As home inspectors we are charged with carrying quite a bit of information packed into our heads Knowing rules, codes and specifications and how they apply helps in making observations.

I know for me that I learn certain rules and then I sometimes forget where I learned that rule. I have it in my report template or my head but sometimes forget where I got the information. Was a code, a manufacture spec was an exception to a code or a code in another section that relates etc…

When talking with a very good local plumber on a situation on a TPR (Temperature, Pressure Relief) discharge point. We had a conversation on whether you could discharge to a floor or does it have to be to a drain, or exterior, or other approved point.

Now this is where my brain got fuzzy. I said I think it can go to the floor. The plumber said per UPC code it must be to a drain or other proper discharge point. So he got me thinking and that always hurts!

Well I get home and decide to do some research and find that we were both correct… but! Washington State has adopted the UPC with some amendments. And one of the amendments is that you may discharge to the floor when it was replacement equipment.

So here is the 2012 UPC amendment for Washington State (Bold and Underline is mine)

608.5 Drains. Relief valves located inside a building shall be provided with a drain, not smaller than the relief valve outlet, of galvanized steel, hard drawn copper piping and fittings, CPVC, or listed relief valve drain tube with fittings which will not reduce the internal bore of the pipe or tubing (straight lengths as opposed to coils) and shall extend from the valve to the outside of the building with the end of the pipe not more than two (2) feet (610 mm) nor less than six (6) inches (152 mm) above the ground or the flood level of the area receiving the discharge and pointing downward. Such drains may terminate at other approved locations. No part of such drain pipe shall be trapped or subject to freezing. The terminal end of the drain pipe shall not be threaded.

Exception: Replacement water heating equipment shall only be required to provide a drain pointing downward from the relief valve to extend between two feet (610 mm) and six inches (152 mm) from the floor. No additional floor drain need be provided.

“The learning and knowledge that we have, is, at the most, but little compared with that of which we are ignorant.”

Plato

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

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