The T&P valve installed on each water heater on the hot water side shall be placed within _____ ____ of the water heater

The T&P valve installed on each water heater on the hot water side shall be placed within _____ ____ of the water heater

• A. 6 Inches
• B. 1 Inch
• C. 2 Inches
• D. 3 Inches

Answer: (D)

The important idea is that the T&P relief valve must be immediately effective if the tank pressures or temperatures get too high. Placing it very close to the heater on the hot-water side ensures the valve responds to the actual conditions inside the tank and that the discharge path is short and direct. With the valve within three inches of the water heater, the volume of hot water between the tank and the valve is minimized, which helps the relief mechanism operate quickly and reliably and makes routing the discharge pipe safer and simpler. If the valve were farther away, the relief could be delayed or the piping could become awkward or blocked, reducing the effectiveness of this safety device.

The important idea is that the T&P relief valve must be immediately effective if the tank pressures or temperatures get too high. Placing it very close to the heater on the hot-water side ensures the valve responds to the actual conditions inside the tank and that the discharge path is short and direct. With the valve within three inches of the water heater, the volume of hot water between the tank and the valve is minimized, which helps the relief mechanism operate quickly and reliably and makes routing the discharge pipe safer and simpler. If the valve were farther away, the relief could be delayed or the piping could become awkward or blocked, reducing the effectiveness of this safety device.