Can my water heater's relief valve discharge line and drain pan line merge into a common pipe?

Question

Currently, I only have a T&P relief discharge line that runs down to just above the pedestal and out through the exterior wall. I would like to install a drain pan under the water heater.
I want to cut my relief discharge line and install a tee in order to connect my drain pan's line and allow both to exit using the existing pipe. My concern is that this might allow water flowing down from the relief valve to flow back into the pan and overflow it.
Is this a recommended solution?

Answer 1

The answer is no. This configuration would most likely fail multiple code requirements.

Explanation

You do not mention the diameter of the current discharge pipe, the distance that it runs, how many changes in directions there are, and where it terminates, so I cannot provide a complete answer. However, I can confirm that it would be against code to directly connect the two pipes together due to the resulting cross-connection between a potable system and a drainage system.

The pipe that drains the pan is considered part of a drainage system (either sanitary or storm, depending on what it connects to or where it terminates). The T&P relief valve’s discharge pipe is connected directly to the potable system and as such is considered as part of the potable system. It is against code to directly connect these two systems as the resulting cross-connection allows for the potential of the potable system becoming contaminated.

In addition, there are pipe diameter requirements to be considered.

In a typical installation, the relief valve’s discharge pipe terminates indirectly above the drain pan’s drain opening with an air break that prevents the two systems from being cross-connected. The requirement for a drain pan’s drain pipe is that it be 2 times that of the relief valve’s discharge pipe diameter.

I assume that the diameter of your T&P relief valve’s discharge pipe is the same size as that of the T&P valve’s outlet connection, therefore this pipe cannot be used as the drain pan’s drain pipe, unless you increase the size of it.

Suggestions

1. You could repipe the drain line to outside in a larger diameter and install the drain pan and T&P discharge pipe as outlined in the below code requirements. (Note that if your drain is to discharge outside above grade, that in addition to it being located in a safe place to prevent anyone from being burned, you should also put some sort of screen protection on the end of the pipe as this pipe will create a direct opening into your home via the drain pan’s opening)
2. If the water heater is located in an accessible location, the combination of periodical visual inspections and turning off the tank and shutting off the water supply when being away on vacation, will prevent most issues with water damage from a failed tank. In addition, replacing the anode rod as outlined in the tank’s literature will prolong the life of the tank.
3. If you are really concerned about water damage from a leaking tank, there are many leak detection systems that when sensing a leak can shut off the water supply.

Code Requirements (Based on the Canadian Plumbing Code)

Relief Valves

Every hot water heater mush have a pressure relief valve and a temperature relief valve. The two can be combined in one device so long as it meets the requirements for both individual valves:

• operates when the pressure inside the tank reaches the rated pressure of the tank
• located so that the pressure in the tank cannot exceed the pressure in the tank by 35 kPa (5 PSI)
• located within the top 150mm (6”) of the tank
• is designed to open and discharge sufficient water from the tank to keep the temperature of the water inside the tank from exceeding 99°C (210°F)

Relief Valve Discharge Pipe

The requirements of the relief valve discharge pipe are that is must:

• be of a size at least equal to the size of the outlet of the valve
• be installed ridged
• be piped so that it is sloped away from the valve
• terminate with an indirect connection above a floor drain, sump, or other safe location
• have an air break not smaller than the diameter of the discharge pipe but with a minimum of 25mm (1”) or a maximum of 300mm (12”)
• have no threads at its outlet
• be capable of operating at a temperature of not less than 99°C (210°F)
• have no shut-off valves installed on it

In addition, if the relief discharge pipe is longer than 2m (6’ 6”) or if more than two 90° elbows are used, the valve manufacture’s installation instruction must be followed to ensure that the piping does not restrict the valve’s discharge capacity.

Drain Pan Requirements

A drain pan is required when a hot water tank is located in a ceiling or roof space, or over a floor of wood construction. The requirements of the pan are:

• be not less than 50 mm (2”) larger than the tank
• have walls not less than 25mm (1”) high
• be drained by a pipe two sizes larger than the relief valve discharge pipe
• have a drain that is located directly under the relief valve discharge pipe that drain directly to a floor drain or other accessible location

Typical Hot Water Tank, Relive Valve, and Drain Pan Configuration:

           ___
   _______|_  |
  |         | |
  |         | | <— T&P Discharge Line
  |   HWT   | |
  |         | |
  |         | |
  |_________|     <— Air Break (end of pipe to top of pan wall)
|_______________| <— Drain Pan
             |  ____________ <— Drain to Sanitary or Storm System
             |_|

Note: if the drain pan’s drain connects to a sanitary system, a p-trap (as shown) is required. In addition, the p-trap would require a trap primer.

Answer 2

No, they must be independent. SO says the plumbing code book at Lowes, I'm facing a similar issue, but it's from my sump pump from the mini split to the outside, which I was hoping to tie into the water heater or another discharge line.

Discharge is one per unit, and can not be merged, can't be dumped into public walkway (sidewalk, driveway), not into DWV (I have no clue why not)