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What is the difference between an air gap and an air break?

An air break simply requires that there be no direct physical connection between the fixture indirect waste pipe and the receptor (see Figure 801.2a). The drainage air gap is not the same as the water distribution air gap. The water distribution air gap is defined in Chapter 6 and determined by Table 603.3.

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If you have questions or comments, join the discussion on our LinkedIn forum. From the 2015 UPC Illustrated Training Manual 801.2 Air Gap or Air Break Required. Indirect waste piping shall discharge into the building drainage system through an air gap or air break as set forth in this code. Where a drainage air gap is required by this code, the minimum vertical distance as measured from the lowest point of the indirect waste pipe or the fixture outlet to the flood-level rim of the receptor shall be not less than 1 inch (25.4 mm). An indirect waste pipe does not connect directly to the drainage system, but conveys liquid waste by discharging it into a plumbing fixture, receptor or receptacle, which in turn is directly connected to the drainage system. Various types of fixtures, appliances and equipment are required to discharge their wastes to the drainage system by indirect waste. There are two types of indirect waste piping:

1. Indirect waste that discharges to the receptor through an air break

2. Indirect waste that discharges to the receptor through an air gap. There are two types of air gaps:

a. Water distribution air gap.

b. Drainage air gap.

An air break provides a physical separation between the fixture indirect waste pipe and the receptor. If allowed by the code, the fixture indirect waste pipe may terminate below the flood level rim of the receptor, creating a low inlet into the receptor. An air break simply requires that there be no direct physical connection between the fixture indirect waste pipe and the receptor (see Figure 801.2a). The drainage air gap is not the same as the water distribution air gap. The water distribution air gap is defined in Chapter 6 and determined by Table 603.3.1 (see Figure 801.2b). The water distribution air gap minimum size is also one inch but also requires that the air gap height be a minimum of two times the diameter of the indirect waste pipe if the size is over one-half of an inch. The drainage air gap (see Figure 801.2c) is defined as the vertical distance as measured from the lowest point of the indirect waste pipe or fixture outlet to the overflow rim of the receptor. This distance is a minimum of one inch. There are no further requirements, unlike those that exist for the water distribution air gap. The 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code Illustrated Training Manual eBook is available for purchase here. © 2017 International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

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Never spray insulating foam inside an electrical box, as this can cause overheating of the wires.

While many people are well aware of the energy loss that occurs around windows and doors, few recognize that electrical boxes for wall switches, outlets, phone junctions, and other devices add up to a surprisingly big energy drain. If you closely examine electrical boxes located on exterior walls or walls that face unheated spaces, you can often feel cold drafts coming through the box or around the edges of cover plates. And although you don't feel it, these boxes are also spots where you are losing air-conditioned air to the outdoors during the cooling season. The reason for this is simple. Even if a wall or ceiling is sufficiently insulated, the insulation may have been cut away to make room for the electrical boxes, which means these spots become conduits for air to pass through. And on walls where there is no insulation or insufficient insulation, air circulating inside the wall finds a perfect pathway into living spaces through the electrical box cutouts in the drywall or plaster. In winter, this becomes a source of indoor heat loss, and in summer, a source of heat gain from the outdoors. Fortunately, correcting the problem isn't difficult. It involves adding insulation where you can and sealing air gaps around electrical boxes. There are three common methods for insulating electrical boxes.

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