On which side of the water heater should the T&P valve be installed?

On which side of the water heater should the T&P valve be installed?

• A. Cold Water Side
• B. Hot Water Side
• C. Both Sides
• D. Exterior Side

Answer: (B)

The temperature and pressure relief valve is a safety device that protects the hot water portion of the heater from overheating or overpressure, so it must be connected to the hot water side near the top of the tank. When the tank gets too hot or pressure rises, this valve opens and vents hot water to a safe drain path. If it were placed on the cold water side, it wouldn’t respond to conditions in the hot portion, and the discharge could flow into the cold supply line or fail to protect the hot water path, defeating the safety purpose. The discharge pipe should go downward to a drain or safe location, not back into the cold line.

The temperature and pressure relief valve is a safety device that protects the hot water portion of the heater from overheating or overpressure, so it must be connected to the hot water side near the top of the tank. When the tank gets too hot or pressure rises, this valve opens and vents hot water to a safe drain path. If it were placed on the cold water side, it wouldn’t respond to conditions in the hot portion, and the discharge could flow into the cold supply line or fail to protect the hot water path, defeating the safety purpose. The discharge pipe should go downward to a drain or safe location, not back into the cold line.