Questions regarding flexible hot water heater pipe. I do not see it approved in either the (IPC) or (FBC) for the use as a hot water heater discharge pipe. Plumber stating that it is an approved material. I know the installation method is incorrect due to 3/4 -1/2 but unsure about the actual plumbing type. I’ll attach photos for reference. So is flexible piping acceptable for TPR discharge pipe? Thank you.
Just my assessment but it is a flexible potable hot and/or cold water heater connection tubing with screw on fittings, “Not for discharging TPRV water/stream.”
Glean asme 112.18.6.
Operating Temp. 140 °F - 180 intermittent.
125 PSI MAX
WATTS TPRV: Rated at 150 PSI before it operates. 210°F
(Call it out)
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504.6 Requirements for discharge piping. The discharge
piping serving a pressure relief valve, temperature relief
valve or combination thereof shall:
- Not be directly connected to the drainage system.
- Discharge through an air gap located in the same
room as the water heater. - Not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the
valve served and shall discharge full size to the air
gap.
4 Serve a single relief device and shall not connect to
piping serving any other relief device or equipment. - Discharge to the floor, to the pan serving the water
heater or storage tank, to a waste receptor or to the
outdoors. - Discharge in a manner that does not cause personal
injury or structural damage. - Discharge to a termination point that is readily
observable by the building occupants. - Not be trapped.
- Be installed so as to flow by gravity.
- Terminate not more than 6 inches (152 mm) above
and not less than two times the discharge pipe diameter
above the floor or flood level rim of the waste
receptor.
11. Not have a threaded connection at the end of such piping. - Not have valves or tee fittings.
- Be constructed of those materials listed in Section
605.4 or materials tested, rated and approved for such
use in accordance with ASME A112.4.1. - Be one nominal size larger than the size of the relief
valve outlet, where the relief valve discharge piping is
installed with insert fittings. The outlet end of such
tubing shall be fastened in place.
605.4 Water distribution pipe. Water distribution pipe and
tubing shall conform to NSF 61 and shall conform to one of
the standards listed in Table 605.4. Hot water distribution
pipe and tubing shall have a pressure rating of not less than
100 psi (690 kPa) at 180ºF (82ºC).
TABLE 605.4
WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPE
MATERIAL STANDARD
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic pipe and tubing ASTM D2846; ASTM F441; ASTM F442; CSA B137.6
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride/aluminum/chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
(CPVC/AL/CPVC)
ASTM F2855
Copper or copper-alloy pipe ASTM B42; ASTM B302; ASTM B43
Copper or copper-alloy tubing (Type K, WK, L, WL, M or WM) ASTM B75; ASTM B88; ASTM B251; ASTM B447
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plastic tubing ASTM F876; CSA B137.5
Cross-linked polyethylene/aluminum/cross-linked polyethylene
(PEX-AL-PEX) pipe ASTM F1281; ASTM F2262; CSA B137.10
Cross-linked polyethylene/aluminum/high-density polyethylene
(PEX-AL-HDPE)
ASTM F1986
Ductile iron pipe AWWA C151/A21.51; AWWA C115/A21.15
Galvanized steel pipe ASTM A53
Polyethylene/aluminum/polyethylene (PE-AL-PE) composite pipe ASTM F1282
Polyethylene of raised temperature (PE-RT) plastic tubing ASTM F2769; CSA B137.158
Polypropylene (PP) plastic pipe or tubing ASTM F2389; CSA B137.11
Stainless steel pipe (Type 304/304L) ASTM A312; ASTM A778
Stainless steel pipe (Type 316/316L) ASTM A312; ASTM A778
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The threaded connector on the free end disqualifies it right away (#11).
Not on the list of approved materials for TPR pipe. (2018 IPC)
It could always look like this - -
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I think it’s time for you to find a new plumber friend. Ask the plumber to send you a code reference for this material. It sure looks like a braided water connector and not a relief valve discharge pipe material.
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Not my plumber friend❌. Thank you for posting manufactures guidelines.
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Using that for TPRV discharge is so ridiculous, I wouldn’t even spend my time trying to convince the plumber. Just tell your client it is wrong in multiple ways and should be changed.
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Agreed, it took longer and used more fittings to make that setup “function”.
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