Can the TPR extension for the water heater have elbows routing it to a drain and if so is there limit on how many? The water heater I inspected today had 5 elbow 90 degree turns before draining into the floor drain…thanks ahead of time
Yes, I know of no limit to the number. It must gravity drain and not be restricted.
Depending upon the direction of the turns…for the water must be able to flow by gravity…there are no limits to numbers in the IRC or UPC, but there must be an air gap between the end of the pipe and top of the drain to ensure that it can be viewed and will not be blocked.
[FONT=Times New Roman][size=2][FONT=Arial][size=1][FONT=Arial][size=1]2006 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE@[/size][/size][/FONT][/FONT][/size][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]
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[size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]**P2803.6.1 Requirements for discharge pipe. **[/size][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]The discharge [/size][/FONT][size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]piping sewing a pressure-relief valve, temperaturerelief valve or combination valve shall:[/size][/FONT]
[size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]1. Not be directly connected to the drainage system.[/FONT][/size]
[size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]2. Discharge through an air gap located in the same room as the water heater.
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Not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the valve served and shall discharge full size to the air gap.
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Serve a single relief device and shall not connect to piping sewing any other relief device or equipment.
[/FONT][/size][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]5. [/size][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]Discharge to the floor, to an indirect waste receptor [/size][/FONT][size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]or to the outdoors. Where discharging to the outdoors in areas subject to freezing, discharge piping shall be first piped to an indirect waste receptor through an air gap located in a conditioned area.[/size][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]6. [/size][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]Discharge in a manner that does not cause personal [/size][/FONT][size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]injury or structural damage.[/size][/FONT]
[size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]7. Discharge to a termination point that is readily observable by the building occupants.[/FONT][/size]
[FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]8. [/size][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]Not be trapped.[/size][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]9. [/size][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]Be installed to flow by gravity.[/size][/FONT]
[size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]**10. Not terminate more than **[/FONT][/size][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]**6 **[/size][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]**inches (152 mm) above **[/size][/FONT][size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]the floor or waste receptor.[/size][/FONT]
[size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]1 1. Not have a threaded connection at the end of the piping.[/FONT][/size]
[size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]12. Not have valves or tee fittings.[/FONT][/size]
[size=2][FONT=Times New Roman]13. Be constructed of those materials listed in Section P2904.5 or materials tested, rated and approved for such use in accordance with [/FONT][/size][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]ASME [/size][/FONT][FONT=Arial][size=1]A1 [/size][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][size=2]12.4.1.[/size][/FONT]
While there don’t seem to be rules regarding the number of elbows, as a practical matter four 90s seems to be a good indicater of the ability to flow unrestricted.
It shouldn’t be reduced and or have threads providing opportunity to cap.