LoadPedal
11-21-2010, 09:45 PM
Currently I have a 40 ton packaged PoolPak dehumidification system. It is conditioning an indoor pool and will be running all winter long. The manufacturers specs say to wrap all (4) condensate traps with heat tape and specified insulation. Ok done. The engineer on the project created a detail on the contract drawings that shows the condensate traps piped within 5' of the roof drains (almost 20' away).
I didn't follow the engineers spec. Instead, I went with the manufacturer's spec. I did this for a couple reasons: 1) I have found this engineer to not read the manufacturer's spec in at least two other instances on this job 2) The heat tape is only specified on the traps. If all four condensate traps drain into one pipe then to the roof drain, won't the condensate main have a good chance to freeze? Especially if the roof drain were to clog or if for some reason deep water puddles accumulate on the roof, then the end of the pipe will freeze won't it? It just doesn't feel right to me and that's the reason we didn't install it per the engineer's spec. Now it's a punch list item.
I didn't follow the engineers spec. Instead, I went with the manufacturer's spec. I did this for a couple reasons: 1) I have found this engineer to not read the manufacturer's spec in at least two other instances on this job 2) The heat tape is only specified on the traps. If all four condensate traps drain into one pipe then to the roof drain, won't the condensate main have a good chance to freeze? Especially if the roof drain were to clog or if for some reason deep water puddles accumulate on the roof, then the end of the pipe will freeze won't it? It just doesn't feel right to me and that's the reason we didn't install it per the engineer's spec. Now it's a punch list item.