Brian G Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 #1. Why would any intelligent person do this? #2. The water heater is sitting in a drain pan, which has a drain line to the exterior. Can the relief valve piping just run down to the pan and use that drain line to reach the exterior, or does it need to go all the way out itself? Needless to say, the pan's drain line is regular PVC. #3. Why would any intelligent person do this? Brian G. "God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." [:-boggled] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonTx Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 About 90 to 95% of the new homes here have the water heater in the attic. Builders say it's because no one wants them taking up their precious space in the garage. 90 to 95% of new homeowners don't want them in their attics because they know what can happen in case of a major leak. Seems like I've read either a water heater manufacturers installation instructions or a t&p valve makers instructions that say these things must have a seperate line plumbed to the outside. I can't remember, I just call them out if they're stupid enough to run them this way. A few builders will even put the poly pan underneath new gas water heaters in the attics. As for #3, I think builders think they look cool in the attic and that Chicks dig 'em. Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul MacLean Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Originally posted by Donald Lawson About 90 to 95% of the new homes here have the water heater in the attic. Builders say it's because no one wants them taking up their precious space in the garage. 90 to 95% of new homeowners don't want them in their attics because they know what can happen in case of a major leak. Seems like I've read either a water heater manufacturers installation instructions or a t&p valve makers instructions that say these things must have a seperate line plumbed to the outside. I can't remember, I just call them out if they're stupid enough to run them this way. A few builders will even put the poly pan underneath new gas water heaters in the attics. Donald What Donald said. Here the T&P drainpipes and the pan drainpipes are plumbed separately to the exterior. Frankly, I've never seen the water heater in the attic cause a problem, but I've seen lots of ceiling damage from AC's in the attic. I take it back. My son had to have his attic water heater replaced and the plumber stepped through the ceiling trying to get the new one up there. Call out the lack of a safe walkway and work platform. I write up missing walkways and platforms all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonTx Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Most plumbers I know will also charge more to replace a water heater in the attic than one on a floor space. Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusty Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 The IRC allows the TPR discharge to the Smitty pan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 Just had my water heater replaced (in the attic)for $760. I was not about to attempt it and would have paid just about anything the plumber wanted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 IRC wants the PT relief discharge to terminate outside or to a "waste receptor" or "other approved means". A waste receptor is supposed to be trapped, and of capacity to receive whatever waste without oversplashing. Having seen one of these valves blow due to excess temp, I don't think the drips catch pan under the heater would qualify as an appropriate receptor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G Posted August 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 Ah-so. Very interesting Jim. I'll look into that, it may be just what I need to reject that silly set up in the future. Brian G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusty Posted August 24, 2004 Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 I tend to agree Jim. I know the UPC which we still operate under out here prohibits the use of the drain pan as the discharge receptor for the TPR valve but I thought I knew that the IRC allows it. Then for awhile, as I looked for the reference, I thought I was only having some serious flashbacks from the 60's. I finally found it in the IRC Study Guide. Gawd I'll be glad when I only have to know one code. Download Attachment: IRC hwt.jpg 135.89 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G Posted August 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 What if the line from the drip pan is not rated for hot water? If the TPR line must be so rated and the drip pan can be the receptor, wouldn't the line from the pan need the same rating? Otherwise the temp requirement for the TPR line is meaningless, no? [:-boggled] Brian G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusty Posted August 24, 2004 Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 Good observation Brian. P2803.6.2 Relief valve drains. Relief valve drains shall comply with Section P2904.5 or ASME A112.4.1. My interpretation is the same as yours Brian. 2904.5 deals with water distribution, not drains. I would say the intent is that the drain pipe be acceptable for hot water distribution, or indeed it would be worthless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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