Incorrect use of sanitary tee fittings in drainage systems is a common problem. What is the proper use of sanitary tee fittings in plumbing DWV piping? Table 706.3 of the IPC provides the code requirements for correctly using plumbing fittings.
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Drain traps must be prevented from losing their water seals. Loss of the water seal allows sewer gas to enter the building.
The International Plumbing Code (IPC) Section 1002.3, 2018 edition, discusses the types of prohibited traps. Specifically, the first type of trap that is prohibited is “Traps that depend on moving parts to maintain the seal.” Some interpret this language to prohibit the use of trap seals.
The Code Commentary states that “a trap is intended to be a simple U-shaped piping arrangement that offers minimal resistance to flow. Prohibited traps do not have a simple U-shaped design or configuration.” A P-trap with a trap seal still has the simple U-shaped design or configuration. Regarding this first prohibition, the Code Commentary states, “Item 1 refers to mechanical traps that use moving parts such as floats or flappers.”
Note that this code language is in reference to traps, not trap seals.
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Showers pose a risk for hot water scalding. In addition to the potential for hot water scalding, thermal shock from rapid changes in shower water temperature can cause slips and falls.
To protect the user, plumbing codes require water delivery from showers to not exceed 120 degrees F. Water heater thermostats are no longer considered a safe means for controlling water temperatures when the code requires a maximum water temperature at showers and tub/showers. The plumbing codes now require the installation of the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE) 1016 shower valves to prevent scalding and thermal shock.
ASSE 1016 contains requirements for three different types of shower valves.
Design engineers have to decide what type of ASSE 1016 shower valves to specify. First, for individual showers and tub/showers, a Type P pressure compensating valve is required to prevent thermal shock. Unless thermal shock protection is provided by another device, such as an ASSE 1066 pressure-compensating device, a Type P or Type P/T valve is required.
Second, the question becomes, is the additional thermostatic protection provided by a Type P/T shower valve needed? This often depends on the hot water system and the amount of temperature variation that can be expected at the shower fixture. Some hot water systems have large temperature variations, for example, residential storage-type water heaters with no recirculation. Due to the phenomenon of “thermal stacking,” hot water temperatures in these systems can easily vary by as much as 10 – 15 degrees F. Another consideration is whether the facility has a higher risk for scalding, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living centers. In these instances, a Type P/T shower valve is a good idea.
By contrast, some commercial hot water systems with master mixing valves, continuous recirculation, and/or precise controls may have nearly constant hot water temperatures at the shower fixtures. For these systems, a Type P shower valve may be sufficient to limit temperatures at the shower to a maximum of 120 degrees F.
Here is a conservative approach: if system temperatures are not stable or unknown, install a thermostatic device (ASSE 1017 master mixing valve in conjunction with ASSE 1016 Type P shower valves, ASSE Type P/T shower valves, etc.) at some point between the water heating source and the delivery point. Although this is not a code requirement, maintaining a maximum temperature of 120 degrees F is. A thermostatic device will greatly reduce temperature swings in the hot water system and also protect the end-user in case of a failure of the water heater thermostat. Design engineers should evaluate the hot water system and make an informed decision about scald protection. Specifying what “everyone else does” or “what meets the code” may not provide the required level of safety needed to prevent scalding.
Given the allowable temperature variation in the ASSE 1016 standard, at what temperature should shower valves be set to ensure a maximum water temperature of 120 degrees F? Outlet temperatures for ASSE 1016 valves can vary by +/- 3.6 degrees when tested at 45 psi. At higher operating pressures, the temperature swing could be greater than the +/-3.6 degrees F. Therefore, I recommend the high-limit stops on shower valves be set to provide a discharge temperature of 110 degrees F. If a shower valve is set to 110 degrees F, the actual discharge temperature may vary from 105 to 115 degrees F. This temperature range provides a comfortable shower without the risks of hot water scalding.
Options: integral check stops: Always specify shower valves with integral check stops to prevent the hot water from crossing over into the cold water piping.
Plumbing specifications should require high-limit stops to be set at the time of installation. The design engineer should also check the hot water temperatures during site inspections prior to project completion.
If not specified and installed correctly, showerheads can cause scalding!
Currently, standard shower valves and showerheads have a minimum flow rate of 2.5 GPM. There are water-saving shower valves and showerheads available with lower flow rates. WaterSense showerheads are rated at 2.0 GPM. There are also showerheads available that have 1.5, 1.0, and even 0.5 GPM flow rates. These various options for minimum flow rates in shower valves and showerheads create an opportunity for misapplication and dangerous results.
When the flow rate of a showerhead is less than the minimum flow rate of the corresponding shower valve, the potential for scalding increases for the following reasons: [Read more…]
Roger W. Griffith has been appointed to the Plumbing/Mechanical/Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (PMGCAC) of the International Code Council (ICC). The role of this code committee is to review and propose revisions to the International Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Private Sewage Disposal, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes and the International Residential Code, chapters 12 through 33, which covers the mechanical, plumbing, and fuel gas systems in residential occupancies. I am honored to be appointed as a member of this committee for the upcoming 2018 – 2019 code development cycle.
These important codes define how mechanical, plumbing, and fuel gas systems must be designed and installed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Thermal expansion tanks are typically installed in conjunction with storage water heaters, but are they needed with tankless water heaters? This issue can sometimes be overlooked. Let’s look at the specifics. [Read more…]
When are thermal expansion tanks needed and/or required in plumbing systems?
When heated, water expands. We know that. When water is heated in a water heater, the water expands, if possible. But what happens when water is heated in a water heater and there is no hot water usage?
This can occur after a period of showering/bathing during peak times followed by a period of no hot water usage. For example, evenings are a time when there is hot water usage for showering followed by a period of no usage while people are sleeping during the night.
During peak usage times, hot water stored in the water heater is distributed to the end-users, and cold water fills the water heater. The cold water in the tank is then heated, but when there is no subsequent hot water usage, the heated water has no room for expansion. If there is no place for the expanded water to go, the pressure in the system increases significantly. This leads to one of two possible scenarios:
If you stay in this business long enough, you see a bit of everything. Notice the water heater’s T&P valve in the above photograph. The T&P valve discharges vertically up. What’s wrong with that?
There are many specific code requirements (13 to be exact) for the discharge piping from water heater T&P valves (Ref: 2012 International Plumbing Code 504.6). This installation violates requirements 8 and 9, which are:
8. Not be trapped.
9. Be installed so as to flow by gravity.
Obviously, with this incorrect installation, the discharge cannot flow by gravity. Also, water can fill and remain in the discharge pipe. Over time, stagnant water that remains in the discharge pipe can corrode the pipe and cause it to fail.
This is just a reminder. During field inspections, check the discharge pipe to verify code compliance.
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