Plumbing code essentials: Condensate

The 2018 Code Essentials series are available as valuable companions to the 2018 International Building, Residential, Fire, Energy Conservation, Existing Building and Plumbing Codes. Aimed at all user levels — including first-time users, veteran code users and other professionals such as architects, designers and contractors — these guides use a straight-forward, focused approach to explore code requirements with non-code language, allowing readers to gain confidence in their understanding of the material and build a solid foundation for learning and applying the code’s requirements.

2018 Plumbing Code Essentials

The International Fuel Gas Code regulates the proper disposal of condensate that results from either cooling or combustion processes. Cooling coils and evaporators installed in forced air furnaces, as part of the air conditioning system, generate condensate. High-efficiency category IV furnaces have low-temperature flue gases that also produce condensate in the vent. In many cases, both conditions exist in the same appliance. In general, condensate must drain to an approved location such as a floor drain. Where the appliance is installed in an upper story or an attic, where water leakage will cause damage to building components, such as the drywall ceiling of the living space below, additional preventive measures are required.

The most common method to prevent water damage to construction materials because of a stoppage in the primary drain is to install an auxiliary drain pan below the appliance. In addition to prescribing the pan dimensions and materials, the International Fuel Gas Code requires discharge to a conspicuous location to alert occupants of a problem. As an alternative to the auxiliary drain pan, the code permits installation of a secondary ¾-inch drain line from the appliance’s integral drain pan discharging to a conspicuous location. Acceptable alternatives to the auxiliary pan or secondary drain provide for automatic shutdown of the appliance when a stoppage in the drain occurs.

Where condensate pumps are used and are located in uninhabitable spaces, such as an attic, the pump must be interconnected with the appliance such that if the pump fails, the appliance will not operate.

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