Section SPS 371.23 - Collectors(1) COLLECTOR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. After January 1, 1987, all collectors shall be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC), the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) or equivalent. This provision does not apply to home-built systems, custom-built systems and small manufacturers. As used in this subsection:(a) "Home-built system" means an owner-installed solar energy system incorporating a collector assembled by the system owner from components, but does not include manufactured collectors supplied as an integral unit and installed by the owner.(b) "Custom-built system" means a one-of-a-kind solar energy system incorporating a collector fabricated at the installation site from components, but does not include modular systems in which the modular components are assembled at the installation site.(c) "Small manufacturer" means a business that builds or assembles less than 2500 square feet of collector per year and elects not to list with SRCC or ARI. Note: Certification of collectors by the SRCC and the ARI is based on the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards 93-77 and 95-1981. Further information can be obtained from the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20036, or the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, 1501 Wilson Boulevard, 6th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209.
(2)COLLECTOR TILT AND ORIENTATION. Collectors shall be installed as close to the optimum tilt angle as conditions allow and within 45º of due south.(3)COLLECTOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. (a)Transmission losses due to outgassing. Outgassing of volatiles from components may not reduce the collector performance below the declared collector performance when the collector is exposed to the temperatures and pressures that will occur in actual service.(b)Dirt retention. The cover plate under normal weather conditions may not, with normal maintenance, collect or retain excessive dirt.(c)Glass. Glass used in collector construction shall be tempered.(d)Glazings. Glazings subject to human impact and within 7 feet of ground level shall be safety glazing material constructed, treated or combined with other materials so as to minimize the likelihood of cutting and piercing injuries resulting from human impact with the glazing material.(e)Plastic. Plastic used in collector construction shall be capable of withstanding the maximum operating pressure and temperature, and shall be used in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.(f)No-flow. The collector shall be capable of withstanding no-flow conditions.(g)Leakage. The construction of the collector shall provide protection against: 1. External leakage of the heat transfer fluid from the collector;2. Internal leakage into the collector from environmental conditions; and3. Internal leakage of the heat transfer fluid from the collector from cleaning operations as performed during routine maintenance as specified in the operation and maintenance manual.(h)Corrosion.1. All materials used in the absorber or heat transfer fluid conduits may not be pitted, corroded, or otherwise degraded by the heat transfer fluid to an extent that will result in failure during its design life.2. In closed loop systems, aluminum may not be connected with copper or iron. Separation of different pipe materials by isolating bushings is not acceptable.(i)Ultraviolet stability. All materials used in the collector may not degrade when exposed to ultraviolet radiation to an extent that will reduce the collector performance below the declared collector performance.(j)Insulation. Collector insulation shall be capable of withstanding moisture, ultraviolet radiation, and environmental exposure.(4)COLLECTOR MOUNTING AND INSTALLATION. (a)Mounting.1. `Mounting on roofs.' Load design requirements shall be in accordance with s. SPS 371.21(7).2. `Mounting on the ground.' When collectors are located on concrete slabs, the slab shall be a minimum of 4 inches thick. Collectors shall be located a minimum of 6 inches above the ground surface. Collectors installed on the ground shall be adequately supported and anchored.3. `Collector stresses.' Structural supports may not impose undue stresses on the collector.4. `Wood.' All wood components used in collector mounting which are exposed to the environment shall be resistant to decay in accordance with s. SPS 371.21(4) (d). Wood used in collector frames or housings shall be protected against structural degradation due to high temperature exposure.5. `Metal.' All metal parts shall be protected from environmental conditions in accordance with s. SPS 371.22(7) (b) and (c).6. `Tilt and orientation.' Structural supports shall be constructed to maintain collector tilt and orientation within design conditions throughout the life of the solar energy system.(b)Installation.1. `Instructions.' Collectors shall be installed in accordance with the instructions provided by the system designer.2. `Fire protection.' Collectors made of combustible materials may not be located on or adjacent to construction required to be of noncombustible materials. Collector installation shall also comply with s. SPS 371.21(6).3. `Safety.' Safe access to components subject to deterioration or failure, such as rubber hoses, joint sealants, and cover plates, shall be provided to allow for maintenance or repair. For roof-mounted collectors, the work space adjacent to collectors and provisions for safe placement of ladders shall be considered.4. `Moisture protection.' Collector installation may not contribute to moisture buildup, rotting, or other accelerated deterioration of roofing materials. Collectors and structural supports shall be installed in a manner such that water flowing off the collector surface and structural supports will not accelerate formation of ice dams or cause water damage to the building or dwelling. Provisions shall be taken to minimize buildup of snow upon collectors, which may reduce their effectiveness.5. `Caulking and sealing.' Joints between structural supports and buildings or dwellings shall be caulked and flashed to prevent water leakage. Bolts or other means of fastening the collector or structural supports to the roof shall be sealed from water penetration.6. `Filling and draining.' Interconnecting piping or ducting shall be installed to minimize flow restrictions and to provide balanced flow. Piping shall be installed to allow for filling and draining.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Safety and Professional Services SPS 371.23
Cr. Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86; correction in (4) (a) 1., 4., 5., (b) 2. made under s. 13.92(4) (b) 7, Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.