14 | Continuous Flow Water Heater Installation Guide 04-12
EF models: Condensate drain
The Rinnai Infinity EF water heaters
generate condensate continuously
at a rate of up to five litres per hour
as a by-product of a highly efficient
gas burner. Condensate must be
drained via a pipe to a suitable
discharge point.
As condensate is a by-product of
gas combustion it is mildly acidic.
For this reason copper tube and
fittings MUST NOT be used as
it will corrode. Instead Rinnai
recommend plastic pipes and
fittings.
Important considerations for the
condensate drain pipe
Content of AS3500.4.2003 section
5.12 ‘Temperature/Pressure Relief
and Expansion Control Valve Drain
Lines’ has been used as a guide in
preparing these considerations.
A. Water heater drain outlet
connection, ½ “ (15 mm) BSP
male.
B. PE ½ “BSP (15 mm) female
to barbed ignition system
connector (13-19 mm) or
equivalent plastic fitting.
C. Drain pipe and fittings to
match (B).
D. Continuous fall of at least 2°
from water heater to discharge
point, length and bends in
accordance with ‘Maximum
length and changes of
direction greater than 45°’.
E. Suitable points of discharge
are deemed to be sewers or
pits. DO NOT discharge onto
electrical connections, earth
stakes, copper pipes, concrete
paths, or into a pond.
Maximum length and changes of
direction greater than 45°
Length and changes of direction
Max. length (m)
9 8 7 6
Max. changes of
direction (> 45°)
3 4 5 6
Installation of a condensate
drain
Point of discharge from each drain
line shall be located so the release
of condensate does not cause a
nuisance, is readily discernible and
incurs no risk of building damage.
There shall be no tap, valve or
other restrictions in any line. Each
line shall fall continuously from
the valve to the approved point of
discharge.
Drain lines shall not discharge into
a storage water heater safe tray.
The end of the condensate drain
line shall be:
- Not lower than 200 mm, or
higher than 300 mm above an
unpaved surface; or
- Not lower than 75 mm, or
higher than 300 mm above a
gravel pit, and not less than
100 mm in diameter in a paved
surface.
Where discharging over a tundish
or gully trap, drain lines shall have
an air gap of a size at least twice
the diameter of a drain line.
Joining of condensate drain lines
Condensate drain lines from
multiple water heaters may be
joined together provided they
conform with the installation
requirements stated on this page.
Common stack discharge
Where individual heaters are
installed in a multistory building,
the condensate drain lines may
discharge into a common stack
subject to the following:
- Drained to a tundish having
a discharge line that is not
less than the common stack,
directly connected to a
fixture trap, and installed in a
connection with any adjacent
soil or waste stack.
- Discharge point of the
common stack is readily
visible and does not cause any
nuisance.
- Common stack is vented by
extending the pipe upwards,
above the roof level.
Tundish drain lines
The drain line from any tundish
shall be not less than DN 20 or less
than one size larger than that of
the largest drain line discharging
into the tundish. Tundish drain
lines shall comply with the
installation requirements above.
Areas subject to freezing
In areas where water pipes are
prone to freezing, the drain pipe
from any valve shall be insulated
and not exceed 300 mm in length.
It shall discharge into a tundish
through an air gap of not less than
75 mm and not exceed more than
150 mm measured from the outlet
of the drain pipe to the rim of the
tundish.