Board refuses addition of drain line to outside of unit, even though law requires drain line.

I live in condominium that has frequent floods from water heaters without floodstops and drain pans. When I initially proposed my remodel, the plans included that the contractor create a drain line, and the board approved the remodel. So I'm about half way through my remodel, and now that the contractors are working on the water heater, they have discovered there isn't a place to drain the water into! There is no nearby drain line to attach the drain to. The only way to add a drain to the drain pan is to drill a 3/4 inch hole in the EXTERIOR of the building and attach it to the adjacent downspout outside. The neighbor below me has requested this method as well, so her unit doesn't get flooded. But the board is refusing the addition of the drain line now because the association had an expensive waterproofing on the exterior of the unit added last year for an exorbitant amount of money, and they are scared of damages. But now that the water heater is being replaced, permits have been pulled, and the unit is legally required to have a drain line.

Other units in my complex either don't have drain lines (they were grandfathered into not needing one), or have different floor plans with their water heaters conveniently located next to an existing drain line.

I am already adding floodstops by choice, but I need to add this drain line by law. What should I do in this case? Should I re-propose with some more paperwork? Do they have the right to deny my request? Should I just have the workers do it, and then they can try and remove it in the future? What are my options?

Now, is that truly the "only" way or is it the easiest and most cost effective?

I've seen water pans that have had a small pump attached (similar to the function of a sump pump) to get the water to a different location. Perhaps that's an option the builder hasn't considered.

David - the law being spoken about would be the applicable building codes.

I could spend another $100,000 and a few months rebuilding the entire unit and floor plan, but that's unreasonable. The contractors have all told me they haven't seen any other options, unfortunately.

the 'fly in the ointment' is the REQUIRED Temperature/Pressure Safety relief Valve

which, among other requirements, MUST

discharge to safe place where it will not create any damage

said valve will 'pop wide open' upon sensing 210 degree water and remain FULL OPEN for several minutes until temperature falls below 180 degrees

NO pan will contain said discharge UNLESS the 'flood stop' system works PERFECTLY and QUICKLY to shut off the cold water supply.

You must follow both the Building Code AND your HOA's requirement NOT to penetrate the building envelope.

If the requirements prove costly, so be it - the job (lack of pan and drain) was not compliant originally

I would recommend you relocate your water heater to a drain area or add a drain to goto your water heater to meet todays code requirements.

Other units that are grandfathered do not have to meet these requirements because they met code when installed years ago. "You" must meet TODAYS code, which is stricter because you are replacing it.