2021/06/03 Amy - any information on condensate drain insulation requirements? Infiltration Skeletons Behind Closed Doors w/ Genry, All fuel-burning appliances require oxygen to burn. Steam Loop. The Seattle Mechanical Code regulates design and installation of mechanical systems, appliances, appliance venting, duct and ventilation systems, combustion air provisions, hydronic systems, and solar systems. ThIs barely leaves me 3" to work with and that is not enough for proper trap depth and insulation. Both require an air gap - which you have, and neither should be overwhelming a properly-sized, un-blocked drain. Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the. When its required by the manufacturers installation instructions, Sacramento area county inspectors look for a trap. Energy code: Section 503.2.8 Piping insulation. Valves 18. It's often permitted but not the best solution to simply drip condensate into the laundry sink. This would allow me to run from the hall where the unit and 11' ceiling is to areas where the ceiling is 10' and continue to where drain terminates. Some home inspectors and HVACR technicians want the drain to be insulated either to cure an actual observed wetting problem OR because they're making their own, probably unnecessary, interpretation of one of the model energy codes. Examples of Model Building Codes Condensate Disposal Regulations & Recommendations. discharge into a street, alley or other areas so as to cause a Condensate shall not. . For structures located in flood hazard areas, mechanical systems, equipment and appliances shall be located at or above the elevation required by Section 1612 of the International Building Code for utilities and attendant equipment. We dont know what to do but there was no washer and dryer when we moved in to the house. One thing you should prove to yourself if youre the one installing or modifying the current drain line, is to make sure you get a level on it. The vent opening should always rise above the trip level of the condensate overflow switch when it is in the primary drain line or pan or above the secondary/aux overflow port on the primary drain pan. drain heaters; evaporation pan heaters; paragon defrost timers; self regulating heat cables; skope. Metabo 6 In. Piping that conveys fluids that have not been heated or cooled through the use of fossil fuels or electric power. Code requires that the condensate be connected to the building drain though an air gap connection and NOT physical to the drain. An example that you will see in some installation instructions used for equipment that is draining through an appropriately sloped drain line with no trap whatsoever down into a condensate pump that in turn pumps condensate to the disposal point. My OPINION is that the pump itself - the container and motor, sold as a unit - is separable from the drain piping or tubing. - ICC IMC 307.2.5 & IRC M1411.3.3 Drain Line Maintenance code for 2015, original source: http://www.iccsafe.org/ Carson Dunlop Associates sketches (left) illustrate both acceptable and not-recommended locations for the discharge of an air conditioner or heat pump condensate drain line discharge. [BS]301.16 Flood hazard. Thats why we call it a gravity drain because as long as we have the necessary 1/8 inch of downward slope for every 12 inches of carry, gravity will do all the work and pull the condensate waste to the ground all by itself. Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Code of Federal Regulations Title 9. The company Little Giant makes a wide variety of pumps including condensate pumps, pony pumps, and others; condensate cannot drain adequately via gravity, usually because the application lacks conventional, below-floor drainage. In some areas of the United States, a gel-like or slime-like substance may be seen in the base pan. Mechanical system piping capable of carrying fluids above 105F (40C) or below 55F (13C) shall be insulated to a minimum of R-3. The most recent code is the International Mechanical Code (IMC). Piping shall be at least 3/4" in diameter and shall not decrease in size [throughout its run from the condensate drain pan to its final disposal destination - no constructions by diameter]" w/ Allison Bailes, What the Heck is High Performance HVAC w/ David Holt, Zonal Pressure DiagnosticsThe Backtalk Series (Part 3). CMC 310.3 says condensate waste pipes must be made from materials designed to work with that type of condensate drainage. CONDENSATE DRAIN INSULATION REQUIREMENTS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice. To know what this code is about, you can read it in the article below. "The information in this guide is a summary of requirements --- InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. Where pipe insulation is required the requirement depends on pipe size, use, and temperatures that will be encountered. They require sufficient oxygen to burn clean and safely, without soot and CO (carbon monoxide). @Tom P., Free shipping for many products! My warranty company will not cover modification to my condensate drain line because the "items not covered" in my contract list the condensate pump.". (You can learn more about the basics of combustion on a podcast with Benoit Mongeau.) The most popular areas we terminate condensate drain lines to is the side of the house and usually about six inches from the ground. However a read of manufacturer's installation instructions can provide further advice. The tables of pipe insulation shown here are interesting in that each gives insulation thickness required in inches without specifying the insulation material though Table 503.2.8 does give an assumed R-value per inch of insulation. And this can be in a planted area that is large enough to accept the amount of drainage, and soak down into the earth. How far away from a florida heat pump can I install the condensate p-trap. Or should the air handler be seated on rubber be seated on rubber bushings? what is connection from the evaporator condensate pan to the pvc drain line and what is the material required? Dont forget to check out our YouTube page. An example is this VENT-EXHAUST EXTERNAL TRAP INSTRUCTIONS [PDF] posted by Questar Gas. Two national mechanical and plumbing codes, International and Uniform, do nothing to prevent the failures described in the ASHRAE Standard. This allows the water to drain to the side of the house, down through the gravel and into the earth down below it and keep the sidewalk dry. The condensate line is one of the most important components of your HVAC system. Equipments 10. What the Mechanical Codes Say Let's take a look at what the codes say