Has anyone come across this on a water heater? I’ve been seeing them more and more - it’s flimsy polypropylene tube, sold at Home Depot
Home Depot drain tube
It’s flimsy, and I can’t believe it’s rated for a TPR valve extension. And it’s “finger-tight”.
yes, completely legal to use. its actually the only type of pipe that should be on a tpr valve. and yes only hand tight.
as it does not have water in it in most cases. no need to worry about it leaking.
Why is that William?
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You nailed it Brian! Any one of those materials can be used.PEX has some additional requirements as with any other pipe that uses insert fittings.
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Yep, pipe diameter reduction is not allowed. I see it occasionally, mark the defect and move on.
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Now let’s see if all the inspectors that claim we are not code inspectors play pile on. This is why I purposely did not post the code, some of us get triggered 
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Maybe this will cool them off. We can all read installation instructions.
But wait, we are generalists! LOL.
This is from an AO Smith install manual
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Black iron pipe. Looks like some teeny tiny copper pipe coming off that valve.
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Yup, too small. Call the code police! 
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Wow - I had not seen that! It just feels very flimsy, compared to copper or CPVC! And no - it isn’t a matter of calling out a code violation - it’s a safety thing. I want to make sure this thing doesn’t burn someone! Thank you for posting the citations!
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Seems like some are “triggered” because they are not code inspectors and can’t stand being reminded.
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I don’t think your code police travel to my neck of the woods…Lol!! I did recommend the whole water heater system be replaced to today’s IRC/IBC standards. Of course they don’t really have to do squat here regarding that.
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Bingo! I think it was a great question from the start.
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We are like parents telling our children,You really should listen to me because “I told you so” is coming next.
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The IPC reads differently from ASME A112.4.1 (250 F). In the Code and Commentary 2015 version the IPC says that TPR discharge piping must be rated for 100 psi at 180 F. Even though TPR valves are set to open at 210 F, flexible and plastic pipes will only be exposed to these higher temperatures for a short time.
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