Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Safety and Professional Services › SPS 301-399 - Safety, Buildings, and Environment › SPS 367-374 - General, Part III › Chapter SPS 371 - Solar energy systems › Subchapter IV - Materials and Workmanship › Section SPS 371.25 - Liquid systems

Current through June 24, 2024
This section shall apply to active solar energy systems
						and components that use liquid as a heat transfer fluid.
Note:
The connection of a solar energy
						system to the potable water supply system may require the obtaining of a local
						plumbing permit.
(1)LIQUID
					 DISTRIBUTION.
(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.
(b)
Pipe.
1. `Size.' Pipe sizing shall be in accordance
					 with accepted design practice or recognized methods.
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.
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.
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.
4. `Hangers and supports'. Pipe hangers and
					 supports shall be in accordance with s.
					 SPS
					 382.60.
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).
6. `Insulation.' Piping shall be insulated in
					 accordance with s.
					 SPS
					 371.21(3).
(c)
Valves.
1. Relief valves shall be designed and
					 installed in accordance with s.
					 SPS
					 371.22(3).
2. All required shutoff or control valves
					 shall be readily accessible.
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.
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).
(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.