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Vacuum relief valve

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Most of the areas in Colorado are moving over to the International code. In the plumbing code book under "Water Heaters" there is a section that states all bottom fed water heaters shall have a vacuum relief valve. I have been aware of these things but have never used them on any of my indirects. Is this a common thing to install for any of the guys out there?

Dave in Denver

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Comments

  • Ken_8
    Ken_8 Member Posts: 1,640
    Yes

    The BOCA Mechanical Code (and perhaps the NSPC as well) has such language.

    The fear being, a water heater on the second floor could collapse from a vaccum via the siphoning action of the cold and hot risers - should the potable water pressure drop to zero (like when the H.O. shuts off the water-main to replace the outdoor hose bibb washer.)

    Houses on slabs (like mine, a Levittown style cape) will frequently have such an arrangement.

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