Condensate Drain/Pipe Chase/Floodingof ground floor unit in Existing Condo Building

[new.bee]

My apologies if this is the wrong forum, but I desperately need your advice.

A condo unit on the "ground floor" gets regularly flooded during the cooling season from condensate from the wall convector units in the 12 stories above. There's a main drain pipe which runs vertically through the pipe chases between the condo units. The original main drain pipe is not functional anymore, presumably because it's corroded shut. There are some flexible "bypass" PVC pipes, but they don't work properly to direct the condensate into the main drain pipe. As a result, condensate collects at the bottom of the pipe chase, where the floor condo unit located. Also, condensate from all the floors above drains into the drain pan of the convector unit of the bottom condo unit, which can't handle all the condensate. As a result, water seeps into the unit.

To make matters worse, in one of the pipe chases the water has created a huge hole through which one can see the parking garage and refuse collection area that's beneath the condo.

Questions:

1. Is this kind of pipe chase/drain against plumbing or any other code?

2. Is the fact that there is a large hole in one of the chases to the garage below, a violation of fire code?

The owner has been fighting with the condo association for years to fix the problem but to no avail.

Thanks so much!

 

[globe trekker]

new.bee,

Welcome to the Building Codes Forum!

1. The original design of the condensate pipe drain in the chase may, or may not have

been compliant at the time it was installed. I do not know the codes or standards under

which it was designed, built or inspected, if at all!

2. Yes, the hole in the floor is a violation of the Property Maintence codes, if there are

any adopted in your location.

Lot's of variable in your questions! Sounds like other violations in the fire separtion

requirements for the "underneath" Parking Area. Possible structural violations too!

Has the owner sought relief thru (possible) litigation?

.

 

[new.bee]

new.bee,Welcome to the Building Codes Forum!

1. The original design of the condensate pipe drain in the chase may, or may not have

been compliant at the time it was installed. I do not know the codes or standards under

which it was designed, built or inspected, if at all!

2. Yes, the hole in the floor is a violation of the Property Maintence codes, if there are

any adopted in your location.

Lot's of variable in your questions! Sounds like other violations in the fire separtion

requirements for the "underneath" Parking Area. Possible structural violations too!

Has the owner sought relief thru (possible) litigation?

.

I was a potential buyer but walked away from the sale; however, I'm still interested in the condo. The owner has said that she has gone to court, but she seems to complain about anything and everything in a very rambly and not too effective way, so her legitimate complaints are not being addressed.

What is property maintenance code? I was thinking that the hole might be a fire code violation.

Also forgot to mention that there are electrical outlet boxes in one chase and the concrete blocking is missing in the other.

Anyways, what would be the first step to figure out whether there are code violations that have to be addressed? (Of course, the flooding problem could be fixed by making a hole in the second pipe chase and have the water drain into the garage there, too.) Is there a way to attach pictures?

 

[globe trekker]

new.bee,

The Property Maintenance Code is a standard that is used to maintain various types

of properties. See this link: Free Codes

In regard to your seeking direction for the first step, someone who knows codes &

standards really well would need to be brought in to the discussion. This person or

persons, would also need, IMO, to have some knowledge of the particular

structure your are referring to, ..either by reviewing as built drawings of the entire

structure, ..by direct affiliation to the project, or other.

If you are the one starting a "due diligence" search for answers, just realize that

you are undertaking a daunting task, down a long path.

Regarding posting pictures on this website, .."yes", pictures can be psoted on here.

I am not literate enough to know how to do that yet, but if you will perform a

search function on here, there have been instructions given & discussions had on

how to do it successfully. Maybe someone else will chime in to offer the links

regarding the psoting of pictures on here.

Also, ..might I strongly encourage you to become a Sawhorse (i.e. - a paid member)

on this Forum! It is THE BEST on the internet!

.