It should be stated and restated that codes and code enforcement vary from location to location within the US. The IMC (International Mechanical Code) is one of the most widely utilized and referenced. The 2015 version of the IMC section 307 is what I will be referring to in this article.

Condensate Disposal 

The code as it relates to condensate disposal in the IMC is pretty vague. It says that it must be disposed of in an “approved location” and that it shouldn't be dumped on walkways, streets, or alleys as to “cause a nuisance.”

That leaves us a lot of wiggle room for interpretation and a lot of authority to the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) and design professionals to establish what is and what isn't an “approved location.” Here are a few good guidelines:

• Don't dump condensate in places that could cause people to slip.
• Don't dump condensate around foundations, basements, or other areas that could cause ponding, erosion, or leakage.
• Don't dump condensate on a roof.
• When discharging into a shared drain or sewer system, ensure that it isn't piped so that waste fumes can enter the system or occupied space.

Drain Sizing

IMC 307.2.2 tells us that an A/C condensate drain inside diameter should not be smaller than 3/4″ and should not be smaller than the drain pan outlet diameter. According to the IMC, 3/4″ is sufficient for up to 20 tons unless the drain outlet size is larger than 3/4″.

Drain Pitch 

The IMC dictates a 1% minimum pitch of the drain, equal to 1/8″ fall for every 12″ (foot) of horizontal run. In practice, it is safer to use 1/4″ of fall per foot to ensure proper drainage and provide some wiggle room for error.

Support

Drains can be made out of many materials, but PVC is by far the most common. When a drain line is PVC, the IMC dictates that it should be supported every 4′ horizontally (while maintaining proper pitch) and every 10′ vertically.

Cleanout

IMC 307.2.5 states that the condensate assembly must be installed so that the drain line can be “cleared of blockages and maintained” without cutting the drain.

Traps & Vents 

The IMC states that condensate drains should be trapped according to manufacturers' specs. HOWEVER, new wording was added in IMC 307.2.4.1 that states that ductless systems must either have a check valve or a trap in the condensate line. While most manufacturers don't specify this on gravity ductless drains, it is something to look out for.

Venting after the trap (shown in both examples above) is an excellent idea in most applications because it helps prevent airlocks that can occur due to double traps and shared drains. It also prevents siphoning. This vent is AFTER the trap and must remain open to be effective. The vent opening should always rise above the trip level of the condensate overflow switch when it is in the primary drain line or pan or above the secondary/aux overflow port on the primary drain pan. That helps ensure that the water properly trips the switch instead of overflowing out of the vent if a backup occurs. While venting is a common best practice, it isn't required by the IMC.

Drain Insulation 

The IMC doesn't directly state that the drain line must be insulated. Many will point to where the ICC energy efficiency code states:

N1103.3
Mechanical system piping insulation. Mechanical system piping capable of carrying fluids above 105°F (40°C), or below 55°F (13°C) shall be insulated to a minimum of R-2.

But that excerpt really isn't talking about condensate drains when read in context.

Some municipalities do require that horizontal portions of the drain inside the structure be insulated to prevent condensation, and this standard makes sense to me. In Florida, we always insulate horizontal portions of the drain because we would have consistent growth and water damage issues due to the high dew points if we didn't.

Condensate Switches 

IMC 307.2.3 states that all HVAC equipment that produces condensate must have either a secondary drain line or a condensate overflow switch, a secondary drain pan with a secondary drain line, a condensate switch, or some combination of these installations should be used to prevent overflow if the primary drain line blocks.

This code includes rooftop units, ductless units, and downflow units, but the code does allow for the overflow prevention switch to be placed in the primary drain pan in these cases but NOT the primary drain line, according to 307.2.3.1

—Bryan

P.S. – If you're interested in reading a tech tip about drain cleaning best practices, check out this article.