Can you drain a washing machine (only) with 1 1/2'' pvc , my inspector says it must be 2'' ?

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sawhorse

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Code says laundry machine has a load value of 2(DFU) and a 1 1/2 pipe has a load rating of three so why a 2 inch pipe ?
 
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Reach4

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Many newer washers pump the water out faster, so hence the code thing. 1.5 may or may not work OK with your washer.
 

Cool Blue Harley

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Code says laundry machine has a load value of 2(DFU) and a 1 1/2 pipe has a load rating of three so why a 2 inch pipe ?

Clothes washers are normally rated at 3 DFU each. Clothes washers in a battery of three or more are rated at 6 fixture units when sizing the common horizontal and vertical waste pipe sizing to take into account the possibility of simultaneous discharge and the suds producing effect in the drainage piping.

A 1&1/2 inch pipe is rated at 2 DFU vertical and 1 DFU horizontal.

A fixture unit is a numerical load factor which measures on some select scale the load-producing effects of a single plumbing fixture of a given kind.
 

hj

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It makes no difference whether a 1 1/2" line can drain the washer, because you are not going to get it approved until you satisfy the inspector. But, almost, if not all, codes do call for at least a 2" drain for a washer.
 
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