Water Heater Packing Material-Required Component?

[dtontarski]

I see these pieces of foam hung on water heater TPRV's all of the time. Do these serve some functional purpose, or were these simply placed on the valves to protect them during shipping?

Something I'

Download Attachment: IMG_1431.JPG

90.54 KBve always often wondered about and just getting around to asking about.

Any enlightenment would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Bill Kibbel]

I've always seen rigid polystyrene on them for packaging. I think what you're seeing is placed there by a local plumber. I'll bet the practice started after one caused a gash to his head.

[Tom Raymond]

That makes sense. I've seen pipe insulation used as bump protection lots of times, especially in group homes.

Tom

[Mark P]

I see these pieces of foam hung on water heater TPRV's all of the time. Do these serve some functional purpose, or were these simply placed on the valves to protect them during shipping?

Something I'

Download Attachment: IMG_1431.JPG

90.54 KBve always often wondered about and just getting around to asking about.

Any enlightenment would be appreciated.

Thanks

I see it all the time too, and always assumed it was packing material.

[Les]

it is.

[Les]

how silly would it be to insulate a calibrated temp and pressure relief valve. 1-800-call your atty.

[dtontarski]

Thanks everyone.

I hate to assume anything.

It's nice to have this forum to bounce even these simple everyday observances off.

There must be a lot of plumbers who gash their heads on these things in my area. They are on practically every new water heater I see.

Dave

[Inspectorjoe]

how silly would it be to insulate a calibrated temp and pressure relief valve. 1-800-call your atty.

I don't see how a bit of insulation on the exterior of the valve would affect the temperature at the probe, which of course is immersed within the tank.

I've seen that insulation a handful of times. I had always assumed it was a nervous-Nellie homeowner who did it.

[Chad Fabry]

That makes sense. I've seen pipe insulation used as bump protection lots of times, especially in group homes.

We're glad you're on your own now, Tom. Good job.

[Les]

supposedly it gets hot enough to hurt kids.

Joe,

The sensor is immersed.

Insulating it or covering it affects its operation. not much, but some. my comment was to get folks to think about it.

[Tom Raymond]

That makes sense. I've seen pipe insulation used as bump protection lots of times, especially in group homes.

We're glad you're on your own now, Tom. Good job.

Good thing I have plenty of pipe insulation handy for bumb protection, I walked right into that one.[b)]

Tom

[resqman]

I see it all the time on new construction. I assumed it was the plumber attempting to insulate the pipes from freezing.