InterNACHI


Go Back   InterNACHI Inspection Forum > Specific Inspection Topics > Plumbing Inspections

Notices

Plumbing Inspections Contains discussions about plumbing.

 
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 10/6/08, 7:16 PM
Jerry B. Yost Jerry B. Yost is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Denton, TX
Posts: 21
Default Seisco TWH does not need a TPR valve?

I walked into the garage this morning at my first inspection and saw a Seisco tankless water heater without a TPR valve on it. The installation instructions were behind it so of course I grabbed them and proceeded to read. I was shocked when I read that in Manufactured Homes a TPR valve is not required per HUD(this is not a Manufactured Home)??? Moreover the manufacturer is claiming that per NEC 422-47 the TWH does not need a TPR valve unless "local codes require it.
What gives here? Seisco is selling this as not needing a TPR valve, so the cost for installation is less, but the IRC says it needs a TPR valve. I called the mfr from the inspection this morning and they immediately said "why yes it needs a TPR valve if your local jurisdiction calls for it" I said I was quoting the IRC.
I know I don't need need to ask for opinions here, but hit me with your best shot. Model RA-28 electric TWH www.seisco.com. Thanks in advance.
PS, I recommended a TPR valve be installed.
Attached Thumbnails
seisco-twh-does-not-need-tpr-valve-100_4655.jpg  



Jerry Yost
Golden Rule Property Inspections
http://www.MyTexasInspector.com
HomeInspectorOne@hotmail.com
TREC #09097
NACHI06060660
Certified Infrared Thermographer #05080018
Certified Pool & Spa Inspector
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10/6/08, 7:20 PM
Bob Elliott's Avatar
Bob Elliott Bob Elliott is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 21,908
Default Re: Seisco TWH does not need a TPR valve?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jyost View Post
I walked into the garage this morning at my first inspection and saw a Seisco tankless water heater without a TPR valve on it. The installation instructions were behind it so of course I grabbed them and proceeded to read. I was shocked when I read that in Manufactured Homes a TPR valve is not required per HUD(this is not a Manufactured Home)??? Moreover the manufacturer is claiming that per NEC 422-47 the TWH does not need a TPR valve unless "local codes require it.
What gives here? Seisco is selling this as not needing a TPR valve, so the cost for installation is less, but the IRC says it needs a TPR valve. I called the mfr from the inspection this morning and they immediately said "why yes it needs a TPR valve if your local jurisdiction calls for it" I said I was quoting the IRC.
I know I don't need need to ask for opinions here, but hit me with your best shot. Model RA-28 electric TWH www.seisco.com. Thanks in advance.


PS, I recommended a TPR valve be installed.


Since there is no holding tank, it may not be as serious of an issue.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10/6/08, 7:34 PM
Michael R. Boyett's Avatar
Michael R. Boyett Michael R. Boyett is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 4,749
Default Re: Seisco TWH does not need a TPR valve?

From the Seisco website:
Quote:
TEMPERATURE & PRESSURE VALVE
A temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P Valve) may be required by local code. When a T&P valve is installed (which is not provided by the manufacturer), it should be checked after the water supply to the heater is turned on. With the water supply on, there should be no water flowing from the valve. Operate the valve manually two or three times to purge the trapped air from the top of the heater’s chamber. CLOSE VALVE. Water should stop flowing completely prior to connecting the drain piping to the valve.
SINCE THE SEISCO HEATER DOES NOT UTILIZE A STORAGE TANK, THE USE OF A T&P RELIEF VALVE IS NOT REQUIRED BY MANY NATIONAL STANDARDS, INCLUDING UL STANDARD 499. Seisco heaters are designed with control logic as well as electro-mechanical high limit thermostat switches for over-temperature protection. With these built-in safety features, the use of a T&P Relief Valve is not required.
Also see: Tankless W/H post and NACHI TV on Tankless W/H



Excellence in Inspections
Mike Boyett, TREC #7290
mikeb@capcityinspections.com
Capital City Inspections
Austin, Texas
(512) 577-2579

Company blog is: www.capcityinspections.com/blog
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10/6/08, 7:39 PM
Marcel R. Cyr's Avatar
Marcel R. Cyr Marcel R. Cyr is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Winslow, ME
Posts: 19,788
Default Re: Seisco TWH does not need a TPR valve?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jyost View Post
I walked into the garage this morning at my first inspection and saw a Seisco tankless water heater without a TPR valve on it. The installation instructions were behind it so of course I grabbed them and proceeded to read. I was shocked when I read that in Manufactured Homes a TPR valve is not required per HUD(this is not a Manufactured Home)??? Moreover the manufacturer is claiming that per NEC 422-47 the TWH does not need a TPR valve unless "local codes require it.
What gives here? Seisco is selling this as not needing a TPR valve, so the cost for installation is less, but the IRC says it needs a TPR valve. I called the mfr from the inspection this morning and they immediately said "why yes it needs a TPR valve if your local jurisdiction calls for it" I said I was quoting the IRC.
I know I don't need need to ask for opinions here, but hit me with your best shot. Model RA-28 electric TWH www.seisco.com. Thanks in advance.
PS, I recommended a TPR valve be installed.
Jerry, it would appear that the only reason a TPR would be required is if it is mandated by local codes.

At least that is the way I see it.

TEMPERATURE & PRESSURE VALVE

A temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P Valve) may be required by local code.

When a T&P valve is installed (which is not provided by the manufacturer), it should be checked after the water supply to the heater is turned on. With the water supply on, there should be no water flowing from the valve. Operate the valve manually two or three times to purge the trapped air from the top of the heater’s chamber. CLOSE VALVE. Water should stop flowing completely prior to connecting the drain piping to the valve.

SINCE THE SEISCO HEATER DOES NOT UTILIZE A STORAGE TANK, THE USE OF A T&P RELIEF VALVE IS NOT REQUIRED BY MANY NATIONAL STANDARDS, INCLUDING UL STANDARD 499. Seisco heaters are designed with control logic as well as elctro-mechanical high limit thermostat switches for over-temperature protection. With these built-in safety features, the use of a T&P Relief Valve is not required.

JMO

Marcel
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10/6/08, 8:01 PM
Jerry B. Yost Jerry B. Yost is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Denton, TX
Posts: 21
Default Re: Seisco TWH does not need a TPR valve?

So it is more that there is no stored water than it is that it is a "water heater". Thanks guys.



Jerry Yost
Golden Rule Property Inspections
http://www.MyTexasInspector.com
HomeInspectorOne@hotmail.com
TREC #09097
NACHI06060660
Certified Infrared Thermographer #05080018
Certified Pool & Spa Inspector
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Sprinkler System Vacuum Breaker Valve sbenson Plumbing Inspections 5 9/12/08 2:41 PM
980 Questions/Answers to the NHIE....Free! jbushart Legislation, Licensing & Legal Issues for Inspectors 50 4/20/08 1:26 AM
Backwater valve in new homes? ccrooker Canadian Inspectors 16 11/28/06 7:47 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 8:04 AM.


Popular Sections

:

All Sections

Inspection News

InterNACHI Membership

Inspection Standards

Inspection Education

InterNACHI Inspectors

Inspection Links

 

 

 

NACHI.ORG Statistics

 

 

no new posts