N.Y.C. Admin. Code § PC 504: Section PC 504: Safety Devices

504.1 Antisiphon devices.

An approved means, such as a cold water "dip" tube with a hole at the top or a vacuum relief valve installed in the cold water supply line above the top of the heater or tank, shall be provided to prevent siphoning of any storage water heater or tank.

504.2 Vacuum relief valve.

Bottom fed water heaters and bottom fed tanks connected to water heaters shall have a vacuum relief valve installed. The vacuum relief valve shall comply with ANSI Z21.22.

504.3 Shutdown.

A means for disconnecting an electric hot water supply system from its energy supply shall be provided in accordance with the

New York City Electrical Code

. A separate valve shall be provided to shut off the energy fuel supply to all other types of hot water supply systems in accordance with the

New York City Fuel Gas Code

and

New York City Mechanical Code

.

504.4 Relief valve.

Storage water heaters operating above atmospheric pressure shall be provided with an approved, self-closing (levered) pressure relief valve and temperature relief valve or combination thereof. The relief valve shall conform to ANSI Z21.22. The relief valve shall not be used as a means of controlling thermal expansion.

504.4.1 Installation.

Such valves shall be installed in the shell of the storage water heater tank. Temperature relief valves shall be so located in the tank as to be actuated by the water in the top 6 inches (152 mm) of the tank served. For installations with separate storage tanks, the approved, self-closing (levered) pressure relief valve and temperature relief valve or combination thereof conforming to ANSI Z21.22, shall be installed on both the storage water heater and storage tank. There shall not be a check valve or shutoff valve between a relief valve and the heater or tank served.

504.5 Relief valve approval.

Temperature and pressure relief valves, or combinations thereof, and energy cutoff devices shall bear the label of an approved

agency and shall have a temperature setting of not more than 210°F (99°C) and a pressure setting not exceeding the tank or water heater manufacturer's rated working pressure. The relieving capacity of each pressure relief valve and each temperature relief valve shall equal or exceed the heat input to the water heater or storage tank.

504.6 Requirements for discharge piping.

The discharge piping serving a pressure relief valve, temperature relief valve or combination thereof shall:

1. Not be directly connected to the drainage system.

2. Discharge through an air gap located in the same room as the water heater.

3. Not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the valve served and shall discharge full size to the air gap.

4. Serve a single relief device and shall not connect to piping serving any other relief device or equipment.

5. Discharge in a manner that does not cause personal injury or structural damage.

6. Discharge to a termination point that is readily observable by the building occupants.

7. Not be trapped.

8. Be installed so as to flow by gravity.

9.

Terminate not more than 6 inches (152 mm) above and not less than two times the discharge pipe diameter above the floor or flood level rim of the waste receptor.

10. Not have a threaded connection at the end of such piping.

11. Not have valves or tee fittings.

12. Be constructed of those materials listed in Section 605.4 or materials tested, rated and approved for such use in accordance with ASME A112.4.1.

504.7 Required pan.

Where a storage tank-type water heater or a hot water storage tank is installed in a location where water leakage from the tank will cause damage, the tank shall be installed in a galvanized steel pan having a material thickness of not less than 0.0236 inch (0.6010 mm) (No. 24 gage), or other pans approved

for such use.

504.7.1 Pan size and drain.

The pan shall be not less than 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) in depth and shall be of sufficient size and shape to receive all dripping or condensate from the tank or water heater. The pan shall be drained by an indirect waste pipe having a diameter of not less than 3/4 inch (19 mm). Piping for safety pan drains shall be of those materials listed in

Table 605.4

.

Exception:

A pan drain shall not be required for a replacement water heater where a pan drain was not previously installed, provided that a leak detector is installed within the pan.

504.7.2 Pan drain termination.

The pan drain shall extend full size and terminate over a suitably located indirect waste receptor or floor drain or extend to the exterior of the building and terminate not less than 6 inches (152 mm) and not more than 24 inches (610 mm) above the adjacent ground surface at a point that is readily observable by the building occupants.

504.8 Flow sensing switch.

On copper fin tube, gas fired domestic hot water heaters, a flow switch shall be provided to interrupt the gas supply to the heater in the event water flow through the coil is interrupted.