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Solar Water Heater installation

P

PhoenixBob

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2009
Messages
13
Location
Phoenix,Az
I have been going round and round with the contractors and plumbers installing new drainback Solar Water Heaters with additional storage tanks.

2006 IRC Section 2301.2.8 Solar Loop Isolation---- Valves shall be installed to allow the solar collectors to be isolated from the remainder of the system. Each isolation valve shall be labeled with the open and closed position.

2006 IPC Section 503.1 Cold water line valve----The cold water branch line from the main water supply line to each hot water storage tank or water heater shall be provided with a valve etc.

Do your jurisdictions require these valves to isolate the systems.
 
Re: Solar Water Heater installation

PB,

Not sure what the plumbering cotractors are conserned about; but, if your talking about water shutoff valves on both the cold inlet and hot water outlet lines of the water heater; then, they have valid objections. Should anyone including the homeowner shut off both valves; you have a good chance of the water heater expoding.

What are the contractors objections?

Uncle Bob
 
Re: Solar Water Heater installation

P2903.9.2 Water heater valve.

A readily accessible full-open valve shall be installed in the cold-water supply pipe to each water heater at or near the water heater.

M2301.2.8 Solar loop isolation.

Valves shall be installed to allow the solar collectors to be isolated from the remainder of the system. Each isolation valve shall be labeled with the open and closed position.

Two different scenerios--3 valves are required.
 
Re: Solar Water Heater installation

Skip,

Two scenarios but interconnected. I agree with you that you need 3 valves total. A shutoff valve to the water serving the water heater and a shutoff(Bypass) for the cold supply to the solar system and a shutoff(bypass)valve for the hot from the solar. Trying to get them to comply is the problem.
 
Re: Solar Water Heater installation

Trying to get them to comply? It looks like it's pretty simple.

They don't pass an inspection until they do.
 
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