Its proper functioning is the difference between a nice hot shower and an explosion.
Water heater pressure relief valve discharge pipe code.
Super hot and high pressure water gets released to keep the tank from exploding like a bomb.
Not be directly connected to the drainage system.
The temperature pressure relief valve tprv is an incredibly important life safety device on every water heater.
Not be directly connected to the drainage system.
So both the international residential code irc and the residential edition of the florida building code fbc p2804 6 1 have the following requirements to make sure that there are no obstructions or the possiblity of injury from the scalding water if the valve opens.
504 6 requirements for water heater tpr valve discharge piping.
Most residential water heaters have a 3 4 threaded opening for the discharge pipe.
Equal to the size of the valve outlet and shall discharge full size to the flood level of the area receiving the discharge and pointing down.
But if one does it s a big deal.
The discharge piping serving a pressure relief valve temperature relief valve or combination thereof shall.
608 5 discharge piping the discharge piping serving a temperature relief valve pressure relief valve or combination of both shall have no valves obstructions or means of isolation and be provided with the following.
The relief valve on your water heater has a pipe attached.
Unlike the expansion tank which is intended to protect the piping system from pressure the tprv protects the water heater tank from experiencing.
The discharge piping serving a temperature relief valve pressure relief valve or combination of both shall have no valves obstructions or means of isolation and be provided with the following.
Temperature pressure relief tpr valves rarely go off.
The relief valve shall conform to ansi z21 22.
The relief valve shall not be used as a means of controlling thermal expansion.
By code you have to run the same size as the opening which means the pipe needs to be 3 4 in diameter.
Discharge through an air gap located in the same room as the water heater.
The pipe itself needs to be either copper cpvc or galvanized water piping.