SPS 371.24(2)(c)
(c) Collectors and components. Collectors and other components, such as air handling units, heat exchangers and filters, shall be assembled and sealed in accordance with manufacturer's and system designer's instructions. Sealing shall include all joints between components and ducts. Equivalent airtightness shall be provided for site-built collectors.
SPS 371.24(3)(a)(a) Cold airflow prevention. The solar energy system shall be designed and installed to prevent cold airflow across the water heater coil. If mechanical dampers are used to meet this requirement, they shall not allow leakage of more than 5% of the solar energy system design airflow rate at one-inch water column.
SPS 371.24(3)(b)
(b) Secondary freeze protection. Solar energy systems using electrical or mechanical devices for freeze protection, shall incorporate a secondary freeze protection system in case of mechanical failure. An electrical freeze sensor which activates the pump to circulate fluid through the water heater coil may be used to meet this requirement.
SPS 371.24(3)(c)
(c) Nonautomatic freeze protection. Any nonautomatic freeze protection shall be noted as such in the operation and maintenance manual.
SPS 371.24(4)(a)(a) Air quality. Heat transfer fluid, heat storage media and thermal storage materials, including any interior protective coating, may not impart toxic elements or offensive odors to air distributed to areas of human occupancy.
SPS 371.24(4)(c)
(c) Loads and environmental conditions. Loads shall meet the requirements of
s. SPS 371.21 (7). Thermal storage located outside or underground shall be waterproof.
SPS 371.24(4)(d)
(d) Rock storage. When rock is utilized for thermal storage, the rock shall be cleaned and dried before it is placed into the storage area. The thermal storage shall be provided with an inlet and an outlet plenum.
SPS 371.24(4)(e)
(e) Phase change. If phase change storage materials are used, they shall be placed in sealed containers.
SPS 371.24(5)(a)(a) Volume control dampers shall be installed in each branch or zone duct. Single leaf dampers which are a part of a manufactured air grille may not be used.
SPS 371.24(5)(b)
(b) Opposed blade dampers which are a part of a manufactured air grille shall be acceptable if sufficient space is provided behind the grille face for proper operation of the damper. Where space prohibits the use of an opposed blade damper behind the grille face, an opposed blade damper may be installed in the register stack at a location where it is accessible from the grille opening.
SPS 371.24(5)(c)
(c) Volume control dampers shall be of a type and size that will satisfy the design conditions of the duct system.
SPS 371.24(5)(d)
(d) Backdraft dampers or motorized dampers shall be installed so as to prevent air passage through the collectors when solar energy is not being collected.
SPS 371.24(5)(e)
(e) Dampers installed in the primary solar duct system shall have felted blade edges or otherwise be treated to insure tight cutoff of the airstream.
SPS 371.24(5)(f)
(f) Volume control dampers shall be furnished with a locking control device to hold the damper in its fixed control position unless the damper is motor controlled.
SPS 371.24(6)(a)(a) Blowers shall be of a type and size that will satisfy the design conditions of the solar energy system.
SPS 371.24(6)(b)
(b) All blowers shall be rated by the manufacturers in cfm capacity against a specific external static pressure.
SPS 371.24 History
History: Cr.
Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86;
CR 01-139: am. (1) (d) 1.
Register June 2002 No. 558, eff. 7-1-02; correction in (1) (c), (d) 1., (4) (b), (c) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register December 2011 No. 672.
SPS 371.25
SPS 371.25 Liquid systems. This section shall apply to active solar energy systems and components that use liquid as a heat transfer fluid.
SPS 371.25 Note
Note: The connection of a solar energy system to the potable water supply system may require the obtaining of a local plumbing permit.
SPS 371.25(1)(a)(a) Design. Components shall be designed for flow rates, temperatures, pressures, mechanical stresses, material properties and heat transfer fluid characteristics to provide proper and efficient performance.
SPS 371.25(1)(b)1.1. `Size.' Pipe sizing shall be in accordance with accepted design practice or recognized methods.
