Grade Mounted Evap Cooler - Drain?

[John_187]

Hello,

There are some grade mounted evap coolers. When the internal evap cooler water sump drains (weekly or daily), can it simply discharge to grade? Currently grade is concrete, but it can be converted to landscaping if necessary. If not, I assume it would have to air gap to waste. I understand this may be an AHJ custom requirement, but I just want to know what is typical.

Thanks for any help

 

[michaelwoodcoc]

Evap cooler? Like a cooling tower?

Engineering student. Electrical or mechanical, I can't decide!
Minoring in psychology

 

[GT-EGR]

Assuming you are just supplying potable water to the evaporative cooler basin, and not treating it with any chemicals, then it's really not an issue to to drain it indirectly into the ground/storm water system the same way a condensate drain on a roof spills towards the roof drains. There are some AHJ's that don't allow condensate to go anywhere but sanitary, but I've only heard of these AHJ's and haven't yet encountered one with this limitation.

That being said - code does require that this drainage location not be a "nuisance" and does forbid draining to a street or alley - go to IMC section 307. Also keep in mind that this will stain the concrete over time, and you'll have a regular puddle of standing water if you don't pitch the adjacent concrete.

 

[RossABQ]

Assuming these are residential units, where you take the drains depends a lot on water quality. If you have a saline (high mineral content) water source, the further concentration of the salts in the coolers will kill vegetation.