Joined: 06/24/2014 08:55 AM EDT
Messages: 782
Location: Marquette Heights (Peoria) IL
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Inspected a good sized house and detached garage (extra fee ). The detached garage has a horizontal furnace in the upper area. There is a primary and a secondary drain line installed. However, both drain lines are going into a single drain in the floor. Is this acceptable or should the secondary be routed to a completely different location to the exterior. I have included a picture.
If your area uses the IRC; ( I believe #2 below fits your application):
M1411.3.1 Auxiliary and secondary drain systems.
In addition to the requirements of Section M1411.3, a secondary drain or auxiliary drain pan shall be required for each cooling or evaporator coil where damage to any building components will occur as a result of overflow from the equipment drain pan or stoppage in the condensate drain piping. 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). Drain piping shall be a minimum of 3/4-inch (19 mm) nominal pipe size. One of the following methods shall be used:
1. An auxiliary drain pan with a separate drain shall be installed under the coils on which condensation will occur. The auxiliary pan drain shall discharge to a conspicuous point of disposal to alert occupants in the event of a stoppage of the primary drain. The pan shall have a minimum depth of 1.5 inches (38 mm), shall not be less than 3 inches (76 mm) larger than the unit or the coil dimensions in width and length and shall be constructed of corrosion-resistant material. Galvanized sheet steel pans shall have a minimum thickness of not less than 0.0236-inch (0.6010 mm) (No. 24 Gage). Nonmetallic pans shall have a minimum thickness of not less than 0.0625 inch (1.6 mm).
2. A separate overflow drain line shall be connected to the drain pan installed with the equipment. This overflow drain shall discharge to a conspicuous point of disposal to alert occupants in the event of a stoppage of the primary drain. The overflow drain line shall connect to the drain pan at a higher level than the primary drain connection.
3. An auxiliary drain pan without a separate drain line shall be installed under the coils on which condensation will occur. This pan shall be equipped with a water level detection device conforming to UL 508 that will shut off the equipment served prior to overflow of the pan. The pan shall be equipped with a fitting to allow for drainage. The auxiliary drain pan shall be constructed in accordance with Item 1 of this section.
4. A water level detection device conforming to UL 508 shall be installed that will shut off the equipment served in the event that the primary drain is blocked. The device shall be installed in the primary drain line, the overflow drain line or the equipment-supplied drain pan, located at a point higher than the primary drain line connection and below the overflow rim of such pan.
Joined: 06/28/2014 07:21 PM EDT
Messages: 1245
Location: San Diego CA
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Agree with both the above. Heck these days the easiest way to handle the secondary is to install a float type cut out switch instead of running a drain pipe.
Joined: 06/24/2014 08:55 AM EDT
Messages: 782
Location: Marquette Heights (Peoria) IL
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Gentlemen,
Thank you for your help on this question. Your answers is what I assumed the answer was, but I wanted to confirm it. As always, the help is appreciated.
Chad Dunham
Eagle's Nest Inspections
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