N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FGC 307: Section FGC 307: Condensate Disposal

307.1 Evaporators and cooling coils.

Condensate drain systems shall be provided for equipment and appliances containing evaporators and cooling coils in accordance with the New York City Mechanical Code.

307.2 Fuel-burning appliances.

Liquid combustion by-products of condensing appliances shall be collected and discharged to an approved plumbing fixture, or disposal area in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Condensate piping shall conform to one of the standards listed in Section 803 of the New York City Plumbing Code and shall not be smaller than the drain connection on the appliance. Such piping shall maintain a minimum horizontal slope in the direction of discharge of not less than 1/8 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (1-percent slope).

307.2.1 Condensate disposal.

Condensate from all fuel-burning appliances and associated flues shall be neutralized to a pH of at least 6 and no more than 8 prior to disposal to a sanitary system.

307.3 Drain pipe materials and sizes.

Components of the condensate disposal system shall be cast iron, galvanized steel, copper, cross-linked polyethylene, polyethylene, ABS, CPVC or PVC pipe or tubing. Polypropylene tubing may be used in lengths that do not exceed 12 inches (304.8 mm) for an individual drain application. Components shall be selected for the pressure and temperature rating of the installation. Joints and connections shall be made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 7 of the New York City Plumbing Code relative to the material type. Condensate waste and drain line size shall be not less than 3/4-inch (19.1 mm) internal diameter and shall not decrease in size from the drain pan connection to the place of condensate disposal. Where the drain pipes from more than one unit are manifolded together for condensate drainage, the pipe or tubing shall be sized by a registered design professional.

307.4. Traps.

Condensate drains shall be trapped as required by the equipment or appliance manufacturer.

307.5 Auxiliary drain pan.

Category II or Category IV condensing appliances shall be provided with an auxiliary drain pan where damage to any building component will occur as a result of stoppage in the condensate drainage system. Such pan shall be installed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 307 of the New York City Mechanical Code and provided with a local alarm to indicate the collection of water.

Exceptions:

1. An auxiliary drain pan shall not be required for appliances that automatically shut down operation in the event of a stoppage in the condensate drainage system.

2. An auxiliary drain pan shall not be required where a suitably sized and located floor drain is provided.

307.6 Condensate pumps.

Condensate pumps located in uninhabitable spaces, such as attics and crawl spaces, shall be connected to the appliance or equipment served such that when the pump fails, the appliance or equipment will be prevented from operating. Pumps shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Exceptions:

1. Equipment shutdown shall not be required when the condensate pump resides within the auxiliary drain pan provided under Section 307.5 and an alternate means for unit shutdown due to condensate overflow or leakage, such as a leak detector, is provided.

2. Equipment shutdown shall not be required when the potential for freezing of interior piping systems exists and the auxiliary drain pan provided under Section 307.5 is equipped with a secondary overflow drain that shall discharge to a conspicuous point of disposal to alert occupants in the event of a stoppage of the primary drain.

307.7 Drain line maintenance.

Condensate drain lines shall be configured to permit the clearing of blockages and performance of maintenance without requiring the drain line to be cut.