temperature and pressure relief valve piping that lacks gravity drainage, is improperly sized (no smaller than the outlet fittings), has deficiencies in material, or lacks a correct termination;

(4) report as in need of repair a temperature and pressure relief valve that does not operate when the valve is of an operable type and operation will not cause damage to persons or property as reasonably determined by the inspector (for example, it would be reasonable not to operate the valve if there is improper or undetermined termination of the drain pipe, a corroded or damaged valve, improper installation of valve or drain pipe, the drain pipe is of inappropriate material or there is no water supply cut-off valve at the unit);

(5) report as in need of repair any broken or missing parts, covers or controls;

(6) report as in need of repair deficiencies in the burner, flame and burner compartment, the operation of heating elements and the condition of wiring;

(7) report as in need of repair deficiencies in materials used for the gas branch line and the connection to the appliance, the absence of a gas shut-off valve, or a valve that is not properly located, is inaccessible, or leaks;

(8) if applicable, report as in need of repair deficiencies in the vent pipe, draft diverter, draft hood and their condition, draft, proximity to combustibles and vent termination point, observing for adequate combustion and draft air;

(9) report as in need of repair the lack of a safety pan and drain (including the termination of the drain line) when applicable;

(10) report as in need of repair an unsafe location or installation; and

(11) inspect garage units or units which are located in rooms or enclosures opening into a garage and report as in need of repair the following:
(A) a lack of protection for physical damage to the unit; and
(B) burners, burner ignition devices or heating elements, switches or thermostats that are not a minimum of 18 inches above the lowest garage floor elevation.

So, even if I can see the drain termination point to the exterior, I do not release TPR valves with units installed in the attic.

Rich

Know where the drain line terminates before you open the T&P Valve, someone could get a soaking.

rick