SPS 371.25 Note
Note: The sizes of pipe to be used for mains and risers may be selected from the ASHRAE Guide and Data Book, published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; or from the manuals published by The Hydronics Institute, 35 Russo Place, Berkely Heights, New Jersey 07922 or the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 120, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
SPS 371.25(1)(b)2.
2. `Pipe materials.' Piping materials for open loop systems shall comply with
s. SPS 384.30. Piping materials for closed loop systems shall be schedule 40 black pipe, type K, L or M copper, or other pipe approved by the department. Unglazed, nonconcentrating collectors, limited to unpressurized systems for swimming pool and spa heating applications, with a maximum operating temperature of 200ºF, may utilize rubber or plastic plates and piping.
SPS 371.25(1)(b)3.
3. `Draining and filling.' Where the design requires piping to be drained to protect the solar energy system from freezing or where the heat transfer fluid must be replaced as part of regular maintenance, the piping shall be pitched toward a designated point in the solar energy system to permit drainage. Appropriate valving to drain and fill the solar energy system shall also be supplied.
SPS 371.25(1)(b)5.
5. `Identification of potable and nonpotable water.' The identification of potable and nonpotable water piping systems shall be in accordance with
s. SPS 382.40 (3) (b).
SPS 371.25(1)(c)3.
3. Valves used to charge or drain closed loop systems shall be the loose-key type, have valve outlets capped or have handles removed when the solar energy system is operational.
SPS 371.25(1)(c)4.
4. The cold water branch to each thermal storage tank or water heater shall be provided with a valve located in the same room near the equipment and serving only this equipment in accordance with
s. SPS 382.40 (4).
SPS 371.25(1)(d)
(d) Sealants and gaskets. Gaskets, sealants, hoses and other plastic, rubber and synthetic parts may not be adversely affected by contact with heat transfer fluids, high temperatures, high pressures or sunlight to an extent that their ability to function is impaired.
SPS 371.25(2)
(2) Pumps. Pumps shall be sized to provide an adequate flow. Pumps shall be properly matched with the heat transfer fluid so that potable water quality is maintained and pump and loop parts are not degraded under normal operating conditions.
SPS 371.25 Note
Note: It is recommended to use centrifugal-type pumps.
SPS 371.25(3)(a)(a) Liquid expansion required. Any portion of the solar energy system utilizing a closed loop shall be provided with a means for liquid expansion. The expansion tank, or other approved method, shall have the capacity to withstand the heat transfer fluid expansion from minimum to maximum design temperatures and be compatible with the heat transfer fluid.
SPS 371.25(3)(b)
(b) Open expansion tanks. Solar energy systems, equipped with an open expansion tank to satisfy heat transfer fluid expansion, shall be provided with an indoor overflow, from the upper portion of the expansion tank, in addition to an open vent. The indoor overflow shall be carried within the building or dwelling to an approved drain.
SPS 371.25(3)(c)1.1. Closed loop systems shall have an airtight tank or other suitable air cushion that shall be:
SPS 371.25(3)(c)1.b.
b. Suitably designed for a hydrostatic test pressure of 2.5 times the design pressure of the closed loop system.
SPS 371.25(3)(c)2.
2. Expansion tanks for closed loop systems designed to operate at or above 50 psig shall be constructed in accordance with
ch. SPS 341.
SPS 371.25(4)
(4) Thermal storage. Thermal storage for domestic or industrial use shall meet the requirements of
s. SPS 382.40 (5) and the following:
SPS 371.25(4)(a)
(a) Thermal storage shall be located in heated areas whenever possible.
SPS 371.25(4)(d)
(d) Thermal storage shall be designed and installed to withstand all anticipated loads and environmental conditions.
SPS 371.25(4)(e)
(e) Thermal storage shall be designed for maximum operating temperatures and pressures.
SPS 371.25(4)(g)
(g) Only pressurized thermal storage shall be used for potable water.
SPS 371.25(4)(i)
(i) Thermal storage buried outdoors shall be located at least 3 feet away from the building for every foot excavated below the footing.
