Water Heater P+T Valve

[jeffc]

I hope this photo link works. This photo has two of my major pet peeves: P+T valve graded to back to the valve (water will pool on the backside of the P+T valve and rust out the spring) and Pex fittings reducing the internal P+T pipe diameter to less than 3/4". Can you count the other violations?


https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=dzBqVENROGswTElTVEl4ZkhyR3ZYX2l5eVQyWVVB

 

[classicT]

What is tied into the PT-valve piping (white 1/2" PEX)?

The plumbers tape "seismic strap" is worthless.
No expansion tank (does the AHJ have meters that allow backflow?)

 

[mtlogcabin]

It is a code violation if it does not drain away from the valve.
2012 IPC
504.6 Requirements for discharge piping.
The discharge piping serving a pressure relief valve, temperature relief valve or combination thereof shall:
1. Not be directly connected to the drainage system.
2. Discharge through an air gap located in the same room as the water heater.
3. Not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the valve served and shall discharge full size to the air gap.
4. Serve a single relief device and shall not connect to piping serving any other relief device or equipment.
5. Discharge to the floor, to the pan serving the water heater or storage tank, to a waste receptor or to the outdoors.
6. Discharge in a manner that does not cause personal injury or structural damage.
7. Discharge to a termination point that is readily observable by the building occupants.
8. Not be trapped.
9. Be installed so as to flow by gravity.
10. Not terminate more than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor or waste receptor.
11. Not have a threaded connection at the end of such piping.
12. Not have valves or tee fittings.
13. Be constructed of those materials listed in Section 605.4 or materials tested, rated and approved for such use in accordance with ASME A112.4.1.

 

[HForester]

And,

12. Not have valves or tee fittings.

 

[SCBO1]

Pex fittings reducing the internal P+T pipe diameter to less than 3/4".

I write the PEX up a lot and in your case it looks like the pipe has been reduced twice? Maybe down to 3/8 of an inch inside diameter at the tee fitting?

 

[HForester]

The 2018 IPC (and 2018 IRC) began to directly addresses this internal reduction issue:

14. Be one nominal size larger than the size of the relief valve outlet, where the relief valve discharge piping is installed with insert fittings. The outlet end of such tubing shall be fastened in place.

 

[SCBO1]

The outlet end of such tubing shall be fastened in place.

What does that mean exactly, Is there an illustration showing this?