Water heater pressure relief valve discharge pipe code

by Nick Gromicko, CMI® and Kenton Shepard

Temperature/pressure-relief or TPR valves are safety devices installed on water heating appliances, such as boilers and domestic water supply heaters. TPRs are designed to automatically release water in the event that pressure or temperature in the water tank exceeds safe levels.

If temperature sensors and safety devices such as TPRs malfunction, water in the system may become superheated (exceed the boiling point). Once the tank ruptures and water is exposed to the atmosphere, it will expand into steam almost instantly and occupy approximately 1,600 times its original volume. This process can propel a heating tank like a rocket through multiple floors, causing personal injury and extensive property damage. 

Water-heating appliance explosions are rare due to the fact that they require a simultaneous combination of unusual conditions and failure of redundant safety components. These conditions only result from extreme negligence and the use of outdated or malfunctioning equipment.

The TPR valve will activate if either water temperature (measured in degrees Fahrenheit) or pressure (measured in pounds per square inch [PSI]) exceed safe levels. The valve should be connected to a discharge pipe (also called a drain line) that runs down the length of the water heater tank. This pipe is responsible for routing hot water released from the TPR to a proper discharge location.

It is critical that discharge pipes meet the following requirements, which can be found in InterNACHI’s Water Heater Discharge Piping mini-course, at www.nachi.org/education. A discharge pipe should: 

1. be constructed of an approved material, such as CPVC, copper, polyethylene, galvanized steel, polypropylene, or stainless steel. PVC and other non-approved plastics should not be used since they can easily melt.
2. not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the valve it serves (usually no smaller than 3/4").
3. not reduce in size from the valve to the air gap (point of discharge).
4. be as short and as straight as possible so as to avoid undue stress on the valve.
5. be installed so as to drain by flow of gravity.
6. not be trapped, since standing water may become contaminated and backflow into the potable water.
7. discharge to a floor drain, to an indirect waste receptor, or to the outdoors. 
8. not be directly connected to the drainage system to prevent backflow of potentially contaminating the potable water.
9. discharge through a visible air gap in the same room as the water-heating appliance.
10. be first piped to an indirect waste receptor such as a bucket through an air gap located in a heated area when discharging to the outdoors in areas subject to freezing, since freezing water could block the pipe.
11. not terminate more than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor or waste receptor.
12. discharge in a manner that could not cause scalding.
13. discharge in a manner that could not cause structural or property damage.
14. discharge to a termination point that is readily observable by occupants, because discharge indicates that something is wrong, and to prevent unobserved termination capping.
15. be piped independently of other equipment drains, water heater pans, or relief valve discharge piping to the point of discharge.
16. not have valves anywhere.
17. not have tee fittings.
18. not have a threaded connection at the end of the pipe so as to avoid capping.

Leakage and Activation

A properly functioning TPR valve will eject a powerful jet of hot water from the discharge pipe when fully activated, not a gentle leak. A leaky TPR valve is an indication that it needs to be replaced. In the rare case that the TPR valve does activate, the homeowner should immediately shut off the water and contact a qualified plumber for assistance and repair.

Inspectors should recommend that homeowners test TPR valves monthly, although inspectors should never do this themselves. The inspector should demonstrate to the homeowner how the main water supply can be shut off, and explain that it can be located at the home's main water supply valve, or at the water supply shut-off for the appliance on which the TPR is mounted.

TPR Data Plate Information

• The pressure at which a TPR valve will activate is printed on a data plate located beneath the test lever. This amount should not exceed the working pressure limit marked on the data plate of the water-heating appliance it serves.
• The BTU/HR rating marked on the water-heating appliance data plate should not exceed that of the TPR, which is marked on the TPR data plate.
• TPR valves with missing data plates should be replaced.

Although a TPR valve might never become activated, it is an essential safety component on boilers and domestic water heaters. Guidelines concerning these valves and their discharge pipes reflect real hazards that every homeowner and home inspector should take seriously. More information about this subject can be found in InterNACHI's Water Heater Discharge Piping mini-course, InterNACHI's Plumbing Inspection course or by contacting a qualified plumber. 

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