Clear Tubing For T&P Relief Valve?

[hj]

quote; Does code allow water tanks allowed to be installed in bathrooms? If so an exposed T&P tube could harm someone if it went off.

Not gas water heaters unless they are "sealed combustion units". The same applies to bedrooms. The discharge MUST be installed so it CANNOT harm ANYONE or ANYTHING if it goes off.

[molo]

quote; Does code allow water tanks allowed to be installed in bathrooms? If so an exposed T&P tube could harm someone if it went off.

Not gas water heaters unless they are "sealed combustion units". The same applies to bedrooms. The discharge MUST be installed so it CANNOT harm ANYONE or ANYTHING if it goes off.

This is the confusing part; if the discharge end has to be exposed how do you install so that the water doesn't spray and hurt someone?

[jadnashua]

You can install it OVER a floor drain, but not INTO a floor drain, if that makes any sense. If you have a drain pan, it can discharge into that. Note, if the thing opens fully, it'll still splash, and if your outlet from the pan isn't big enough, it can overflow, so you want to size those accordingly.

If I was going to install a WH in living space where flooding was a potential problem, I'd install it in a pan and I'd install a WAGS valve to shut the water supply off if it did leak http://www.taco-hvac.com/products.ht...nt_category=65. The valve also has a switch in it that can be used for some WH (gas and oil) to shut it down if it trips. Installed by a trained plumber, you get a 'free' insurance policy against damages. Won't pay for lots of ruined flooring or materials, but it would make a dent, plus, assuming it works, it shouldn't happen in the first place.

WAGS uses a water soluable 'puck' that holds a spring-loaded valve open. Similar to the life vests found on an airplane that automatically inflate when they hit the water. It's a one-shot valve, so no testing! It takes a build-up in the pan of around 1" of standing water to disolve the 'puck' and close the water valve. If your gas/oil WH's valve is compatible, it will also prevent the WH burner from trying to turn on (optional kit, not needed for an electric WH). It's nice to not have the burner on trying to heat a now potentially empty tank!

[hj]

quote; It's nice to not have the burner on trying to heat a now potentially empty tank!

A discharging relief valve CANNOT drain a tank, even if the water supply is terminated. If a relief valve discharges into a safety pan, it WILL overflow because the gravity drain will NEVER keep up with a pressurized 3/4" discharge. You install the drain line in such a way that it does NOT splash, at least not where it could splash on people.