Page 143 - 2018_IMC

SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS

1402.5 Protection of potable water. Where a solar thermal of roof construction of the building to which the collec-
system heats potable water to supply a potable hot water dis- tors are accessory.
tribution or any other type of heating system, the solar ther- 1402.8.1.3 Collectors as roof covering. Roof-mounted
mal system shall be in accordance with Sections 1402.5.1 solar collectors that also serve as a roof covering shall
through 1402.5.3 as applicable. conform to the requirements for roof coverings in
1402.5.1 Indirect systems. Water supplies of any type accordance with the International Building Code.
shall not be connected to the solar heating loop of an indi- Exception: The use of plastic solar collector covers
rect solar thermal hot water heating system. This require- shall be limited to those approved light-transmitting
ment shall not prohibit the presence of inlets or outlets on plastics meeting the requirements for plastic roof
the solar heating loop for the purposes of servicing the panels in Section 2609 of the International Building
fluid in the solar heating loop. Code.
1402.5.2 Direct systems for potable water distribution 1402.8.1.4 Collector sensors. Collector sensor installa-
systems. Where a solar thermal system directly heats pota- tion, sensor location and the protection of exposed sen-
ble water for a potable water distribution system, the pipe, sor wires from degradation shall be in accordance with
fittings, valves and other components that are in contact ICC 900/SRCC 300, NFPA 70 and the collector manu-
with the potable water in the system shall comply with the facturer’s instructions.
requirements of the International Plumbing Code. 1402.8.2 Ducts. Ducts utilized in solar heating and cool-
1402.5.3 Direct systems for other than potable water ing systems shall be constructed and installed in accor-
distribution systems. Where a solar thermal system dance with Chapter 6.
directly heats water for a system other than a potable water
distribution system, a potable water supply connected to 1402.8.2.1 Filtering. Air transported to occupied
such system shall be protected against backflow in accor- spaces through dust-producing materials by means
dance with the International Plumbing Code. other than natural convection shall be filtered before
1402.6 Protection of equipment. Solar thermal equipment entering the occupied space in accordance with Section
605.
exposed to vehicular traffic shall be installed not less than 6
feet (1829 mm) above the finished floor. 1402.8.3 Piping. Potable piping shall be installed in accor-
dance with the International Plumbing Code. Hydronic
Exception: This section shall not apply where the equip- piping shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 10 of
ment is protected from motor vehicle impact. this code. Mechanical system piping shall be supported in
1402.7 Protection of structure. In the process of installing accordance with Section 305.
or repairing any part of a solar thermal system, the building or 1402.8.3.1 Piping insulation. Piping shall be insulated
structure shall be left in a safe structural condition in accor- in accordance with the requirements of the Interna-
dance with Sections 302, 1402.7.1 and 1402.7.2. tional Energy Conservation Code. Exterior insulation
1402.7.1 Controlling condensation. Where attics or shall be protected from degradation. The entire solar
structural spaces are part of a passive solar system, venti- loop shall be insulated. Where split-style insulation is
lation of such spaces, as required by Section 406, is not used, the seam shall be sealed. Fittings shall be fully
required where other approved means of controlling con- insulated. Insulation shall comply with Section 1204.1.
densation are provided. Exceptions:
1402.7.2 Penetrations. Roof and wall penetrations shall 1. Those portions of the piping that are used to
be flashed and sealed to prevent entry of water, rodents help prevent the system from overheating
and insects in accordance with Section 302. shall not be required to be insulated.
1402.8 Equipment. The solar thermal system shall be 2. Those portions of piping that are exposed to
equipped in accordance with the requirements of Sections solar radiation, made of the same material as
1402.8.1 through 1402.8.5.3. the solar collector absorber plate and covered
1402.8.1 Collectors and panels. Solar collectors and pan- in the same manner as the solar collector
els shall comply with Sections 1402.8.1.1 through absorber, or that are used to collect additional
1402.8.1.4. solar energy, shall not be required to be insu-
lated.
1402.8.1.1 Design. Solar thermal collectors and panels
shall be listed and labeled in accordance with ICC 901/ 3. Piping in solar thermal systems using
SRCC 100. unglazed solar collectors to heat a swimming
1402.8.1.2 Rooftop-mounted solar thermal collec- pool shall not be required to be insulated.
tors and systems. The roof shall be constructed to sup- 1402.8.4 Heat exchangers. Heat exchangers used in
port the loads imposed by roof-mounted solar domestic water-heating systems shall be approved for the
collectors. Where mounted on or above the roof cover- intended use. The system shall have adequate protection to
ing, the collector array and supporting construction ensure that the potability of the water supply and distribu-
shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or tion system is properly safeguarded.
fire-retardant-treated wood conforming to the Interna- 1402.8.4.1 Double-wall heat exchangers. Heat
tional Building Code to the extent required for the type exchangers utilizing a non-food-grade fluid shall be

126 2018 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE 
Copyrighted © 2017 by, or licensed to, ICC (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to UL, LLC pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproductions authorized or distribution authorized.
ANY UNAUTHROIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT; AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.