IPC Section 504 Safety Devices (for water heaters) discrepancy

[tbonebanjo]

I was just reviewing the IPC for water heater catch pan drains and found this:
504.6(5) says the relief valve may "discharge to the floor, to the pan serving the water heater or storage tank...."
Comentary Figure 504.7(1) says "relief valve pipe terminating into a safe pan is prohibited"

Has anyone run across a formal interpretation of the allowed method? I am working on a project in DC, they do not recognize the commentary in their code, so I believe the relief valve may discharge to the pan per code. However, I seem to remember some reviewer in another location saying I had to take the relief valve to a separate receptor.

 

[PEDARRIN2]

Code is minimum, but often AHJ may use their authority to require more in their area. It is up to you if you want to spend the time/effort to fight something like this.

 

[bimr]

The termination of T&P relief valve discharge pipes into water heater drip pans has been a long standing practice with no evidence of property damage to justify prohibition of this practice. The AHJ may use their authority to require more in their jurisdiction.

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