If location of water heater does not have floor drain, the T&P waste line shall be piped outside of a building with a ____ turned down and piped to within ____ inches of ground

• A. 90, 2
• B. 90, 4
• C. 90, 6
• D. 45, 4

Answer: (B)

The situation tests how a T&P valve discharge should be routed when there’s no floor drain to receive it. When the valve releases, the discharge must be directed outside the building and terminate close to the exterior ground so the hot water and steam vent away from the building and occupants, reducing the chance of scalding or damage inside.

Using a 90-degree turn directs the line straight downward, promoting a clean, gravity-fed discharge that won’t run back toward the heater or into interior spaces. Ending the pipe within four inches of the ground keeps the outlet near grade—low enough to allow the water to disperse safely, while still preventing splashback or interference with landscaping, snow, or debris. This combination of a downward turn and a near-ground termination is what the code requires for outdoor T&P discharge when there’s no floor drain inside.

Other configurations don’t meet this requirement as effectively: a different angle or a longer distance from the ground would fail to ensure a proper downward flow or keep the discharge away from potential hazards and obstructions.