I’ve pointed them at the Watts user manual for the model 210 which describes the need for a pressure valve elsewhere in the system, but so far the plumber is unimpressed. Could someone help with a specific code citation, relevant to the use of a Watts 210 style gas shutoff device?

Febco860

The OP’s " plumber is unimpressed" is what I’ve observed on occasion, where someone removes the factory TPR and installs a 210 by itself.

Watts Backflow preventer

Since you are now a code inspector find in your code book where it says the water heater shall be installed in accordance to manufacturers installation instructions. Now reference the manual for the Watts 210 valve.

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The OP’s " plumber is unimpressed" is what I’ve observed on occasion, where someone removes the factory TPR and installs a 210 by itself.

Great topic! Had a situation similar in the last few years. I wanted to point out that there is a new amendment to the UPC for states (like California) that adopt the UPC instead of the IPC:

The FEBCO Series 825Y Reduced Pressure Zone Assemblies are used to protect against high hazard (toxic) fluids in water services to industrial plants, hospitals, morgues, mortuaries, and chemical plants. They are also used in irrigation systems, boiler feed, water lines and other installations requiring maximum protection.

Febco 825YRepair Kit

I have a encountered a plumber who for some years has been installing Watts 210 gas shutoff valves, without a pressure relief valve.

The Watts 210 valves I am referring to are being used where the TPR cannot be drained and meet California code. So, no, there’s no T&P valve, and if one was supplied with the water heater, it is removed.

Febco825YA

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Note this is all due to California’s exceptionally restrictive code on where the TPR can exit. It’s pretty unworkable in many situations, not just retrofit.

Febco 825Ytest procedures

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FEBCO 825Yspec Sheet

That “snarky” statement of following the manufacturers installation instructions is the exact verbiage you will find in the code book. There are many online resources to find your local codes. I recommend if you want to be a code inspector you familiarize yourself with how to look these codes up.

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here are the other 2 options. If they are not doing this. make an anonymous call to code enforcement. Maybe they dont care , because they are not pulling the permit to do the water heater install in the first place. Put the diagram in your report pointing this out. So the owner has something to show the plumber. Maybe they just dont understand what you are trying to say in your report.

It is sometimes removed to make room for the gas shut-off device, but the point is that it’s supposed to be there, as you indicated.

I’ve pointed them at the Watts user manual for the model 210 which describes the need for a pressure valve elsewhere in the system

What I’m looking for by posting here is other’s experiences, and any code references (specifically if IAMPO or UPC call out both explicitly, beyond the blanket and snarky “follow instructions”). This is a case where the plumber believes there is no safety problem – so just saying “follow instructions” likely won’t change things.