A roof condensate drain should not drain into which drainage path?

• A. French drain
• B. Sewer
• C. Storm drain
• D. Gutter

Answer: (A)

A roof condensate drain should be kept out of groundwater or stormwater drainage features and routed through a proper building drainage path. A French drain is a subsurface trench designed to collect groundwater and direct it away from a foundation; it’s not part of the building’s sanitary plumbing and it doesn’t provide the proper trap, venting, or control needed for condensate from HVAC equipment. Draining condensate into a French drain could bypass required plumbing safeguards and may violate code, potentially allowing backflow or other issues. In contrast, condensate is typically discharged into the building’s sanitary drainage system or to an approved outdoor outlet designed for condensate, with the necessary backflow protection.