Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: drip legs

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    WESTMINSTER CO
    Posts
    1,152

    Default drip legs

    guys--1995 townhouse with unconventional drip legs

    cvf

    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Member Benefits1

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Posts
    1,088

    Default Re: drip legs

    Not only unconventional, but also wrong.

    2419.4 Where a sediment trap is not incorportated as part of the appliance, a sediment trap shall be installed downstream of the appliance shuttoff valve as close to the inlet of the appliance as practical. The sediment trap shall be either a tee fitting having a capped nipple of any length installed vertically in the bottom most opening of the tee or other device approved as an effective sediment trap. Illuminating appliances, ranges, clothes dryers, and outdoor grills need not be so equipped.

    "The Code is not a peak to reach but a foundation to build from."

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: drip legs

    As installed, that dead end (not calling it a drip leg) is nothing more than a particle accelerator with a built in random collider refractor to reflect the particles back out of the collider and down into the vertical trap for testing (testing to see how long it takes to clog up the gas controller valve).



    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    WESTMINSTER CO
    Posts
    1,152

    Default Re: drip legs

    JERRY

    say what--does that mean what i wrote up that it is wrong and needs to be repaired

    cvf


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: drip legs

    Both the WH and furnace are wrong,
    Both need a sediment trap installed between the shutoff valve and the appliance.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: drip legs

    Quote Originally Posted by CHARLIE VAN FLEET View Post
    JERRY

    say what--does that mean what i wrote up that it is wrong and needs to be repaired

    cvf
    Yes, it is wrong and needs to be replaced.

    I was referring to the long gas line as a particle accelerator as it allows sediment particles in the gas to accelerate, then those particles collide with the end cap (the collider) and then bounce back into the gas going down to the appliance.

    Yesterday, my 8 year old granddaughter and I watched a program on two particle accelerators, one of them was the largest in the world ( The Large Hadron Collider | CERN ). They were still in my mind when I was replying - sorry about that.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Cape Cod, Massachusetts
    Posts
    614

    Default Re: drip legs

    I happen to be one of those people that believe the requirement for a drip leg in gas piping systems is ridiculous.

    I spent more than 15 years designing HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems and have never once heard of any issues with sediment build up in gas pipes drip legs. So if a drip leg is something you get hung up about, can anyone tell me how long the drip leg should be and how often one should remove sediment build up in a drip leg??

    Nonsense!! Archaic and not required.

    Ken Amelin
    Cape Cod's Best Inspection Services
    www.midcapehomeinspection.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: drip legs

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Amelin View Post
    I happen to be one of those people that believe the requirement for a drip leg in gas piping systems is ridiculous.

    I spent more than 15 years designing HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems and have never once heard of any issues with sediment build up in gas pipes drip legs. So if a drip leg is something you get hung up about, can anyone tell me how long the drip leg should be and how often one should remove sediment build up in a drip leg??

    Nonsense!! Archaic and not required.
    Are you referring to a drip leg or a sediment trap? Sediment trap ... you already knew that with your experience ... right?

    Regarding the length of the sediment trap leg, many manufacturers state (show) in their drawings that they want 3" minimum between the edge of the cap and the edge of the tee (i.e., a 4" nipple would provide that or close to it). But you already knew that with your experience ... right?

    By the way, you should already know this with your experience designing such systems, but the code states the sediment trap nipple shall be of any length, so that takes you back to the installation instructions ... but you already knew that with your experience ... right?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Near Philly, Pa.
    Posts
    1,682

    Thumbs down Re: drip legs

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Amelin View Post
    I happen to be one of those people that believe the requirement for a drip leg in gas piping systems is ridiculous.

    I spent more than 15 years designing HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems and have never once heard of any issues with sediment build up in gas pipes drip legs. So if a drip leg is something you get hung up about, can anyone tell me how long the drip leg should be and how often one should remove sediment build up in a drip leg??

    Nonsense!! Archaic and not required.
    Very nice Ken. I'm sure all those people who suffered fires, explosions, delayed ignition or sooting appreciate your indignation. However, the efficacy of a proper sediment trap has been proven to protect gas valves against solid as well as liquid foreign matter. As a quality assurance manager for a major gas appliance mfr. and now as a consultant for product liability litigation I can assure you they do have a place and are justified. Personally, I don't share your sarcasm.

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    47

    Question Re: drip legs

    Years ago( before I knew anything) my old furnace would cycle on-click-off-on-click-off, etc. My heating repair friend found that the ports were clogged with tiny debris. He cleaned them out and installed a sediment trap. All was well with the world once again.
    I was wondering when sediment traps became required in California. I'm having a "discussion" with an agent about this subject.
    Thank you!


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Cape Cod, Massachusetts
    Posts
    614

    Default Re: drip legs

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Harper View Post
    Very nice Ken. I'm sure all those people who suffered fires, explosions, delayed ignition or sooting appreciate your indignation. However, the efficacy of a proper sediment trap has been proven to protect gas valves against solid as well as liquid foreign matter. As a quality assurance manager for a major gas appliance mfr. and now as a consultant for product liability litigation I can assure you they do have a place and are justified. Personally, I don't share your sarcasm.
    I realize that I was a "Bit" sarcastic with my previous comment and I apologize for that (I may have been too quick with the send button), but my opinion remains the same. I believe the "drip leg" or "sediment trap" was needed years ago when only metal pipe was used for main distribution in the street and in the home and the gas supply contained more moisture. Today the gas supply is much cleaner and dry with most grid piping now synthetic and distribution in the home is flexible stainless. Some limited use of legacy black iron remains for penetrations or connections but is disappearing. Older requirements for sediment traps or (drip legs ) should be questioned and revisited.

    Ken Amelin
    Cape Cod's Best Inspection Services
    www.midcapehomeinspection.com

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    NoCal
    Posts
    261

    Default Re: drip legs

    Plumbing code and manufacturers both require it. I have seen a number of gas fired furnaces that have intermittent ignition, pulsating flame, on and off cycles, and other peculiar workings. One, at a home I was inspecting, and called attention to the heater firing intermittently (which also had no sediment trap), the owner quickly called out HVAC who confirmed that the valve was clogged or obstructed, and he began the repair - as I recall it was $300 or $400 for the repair.
    Maybe brand new equipment, brand new piping, clean and dry gas from the supplier may minimize the need for sediment traps....but, I inspect lots of older properties, and see quite a lot of misbehaving gas appliances, almost all of which had no sediment traps.
    Seems reasonable that given the requirement for, the demonstration of problem equipment, and the relatively minor cost to install....why wouldn't you put into your report: "Lack of a proper gas sediment trap at the appliance. Recommend correction." Sure you can go into a lengthy explanation, but it mostly is not necessary to do so. Clients get it when you quickly explain why - so just back it up in your report with a quick comment. These are relatively easy fixes, and there are probably a lot more about the house that needs a greater deal of your attention.


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    47

    Default Re: drip legs

    I was just wondering WHEN sediment traps became required?


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    NoCal
    Posts
    261

    Default Re: drip legs

    My 1958 UPC only talks about a drip leg (when water vapor is present in the fuel gas).
    Nothing about a sediment trap.
    Perhaps that was left up to the manufacturers of the time.


Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •