Condensate Drains - PVC vs CPVC

[Shane]

Hi guys,

Does anyone know if its code in Ontario to use cpvc for condensate drain pipe or can you just use pvc?

Cheers

[Admin]

Clause 4.2.1 of the B149.1-10 says,

Clause 4.2.1 - An appliance, accessory, component, equipment, or material used in an installation shall be of a type and rating approved for the specific purpose for which it is employed.

There's nothing in the B149.1-10 that deals with the material used for drain lines.

You should refer to the appliances installation manual.  For example the Lennox EL296 installation manual says,

Figure 52 shows trap assembly using 1/2" PVC or 3/4" PVC.

I attached a picture below of Figure 52, which lists all the condensation drain line components as PVC.

The Building Code Part 7 deals with drain lines.  It seems to allow ABS, PVC and CPVC.

7.2.5.12. Plastic Pipe, Fittings and Solvent Cement Used in Buildings
(1) Plastic pipe, fittings and solvent cement used inside or under a building in a sanitary drainage system or venting system shall be certified to,
(a) ASTM F628, "Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Schedule 40 Plastic Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe With a Cellular Core",
(b) CAN/CSA-B181.1, "Acrylonitrile-Butadiene- Styrene (ABS) Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe and Pipe Fittings", or
(c) CAN/CSA-B181.2, "Polyvinylchloride (PVC) and Chlorinated Polyvinylchloride (CPVC) Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe and Pipe Fittings".
(2) Plastic pipe, fittings and solvent cement used inside a building in a storm drainage system shall be certified to,
(a) ASTM F628, "Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Schedule 40 Plastic Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe With a Cellular Core",
(b) CAN/CSA-B181.1, "Acrylonitrile-Butadiene- Styrene (ABS) Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe and Pipe Fittings",
(c) CAN/CSA-B181.2, "Polyvinylchloride (PVC) and Chlorinated Polyvinylchloride (CPVC) Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe and Pipe Fittings",
(d) CAN/CSA-B182.1, "Plastic Drain and Sewer Pipe and Pipe Fittings", or
(e) CAN/CSA-B182.2, "PSM Type Polyvinylchloride (PVC) Sewer Pipe and Fittings".

7.4.2. Connections to Drainage Systems

7.4.2.1. Connections to Sanitary Drainage Systems
(d) the following devices shall be indirectly connected to a drainage system:
(vi) a drain or overflow from a water system or a heating system, or
(vii) a drain line from an HVAC system or equipment

I would think that if the drain line serving the house can handle the condensate from a our HVAC equipment, then the same material would work fine as our condensate drain line.  Ultimately I would follow the appliances installation instructions, as that is what the fuel distributor would look for during an inspection.

[Porcupinepuffer]

Carrier clearly states you can use pvc. We've even been told by Carrier we can use vinyl tubing.