about condensate control and adherence to the code when doing an HVAC change-out. On 2020-05-18 by (mod) - overflow drip pan can be capped off provided that there is a water sensor switch. We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. This is in a ground level garage. Your condensate line, also known as a "condensate drain line" or "condensate drain" does several jobs, but none are more critical to the functionality of your appliance than draining excess moisture outside of your home. 310.3.1 basically says its not reasonable to ask a future technician who has to come out to clear a blockage, to cut the PVC lines in order to do so. You need to use a dry-trap such as the Des Champs HVAC Air-Trap in order for this arrangement to work properly. thanks, In order for a system that has 20 drain lines draining into a single 2-inch pvc pipe you must have all 20 traps designed properly and all must contain a water seal. It coats the pan, p-trap and drain piping with a lubricative film to improve flow . IMC 307.1 and CMC 310.1 talk about condensate from the cooling coils we're installing in people's homes. Air Conditioning Condensate Handling defects lead to condensate spillage, leaks, mold. Mechanical system piping capable of carrying fluids above 105F (40C), or below 55F (13C) shall be insulated to a minimum of R-2. Steam line b. (IRC), International Building Code (IBC), International Plumbing I would explore the route of re-install, but there just isn't enough space in my closet ceiling. We cannot have condensate runoff drain to public walkways and driveways. The IMC code doesn't directly state that the drain line must be insulated. The reference was issued in 2015. MECHANICAL DESIGN CRITERIA (PROJECT STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS) TABLE OF CONTENT SCOPE 2 DEFINITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY 2 UNITS 3 CODES AND STANDARDS 3 GENERAL DESIGN CRITERIA 9. [6] Simpson Strong-Tie, "Code Compliant Repair and Protection Guide for the Installation of Utilities in Wood Frame Construction", web search 5/21/12, original source strongtie.com/ftp/fliers/F-REPRPROTECT09.pdf, [copy on file as /Structures/Framing/Simpson_Framing_Protectors.pdf ]. Seattle has adopted the 2018 International Mechanical Code, with amendments specific to our jurisdiction. IMC 307.2.3 states that all HVAC equipment that produces condensate must have either a secondary drain line or a condensate overflow switch, a secondary drain pan with a secondary drain line, a condensate switch, or some combination of these installations should be used to prevent overflow if the primary drain line blocks. Ive got 20 units tied into a 2 inch pipe and recently it started getting backed up.. If she didn't require insulation at the time the work was performed, a retrofit insulation ought not be required on the condensate drain line either UNLESS a problem is being observed. Code (IPC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2006 Uniform The IMC (International Mechanical Code) is one of the most widely utilized and referenced. 1. Continue reading at CONDENSATE DRAINS, CODES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX. Fortunately there's a utility sink directly below it. Condensate from air cooling coils and the overflow from evaporative coolers and similar water supplied equipment shall be collected and discharged to an approved plumbing fixture or approved disposal area. Many will point to where the ICC energy efficiency code states: N1103.3 Mechanical system piping insulation. This includes rooftop units, ductless units, and downflow units, but the code does allow for the overflow prevention switch to be placed in the primary drain pan in these cases but NOT the primary drain line, according to 307.2.3.1. Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. - use an Appliance Wye to connect a condensate drain to an existing washing machine standpipe or other drain. The requirement for the air gap on a dishwasher (you could use the same device) is to prevent accidental siphon of the trap as well as to prevent backflow of drain water into the draining appliance (dishwasher or condensate pump). If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcastHERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribeHERE. It would be helpful to know the brand and model of your condensing-type tankless water heater so that together we could consult its installation instructions. The Sabik 500 has been designed to provide balanced and sustainable ventilation whilst incorporating modular features and user friendly controllability resulting in a high efficiency, market leading ventilation system. by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - ensure proper condensate tubing routing. For other readers: what's the difference between a conventional tankless water heater and a condensing tankless water heater? Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly. And I see far too many systems without a cleanout on them. Air conditioner cooling coils require a condensate drain with a trap in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions [2019 CMC 310.1]. Pressure Vessel 12. Pumps 10. Im not here to pretend I know or could even interpret all the codes correctly. Provided an air vent and drain plug in the coil. What are the air conditioner condensate drain code? Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade. Multiple pipes in a manifold configuration shall be sized in accordance with an approved method. If you're getting PVC pipe joint failures most often that's from improper prepping. According to the IMC, 3/4 is sufficient for up to 20 tons unless the drain outlet size is larger than 3/4. Sorry but I don't know another reliable solution. It may not be defined as a public walkway, but it would still be a nuisance for the homeowner and family members who must walk through that wet spot every day during normal activities. CONDENSATE DRAIN INSULATION REQUIREMENTS. 1. Were required to get a strap on it every four feet. Make sure to check the installation manual if you have two systems. If the drain line includes waste from a condensing furnace, it will create a more acidic waste type that needs to make it to the ground. Condensate waste shall connect indirectly to the drainage system through an air gap or air break to properly trapped and vented receptors . A transitioning civil engineer and quality inspector with oil and gas, civil construction experience, capable of working independently with minimum supervision, and committed to providing high quality service to every project, with focus on health, safety and environmental issues.