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Ohio_Remodeler · Apr 26, 2007, 12:59 PM

Are these 2 setups okay for hot water tanks? Just want to confirm that CPVC is allowed to be used as a connector and that the shut off valves are okay also.

3/4" CPVC is used on one tank and 1/2" CPVC on the other. Is this okay?

If any of this wrong, please quote the code to correct it in International Plumbing Code 2006.

iamgrowler · Apr 27, 2007, 07:05 AM

>shudders<

I'm not a big fan of CPVC, of hard piping H/W tanks or installing shut-offs on the hot outlet of the tank.

Are the tanks strapped to the walls with approved earthquake strapping kits?

speedball1 · Apr 27, 2007, 07:58 AM

Ahh! A Rube Goldberg School of Plumbing graduate. We run into them every now and then.
While I "hard pipe" water geaters I can see no advantage in installing a shut off on the hot water outlet when the same action can be accomplished by shutting off the cold water to the heater. Closed, this just gives the hot water one less area to expand to and if the asker has a check valve or a backflow preventer installed it guarantees spillage out the T & P valve.

"3/4" CPVC is used on one tank and 1/2" CPVC on the other. Is this okay?"
It's Ok if you haven't got more then three fixtures connected to it.
Our local codes prohibit connecting more then three fixtures on a 1/2" branch.
Supplying a house with 1/2" will work but can present a volume and pressure problem if too many are used at the same time.
Growler, I'm a little confused. You asked," Are the tanks strapped to the walls with approved earthquake strapping kits?"
Earthquake strapping kits in Ohio. Was this put into code after the Great Cleveland Quake of?? I forget, what year was that quake anyhow? Regards, Tom

labman · Apr 27, 2007, 10:11 AM

When it comes to earthquakes, there is no place to hide. The New Madrid fault is long over due to let loose. When it comes, Cleveland should be OK, but some parts of Ohio will be worse for the wear. I am a long ways from any known, active fault, but I have a strap on my hot water heater. It is not ''approved'', but quite sturdy.

Ohio_Remodeler · Apr 28, 2007, 11:34 AM

I took your comments into consideration and have redone the supply lines. I was told by a local plumber that the first 18" out of the tank has to be copper.

The odds of an earthquake here are extremely low (I've never heard of any type of noticeable earthquake every happening here) so I've elected to have the copper be to hard piped.

I also eliminated the hot water shut off valve. Each tank supplies 2 small apartments. The 2 shut off valves you see control the hot and cold to ONE of the apartments. There are 2 more shut off valves out of the picture that control the other apartment.

Any issue with having the leg off the relief valve being CPVC? Any other noticeable errors?

My area is governed by International Plumbing Code 2003. Thanks for helping me reform my Rube Goldberg setup.