SPS 371.25(4)(j)
(j) Nonpressurized thermal storage shall be provided with a vent to the outside atmosphere. The thermal storage opening for the vent shall be sealed at the penetration of the thermal storage, and the vent shall be provided with a
1/
16-inch mesh screen to prevent the entrance of vermin.
SPS 371.25(4)(k)
(k) Nonpressurized thermal storage shall be provided with an overflow piped to an approved drain.
SPS 371.25(5)(b)
(b) Joints and connections for closed loop systems with nonconcentrating collectors and type K, L or M copper tubing may be soldered with 50/50 solder to within 5 feet of the collectors. Within 5 feet of the collectors, soldering shall be in compliance with
par. (a).
SPS 371.25(5)(c)
(c) Joints and connections within 5 feet of concentrating collectors shall be silver brazed or attached with proper flare, compression or threaded joint.
SPS 371.25(6)(a)(a) All solar energy systems, except draindown and drainback systems, utilized during periods when outdoor temperatures are below 40ºF, shall be provided with freeze protection.
SPS 371.25(6)(b)
(b) Components containing liquid heat transfer fluids shall be provided a means of protection from freeze damage. Automatic freeze protection shall be provided in a power failure mode.
SPS 371.25(6)(c)
(c) Any nonautomatic freeze protection shall be noted as such in the operation and maintenance manual.
SPS 371.25(6)(d)
(d) Collectors and piping which must drain for freeze protection shall be installed with a slope of at least 1/8 inch per foot.
SPS 371.25(7)(a)(a) Prohibited connections to fixtures and equipment. Protection against backflow or back siphonage shall be provided for connections to potable water supply systems in accordance with
s. SPS 382.41.
SPS 371.25(7)(b)
(b) Recirculating water. Water used for space heating may not be returned to the potable water system.
SPS 371.25(7)(c)
(c) Toxic elements. Heat transfer fluids, heat storage media and thermal storage materials, including any interior protective coatings, may not impart toxic elements to potable water.
SPS 371.25 History
History: Cr.
Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86; corrections in (1) (c) 4., (3) (c) 2., (4) (intro.) and (7) (a) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register June 2002 No. 558; correction in (1) (b) 2., 4., 5., 6., (c) 1., 4., (3) (c) 2., (4) (intro.) (b), (f), (5) (a), (7) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register December 2011 No. 672.
SPS 371.26
SPS 371.26 Electrical requirements. All electrical work shall conform to the Wisconsin Electrical Code,
ch. SPS 316.
SPS 371.30
SPS 371.30 Photovoltaic solar energy systems. SPS 371.30(2)
(2) Electrical requirements. All electrical wiring, installation, equipment and materials used in the construction and installation of photovoltaic solar energy systems shall comply with the Wisconsin Electrical Code,
ch. SPS 316.
SPS 371.30 Note
Note: For design requirements and definitions for photovoltaic solar energy systems, see Article 690, of the National Electrical Code (NEC), as adopted by reference in the Wisconsin Electrical Code, Volume 2, ch.
SPS 316.
SPS 371.30 History
History: Cr.
Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86;
CR 01-139: am. (2)
Register June 2002 No. 558, eff. 7-1-02; correction in (1), (2) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register December 2011 No. 672.
SPS 371.40
SPS 371.40 Purpose. Pursuant to s.
101.175 (4) (a), Stats., this subchapter establishes the requirement of a warranty and minimum warranty requirements for solar energy systems and components.
SPS 371.40 Note
Note: The requirements of this subchapter are recommended standards. See s.
SPS 371.03.
SPS 371.40 History
History: Cr.
Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86.
SPS 371.41
SPS 371.41 System designer's warranty. All new solar energy systems shall be covered by a system designer's warranty. The system designer's warranty shall meet or exceed the following requirements:
SPS 371.41(1)
(1) Type and duration of warranty. The system designer shall issue to every buyer a written warranty that meets the following minimum requirements:
