My question to the community is:
As we inspect both hot water furnaces and water heaters, should we check that the appropriate temperature rated TRP valve was installed?
How would you determine if the one installed has the correct rating?
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I feel like dunking, but I’ll resist. TRP != TPR
Unless someone has mounted a steam system TPR on the water heater, it should be fine. Manufacturers have been required to include them on their tanks since 1975, give or take. Few functional tanks should exist in the wild that don’t have a TPR. This is not to say some doofus hasn’t plugged it because it was dripping, but you should be able to see that anyway.
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My question to the OP was twofold, one how do you make that determination? This would require a full understanding of the manufacturer’s recommendations or requirements.
And this leads to my second point, should we report on the rating or could we report on the rating?
I have yet to encounter a standards of practice that requires ( should ) that an inspector report on the rating of a TPR valve. However, this doesn’t mean that you couldn’t report on that.
Personally, I do not report on the TPR rating. However I will report on any visible deficiencies such as leaking, improper drain, etc.
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No, with a minor exception.
We can take as a given that pretty much every tank we will see has a MFG installed TPR. Exceptions are possible of course, but we can’t have the exceptions define the rule.
The exception for me would be if the TPR looks out of place. You’ve got a grungy 20 year old tank and a brand new TPR. I do a 4pt inspection on most homes and you are required to report on the presence of a TPR. I do this by taking a picture of it, which includes that tin label thing. I then tick a box on the report, all good. My point is I’m going to look at the ratings on new TPR on an old tank. If I see 150PSI on there…shrug, I’m done. Much else, I’m going to research it and ask around.
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The same way you would any other appliance, you look at the data plate.
A residential water heater is easy enough, most are 150psi/210 degrees. A hot water boiler would require checking the manufacturers specs, which again, depends on how much you want to exceed the SOP.
We INSPECT to see if it is installed correctly. Aa stated there is no way to check the correctness of the specific part.
We REPORT if the installation is incorrect or the valve is leaking. Under no circumstances should we TEST the valve.
OBSERVE and REPORT if necessary only.
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Morning, Peter. Hope to find you well. Welcome to the InterNACHI members community forum. Pleasure meeting you.
Yes. Take an image.
The question you are asking is relatively easy. You read the boiler, not water furnace,and water heater, or any boiler or water heater TPV - TP data tags.
Water heaters data tag/label will be under the relief valve handle. Look closely and read the tag on the image I posted:-)
For more information try inspectapedia
A TPV (Temperature and Pressure Relief valve) data tag states the valve’s critical safety ratings.
The most prominent manufacturers of water heater TPV valves, Cash Acme and WATTS.
After getting an image take hot water headings at faucets. The faucet closest the water heater will likely be the best reading of the temperature in the vessel.
There is much more to it than this. If you wish further information. Post it in a logical and numerical sequenced please.
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A grungy old T&P valve should be just as out of place since it could indicate that it’s never had a biennial or quadrennial inspection or replacement.
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You can, but it’s going above and beyond the SOP.
Personally, I’ve never checked the rating of any TPR valve.
What I do is verify that one is installed, check to see if it’s leaking, and verify a proper extension pipe is attached to it.
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The question was for the OP. I am just going to stop letting them think for themselves and we can just serve the answers up on a platter. Since his original post, he has not returned. Why would he?
He asked about water heater furnaces and water heaters. I have seen enough variations not to assume a rating, although I agree that most fall within the parameters you mentioned.
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That’s the new way of “learning”, apparently.
Brian, good point and well taken. I started going down the rabbit hole and found articles revolving around the subject. Which then I realized that hours could be spent; but then again, I would archive my findings for future reference.
That was a Good one Mark! I just ordered a set of brakes for my mountain bike and they are TRP brand brakes. Darn acronyms. I see your point, but I also see newer TPR valves on older equipment in my neck of the woods. My concern is the DIYer who installs the incorrectly rated TPR valve. My concern is safety.
Here is one article I reviewed that brought me to the forum.
Plumbing NewsPlumbing, HVAC and Fire Protection Codes
Selecting the correct temperature and pressure relief valve
The safer choice.
By Donald Jones
The importance of installing the correct temperature and pressure relief valve on a water heater or hot-water storage tank cannot be overemphasized. This applies to new vessels as well as relief valve replacements. The importance of installing a valve with the correct pressure rating is common knowledge to many, but it also is crucial to install a valve with the appropriate relieving capacity rating. Many times the capacity factor is overlooked.
The code of construction of the vessel itself can play a key role in choosing the correct valve capacity. Unfortunately, the code of construction criteria is unknown to many and overlooked by others.
When I read this, I think Safety and Liability all in the same sentence.
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Thanks everyone, good responses and more for me to chew on!
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What does your SoP say?
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Good evening Lon, I am studying to become a Home Inspector. New Jersey’s SOP does not physically address the TPR valve. It states: “without operating automatic safety controls”. And no other verbiage on that subject matter. What triggered this question is that I have seen many furnaces in my day, (Many of those), that had new TPR valves installed on them. In fact I have replaced a few that leaked in my day on Hot Water Heaters. What made me dig deeper was an article about installing the correct TPR valve for the given equipment. I stopped and thought about it and it does make sense. Various equipment could have different specifications. Maybe I am digging too deep! I hope that I am not wasting everyone’s valuable time on this subject which I feel that I have been provided some great responses.
Thanks for checking in with me and I hope to meet you at one of the House of Horror training sessions. I just finished watching your video on inspecting furnaces.
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First, you can never dig too deep. Secondly, the TPR valve must match the application. That is always in the manufacturer’s instructions. Looking up the instructions is not just time consuming, but way beyond our SoP. For me, only if I have some reason to think a device is the wrong one for the application or installed incorrectly, do I go through the effort of researching it. I spent about 35 minutes researching a HRV a few days ago and another 20 minutes discussing it. Sheesh, no extra pay for that, but my client and myself are fully informed, now.
So kudos to you for looking into it.
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Thank you for the word of advice. I tend to dig into things, because I do not want to make a safety mistake.