You make the call

[gtblum]

Do you call out the pex because it's not in the rule book, or do you let it slide?

Is it rigid enough to take the discharge without whipping around like a snake?

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[Jim Katen]

If the whipping around like a snake thing bothers you, tell them to secure it in place with a little bracket.

By the way, I messed with some PEX on the end of a hose, hoping to see some snake whipping. The most I was ever able to get was it moving about 4".

[Scottpat]

I'm more concerned with supports/clamps/holders with PEX on long runs, in walls and at fixtures.

[Rob Amaral]

Just quote WH mfgr specs... and leave it at that...

I gotta say though, I once (once in 20 yrs) had a pressure-relief valve 'go off' (on a boiler) while I was standing there... kind of a heads-up..for me and a learning experience.. it's a very nasty, short burst of 'hotness' that could A) Scald you (including your eyes) and B) startle the *#$t out of you..

I could see this discharge arcing and doing a 'bit of a whip' because of the angular flexible path provided... 'not a great idea'.. (but skip the Newtonian physics responses...)

Just put the copper tube on it like 99.99% of plumbers on this planet do 'and you'll be better off.. "

In other words.. for crying out loud Mr or Mrs/Ms/Whatever you are.Plumber ... 'just do your job... "!

[John Kogel]

Nah, 99% of the plumbers here use PVC. Pay the $10 and screw it in by hand.

That piece of PEX is a non-issue in my book, but PVC is stiffer and stiffer is better. []

[Eric B]

I comment on any extensions that are not metal pipe - it's the requirement in my state. For me it's an FYI condition.

[gtblum]

For some reason, I understood metal was the only accepted material here, as well.

Either way, with the price of copper, I expect to see much more of this in the future.

Thanks for the results of your experiment, Jim.

My mind was 90% made up, when I walked away from it. The experiment sealed the deal.

[aschauer82]

Do you call out the pex because it's not in the rule book, or do you let it slide?

Is it rigid enough to take the discharge without whipping around like a snake?

Click to Enlarge

31.87 KB

It can not cost much to have pvc pipe installed. I would say the PEX is not proper material for this use and recommend have a PVC, Copper, or Galvanized installed.

[Scottpat]

Do you call out the pex because it's not in the rule book, or do you let it slide?

Is it rigid enough to take the discharge without whipping around like a snake?

Click to Enlarge

31.87 KB

It can not cost much to have pvc pipe installed. I would say the PEX is not proper material for this use and recommend have a PVC, Copper, or Galvanized installed.

PVC is not allowed for TPR discharge lines, it is not rated for the heat and it will melt. CPVC on the other hand is Okay. PEX is just fine, it will handle the heat. Just add a strap towards the bottom to hold it in place.

[Jim Katen]

It can not cost much to have pvc pipe installed. I would say the PEX is not proper material for this use and recommend have a PVC, Copper, or Galvanized installed.

In Oregon, the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code only recognizes galvanized steel, hard-drawn copper, or CPVC for this purpose.

Watts makes a PVC drain tube that's specifically intended for use with TPR valves. Supposedly it's listed with UPC and IAPMO and it has an ASME approval. When I see those, I let them be.

http://www.watts.com/pages/_products_de ... p?pid=3439