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Water Heaters Cause Floods. Avoiding the Risk is Simple

The location of your water heaters matters more than you might think. So often tucked away in closets inside living spaces, it is easy to overlook their proper installation and maintenance. However, an improperly installed water heater can lead to serious issues. That’s where the temperature and pressure relief valve comes in—it’s a critical safety […]

water heater

The location of your water heaters matters more than you might think. So often tucked away in closets inside living spaces, it is easy to overlook their proper installation and maintenance. However, an improperly installed water heater can lead to serious issues. That’s where the temperature and pressure relief valve comes in—it’s a critical safety feature for both the water heater and the plumbing system it’s connected to.

Why It All Matters

These safety guidelines aren’t just technical details—they’re essential for protecting your properties and residents. Proper installation and maintenance ensure that your water heater operates safely, without the risk of contamination, damage, or even explosions.

By following these simple yet critical standards, you can keep your water heater running safely and efficiently. And if you ever have concerns, don’t hesitate to consult a professional. After all, safety is always worth the extra effort.

To ensure water heater safety, the 2021 International Plumbing Code provides clear guidelines for maintaining these systems safely and effectively.

Every new water heater is shipped with a yellow tag with installation instructions hanging on the Temperature and Pressure relief valve.
Every new water heater is shipped with a yellow tag with installation instructions hanging on the Temperature and Pressure relief valve.

Why Is the Relief Valve So Important?

Think of the relief valve as a safety net. If everything is functioning properly—water heater, plumbing system, and valve—you shouldn’t see water discharging from it. If water does start leaking, it’s a red flag indicating one of three possible issues:

  1. A problem with the water heater itself.
  2. A malfunctioning relief valve.
  3. An issue in the water distribution system.

Ignoring these signs could lead to significant damage or even a hazardous situation.

Key Requirements for Relief Valve Discharge Piping

The International Plumbing Code (IPC) and International Residential Code (IRC) outline specific safety standards for relief valve discharge piping. Here’s a breakdown of the most important ones:

  1. No direct connection to the drainage system. The discharge pipe must end with an air gap, preventing contamination of the potable water supply.
  2. Air gap location matters. The pipe should terminate through an air gap in the same room as the water heater.
  3. Proper pipe size. The inside pipe diameter must not be smaller than the diameter of the valve outlet and discharge at is full diameter through the air gap.
  4. One device per pipe. Each relief valve must have its own discharge pipe; shared piping is not allowed.
  5. Safe discharge locations. The pipe can discharge to the floor, a waste receptor, the outdoors, or a pan beneath the water heater—but not into places like sinks or showers, where hot water and steam could harm someone.
  6. Discharge piping to not cause personal injury or structural damage. Termination of relief valve drain lines should not include are shower floors, laundry trays, kitchen sinks, and bath tub. Anyone using these fixtures could be subject to injury by hot water and steam that could come from the pipes.
  7. Visibility. The discharge point should be easily visible so occupants can quickly notice if there’s an issue.
  8. No traps. Retained water in these trapped areas or piping sags might cause a buildup of scale or corrosion over time which would affect the functionality and longevity of the pipe.
  9. No sags. The pipe must be installed to slope downward for its entire length. The pipe must drain freely without dips or blockages.
  10. Proper termination height. The discharge pipe must end no more than 6 inches above the floor, waste receptor, or drain to minimize risks of injury or damage.
  11. No threads at the end. To avoid accidental capping or sealing of the pipe, threaded ends are prohibited.
  12. No valves or tees. These fittings could block or redirect discharge, creating a dangerous situation.
  13. Approved materials only. The piping must be made from materials listed in IPC Section 605.4 or those meeting ASME A112.4.1 standards, ensuring durability under high pressure and temperature.
  14. Where insert fittings are used, pipe diameter must be one nominal size larger than the relief valve outlet.

To avoid confusion, every new water heater is sold with a conspicuous yellow tag hanging on the T&P relief valve with explicit installation instructions. There’s really no excuse for getting this wrong.