Pex & Tpr

[Russel Ray]

PEX as the TPR drain line is allowed in all the jurisdictions where I have checked. Whenever I have a question, I usually check the city of San Diego and then the cities where all the rich people live (La Jolla, Heritage Golf Estates in Poway, Coronado, Solana Beach, Cardiff by the Sea). If the rich people accept it, then Mr and Mrs Average Joe Blow, the poor people in Logan Heights, and the rednecks in Lakeside and Santee tend to follow along.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by rray

PEX as the TPR drain line is allowed in all the jurisdictions where I have checked.

That may be true in CA but not all areas of the country.

http://www.healthyarkansas.com/phc/p...egulations.htm

SECTION IV. RESTRICTIONS

This regulation does not allow Cross-linked Polyethylene PEX pipe or fittings to be installed for T & P discharge on water heaters.
This regulation does not allow Crosslinked Polyethylene PEX pipe or fittings to be installed directly into a water heater opening.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by mlarson

That may be true in CA but not all areas of the country.

That doesn't surprise me, which is why I said "in all the jurisdictions where I have checked."

PEX wasn't even allowed in California at all until, I believe, February 2002, when a Superior Court Judge up in, I believe, Ventura County basically told the Plumbers' Union to go back to their caves because they didn't have the public's best interest in mind by continuing to disallow the use of PEX by their plumbers.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

PEX is not allowed for use as TPR drain piping in CA. It must be specifically listed for this use, and PEX is not.

CPC 608.5 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. . .

The CPC does not even allow PEX to be used for the plumbing distribution system, but it allows local jurisdictions to use it at their discretion.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jpope

PEX is not allowed for use as TPR drain piping in CA. It must be specifically listed for this use, and PEX is not.

CPC 608.5 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. . .

The CPC does not even allow PEX to be used for the plumbing distribution system, but it allows local jurisdictions to use it at their discretion.

Local AHJ's here allow it. I guess they are using their discretion.

[Jack L. Gilleland]

I think they ought to see if you can make a hangmans knot with it, then I could tell you how to use PEX.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by jbushart

I'd write it up, siting [citing] that its use is restricted to cold water supply, only.

Almost 100% of new homes in my part of the country have PEX used for both hot and cold water supply.

Regarding its use as a TPR discharge material, P2803.6 , paragraph 13 of the 2006 IRC states:

"Requirements for discharge pipe. The discharge piping serving a pressure-relief valve, temperature-relief valve or combination valve shall:

Be constructed of those materials listed in Section P2904.5 or materials tested, rated and approved for such use in accordance with ASME A112.4.1."

Table P2904.5 (approved water distribution piping) specifically lists PEX.

[sparksnmore]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Almost 100% of new homes in my part of the country have PEX used for both hot and cold water supply.
..........................................

Same here around Kansas City.
We don't do new construction but with the high cost of copper now, we use PEX on almost all of our remodel and re pipe jobs unless the customer prefers the copper.
We NEVER use anything but 3/4" copper on our TPR valve drains though.

[Tony Siegert]

Documentation I have read states PEX is not allowed within 18 inches minimum to connection to water heater... Rated dishcarge piping for TPR should cover 150 PSI and 210 degrees as a minimum I thought? Wirsbo is 80 PSI at 200 degrees. At sea level water boils at 212 degrees...

[Tim Spargo]

I thought a lot of AHJ's (at least what I'm fam. with) don't allow anything except rigid material....and standard heights for discharge and such.

Call local AHJ?

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

By the time I get to a house, the AHJ has already done his code inspection -- and missed everything I write up. Why call him to get his interpretation?

I use the 2006 IRC and my judgment as my guide personally. If the item meets the IRC code, then I don't see how its relevant what the AHJ thinks...he'll never be back to the house again once the CO is obtained.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Used commonly up here in new construction. Mike had it correct earlier. PSI does not matter as the TPR drain line is not closed and subject to pressure.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

I would write it because it is closer than 18 inches, And just for the solid part just my thought someone standing beside it will get scalded It would need more than one strap to hold it it in Place. I have seen tank blow .