Can anyone tell me if there is a limit to how many elbows can be in a hot water tank T&P drain pipe. I seem to recall that there is definitely a limit but I can not find the answer.
Thanks
Greg

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Greg Jenkins

4 elbows maximum.

30 feet long maximum, all down hill.

It's right on the tag. (It's also on the Watts website where the T&P valves are, at least it was years ago.)

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Thanks Jerry.
Is that 4 - 90's or any elbow?

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Greg Jenkins

It says 'four elbows', does not specify whether 90 or 45 - either would disrupt the flow to some extent and create a bit of back pressure, back pressure is one thing they do not want - get the water out and get it out fast.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Ok, we'll go with four of any elbows for now but I know I have read specific documentation on this subject before I just cann't seem to locate it. If any one else knows the specifics, please chime in. On this mornings inspection the pipe had three 90's and a 45 then they shot it straight thru the wall to the exterior but did not point it toward the ground. It also was not protected from freezing (but that's another issue).

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Greg Jenkins

Jerry
4 elbows: you got a code section # for that or is it only mafg inst. instructions?

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Jerry McCarthy
Construction Consultant
www.expertbuildingconsultants.com

Manufacturer's installation instructions, but ... since Greg's last post above I've off and on been trying to find it on the Watt's web site, however, it seems they are changed all the requirements now that the codes say that the T&P relief valve discharge line must terminate in the same room as the water heater is.

Attached is an older one, but I can no longer find that valve on Watts' web site.

Thus, on houses 'before' the newer codes (since 2000-2003) came into affect, the 30 feet and not more than four elbows was the rule (Watts' rule).

However, on newer homes, the 'shall terminate in the same room as the water heater is' is the rule (code).

Attached Images

is-n30.pdf (493.7 KB, 47 views)

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Here ya' go:

Watts Water Safety and Flow Control Products - balancing valve, ball valve, butterfly valve, check valve, relief valve, temperature gauge

I must of read that page 10 times last night and missed that 30' / 4 elbows part in there every time.

Glad to see it is still in there.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Interesting.... Under "REINSPECTION OF T&P RELIEF VALVES" it says you should pull the TPR valve once every three years and inspect it. I never knew that. Learn something new everyday.

Jeff Euriech
Peoria Arizona

Jeff,

Inspect every 3 years? Yeah, that's going to happen.

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The apostrophe troll.

I just remember it by doing it after every 36th time I test all of the my GFI's.... Is there an easier way?

Hi all,
first post and all but thought I would jump into the fray on this one. The 2003 IRC doesn't say anything about the drain "having" to terminate in the same room and the 2006 is no different. I know in my neck of the woods I rarely see it terminate indoors unless it is very difficult to get it to the outside.
From the IRC: "P2803.6.1 Requirements of discharge pipe.
The outlet of a pressure relief valve, temperature relief valve or combination thereof, shall not be directly connected to the drainage system. The discharge from the relief valve shall be piped full size separately to the floor, to the outside of the building or to an indirect waste receptor located inside the building. In areas subject to freezing, the relief valve shall discharge through an air gap into an indirect waste receptor located within a heated space, or by other approved means. The discharge shall be installed in a manner that does not cause personal injury or property damage and that is readily observable by the building occupants. The discharge from a relief valve shall not be trapped. The diameter of the discharge piping shall not be less than the diameter of the relief valve outlet. The discharge pipe shall be installed so as to drain by gravity flow and shall terminate atmospherically not more than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor. The outlet end of the discharge pipe shall not have a valve installed." Perhaps UPC areas say something different?

Richard, there is also #5 in the 2006.

5. 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.

#5 is applicable to the drain pan under the WH.

Where does it say that? The way I read it, all 13 items apply to the "discharge piping." No?

Charles,

#5 is referring to where the discharge from the air gap can discharge to.

FIRST do #2, THEN you have to drain that 'somewhere' and #5 tells you where you are allowed to drain that to.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Jerry, I see the "list" as what can and can not be done---I just don't see any if-then to the list. What you are saying may be what was "intended" by the change from 2003---but it is not what it says. I expect we will be seeing more clarification on this one. Like I said previously, I am not seeing any terminations on the interior of the home unless there is no other way to do it---of course not very many jurisdictions have adopted the 2006IRC in my area----none that I know of.

Charles,

Maybe it will help if I post it this way:

- 2006 IRC
- - P2803.6.1 Requirements for discharge pipe. (Jerry's note: The following *are* *requirements* for the relief valve discharge pipe.)