Sept 24, 2007 Submitted by Ken Thompson, Morristown What are the ICC IRC provisions for connecting HVAC condensate pump lines to a sanitary sewer system?   

I can only speak for the 2003 IPC which is the code that Shelby County is using. We chose not to adopt the IRC code for several reasons but thru my studying of the codes the only reference I could find to condensate in the IRC is M1411. M1411.3 states that condensate from all cooling coils and evaporators shall be conveyed from the drain pan outlet to an approved place of disposal. Condensate shall not discharge into a street, alley , or other area so as to create a nuisance.

   We have had amendments in Shelby County for years that provide for the condensate to go to sanitary. Enclosed is a copy of our amendments for the 2003 IPC.

Shelby County amendments to the 2003 IPC

D ELETE Sections 314.2 and 314.2.2 and add the following:

314.2                      Condensation Disposal. - Condensation from all cooling coils or evaporators may be installed by a mechanical contractor, piped full size from drip pan outlet or outlet supplied by the equipment manufacturer and piped to drain opening provided by plumbing contractor.  Plumbing contractor shall provide a trapped indirect waste opening to within two feet of equipment.

314.2.1                  Approved Indirect Waste.  - The Mechanical Code shall govern the installation and servicing of condensate, overflow, and flow-down drains from air conditioning, refrigeration, mechanical, and process systems.  These shall be connected to the plumbing system through an approved indirect waste receptacle or house side of active trap.

314.2.2                  Drain Line Sizes. - Condensate drain lines from drip pan outlet may be 3/4-inch minimum with a maximum horizontal run of two feet.  Any drain exceeding two feet shall be a minimum of 1¼ inches.  All indirect waste fittings shall be DWV fittings installed as per code.

314.2.2.1               Roof Top Units.  - A roof top unit shall not spill onto a roof.  It shall connect to a trapped indirect waste opening provided by the plumbing contractor.

314.2.3                  Indirect Waste Vent System.  - The maximum length of the indirect waste to vent shall not exceed 25 feet.  The vent shall be independent of the sanitary vent system and shall terminate separately through the roof to the open air.

314.2.4                  Memphis Pattern Deep Seal.  - A Memphis Pattern Deep Seal Trap or catch basin may be used in lieu of active trap when active trap cannot be reached by gravity fall.

314.2.5                  Residential Condensate.  The plumbing contactor shall provide an indirect waste opening to within two feet of the unit it serves.  This opening must be piped full size (1¼ inch minimum) from an active trap that serves a bathtub, shower, washing machine, or from a 12-inch deep seal trap with cleanouts placed directly on top of each leg of said trap.  This trap shall be located in the heated envelope of the structure and connected to a single vent riser with no other vents connected below this point.  All indirect waste fittings shall be DWV fittings installed as per Code.

314.2.6                Pumped Condensate.  The mechanical contractor shall connect the HVAC unit to the pump supplied by the plumbing contractor.  The plumbing contractor shall hard pipe from the pump discharge and tight connect to an approved trapped opening located as close to the unit as possible.  From this point, it shall gravity drain to a suitable location as per other sections of 314.

 If you have any other questions or I can be of further assistance my direct line is (901) 379-4220.

                                        Tom Connable

                                         Plumbing Plans Examiner

                                        Shelby County Tenn.