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SPS 371.07(1) (1)Application for approval. An application for the seal of quality for a solar energy system or component shall be submitted to the department. Upon receipt of a fee and a written request, the department may issue an approval number for the solar energy system or component. The department shall review and make a determination on an application for approval within 30 business days of receipt of all forms, fees, plans and documents required to complete the review.
SPS 371.07 Note Note: See ch. SPS 302 for fees relating to material approval.
SPS 371.07(2) (2)Issuance of approval. An approval number shall be issued if the department determines that the solar energy system or component meets or exceeds the requirements of this chapter.
SPS 371.07(3) (3)Required data. Sufficient data, tests and other evidence to prove that the solar energy system or component meets or exceeds the standards established in this chapter shall be submitted.
SPS 371.07(4) (4)Revocation of approval. The department may revoke any approval issued under this section for any false statements or misrepresentation of facts on which the approval was based.
SPS 371.07(5) (5)Misrepresentation, misuse or duplication. Pursuant to s. 101.175 (6), Stats., misrepresentation, misuse or duplication of the department seal of quality issued under this section shall be deemed deceptive advertising under s. 100.18 (9m), Stats.
SPS 371.07(6) (6)False endorsement. A person may not advertise that the seal of quality issued by the department is an endorsement of the product by the department or the state of Wisconsin.
SPS 371.07 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86.
subch. III of ch. SPS 371 Subchapter III — Definitions
SPS 371.10 SPS 371.10Definitions. In this chapter, the following definitions shall apply.
SPS 371.10(1) (1) “Absorber" means that part of a solar collector whose primary function is to absorb radiant energy and transfer it to a fluid. In photovoltaic solar energy systems, the function is to generate electrical energy.
SPS 371.10(2) (2) “Active solar energy system" means any mechanical system which collects solar radiation in the form of thermal energy and uses a heat transfer fluid to transport the thermal energy to meet load requirements or to thermal storage.
SPS 371.10(3) (3) “Air system" means an active solar energy system that uses air as the heat transfer fluid.
SPS 371.10(4) (4) “Approved" means acceptable to the department.
SPS 371.10(5) (5) “Auxiliary energy system" means equipment using non-solar energy sources to supplement or backup the output provided by a solar energy system.
SPS 371.10(6) (6) “Building" means a structure for support, shelter or enclosure of persons or property, other than a one- or 2-family dwelling.
SPS 371.10(7) (7) “Closed loop system" means an active solar energy system in which a closed piping system, containing a fixed charge of heat transfer fluid, transfers heat from collectors to storage or use.
SPS 371.10(8) (8) “Collector" means a device designed to absorb incident solar radiation and to transfer the energy to a fluid passing through it.
SPS 371.10(9) (9) “Collector cover" means the material covering the aperture to provide thermal and environmental protection.
SPS 371.10(10) (10) “Component" means a distinct device or assembly that forms a functional part of a solar energy system including, but not limited to, collectors, thermal storage, heat exchangers, controls, pumps, fans, dampers and valves. Unless otherwise specified, such as a building component, a component shall have the above definition.
SPS 371.10(11) (11) “Department" means the department of safety and professional services.
SPS 371.10(12) (12) “Design pressure" means the maximum allowable continuous or intermittent pressure for which a specific part of a solar energy system is designed to operate safely and reliably.
SPS 371.10(13) (13) “Design temperature" means the maximum allowable continuous or intermittent temperature for which a specific part of a solar energy system is designed to operate safely and reliably.
SPS 371.10(14) (14) “Drainback system" means a closed loop system which allows gravity draining of the heat transfer fluid into lower portions of the solar loop under prescribed circumstances.
SPS 371.10(15) (15) “Draindown system" means an active solar energy system in which the fluid in the solar collector is drained from the solar energy system under prescribed circumstances.
SPS 371.10(16) (16) “Dwelling" means any building which contains one or 2 dwelling units.
SPS 371.10(17) (17) “Flammable liquid" means a liquid having a flash point below 100ºF and having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 psia at 100ºF.
SPS 371.10(18) (18) “Fluid" means a liquid or gas.
SPS 371.10(19) (19) “Heat exchanger" means a device designed to transfer heat between two physically separated fluids.
SPS 371.10(20) (20) “Heat transfer fluid" means the medium used to transfer energy from the solar collectors to the thermal storage or load.
SPS 371.10(21) (21) “Heated space" means any space maintained at a temperature of at least 50ºF.
SPS 371.10(22) (22) “Hot water" means water heated for domestic or industrial use.
SPS 371.10(23) (23) “Liquid system" means an active solar energy system that uses liquid as the heat transfer fluid.
SPS 371.10(24) (24) “Maximum operating pressure" means the maximum pressure experienced in a system, under any normal operating conditions including no-flow.
SPS 371.10(25) (25) “Maximum operating temperature" means the maximum temperature experienced in a system, under any normal operating conditions including no-flow.
SPS 371.10(26) (26) “No-flow condition" means the condition that results when the heat transfer fluid does not flow through the collector array due to normal shut-down or malfunction.
SPS 371.10(27) (27) “Open loop system" means an active solar energy system in which water for domestic or industrial use is directly heated in collectors.
SPS 371.10(28) (28) “Outgassing" means the emission of gases by component materials usually during exposure to elevated temperatures or reduced pressures.
SPS 371.10(29) (29) “Owner" means any person having a legal or equitable interest in the solar energy system.
SPS 371.10(30) (30) “Photovoltaic" means a solar energy system that converts radiant solar energy directly into electrical energy.
SPS 371.10(31) (31) “Potable water" means water which is:
SPS 371.10(31)(a) (a) Safe for drinking, personal or culinary use; and
SPS 371.10(31)(b) (b) Free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming in its bacteriological and chemical quality to the requirements specified in ch. NR 809.
SPS 371.10(32) (32) “Primary solar duct system" means the duct system between the collectors and thermal storage and the ducts making connection to the space distribution system.
SPS 371.10(33) (33) “Seal of quality" means a written approval by the department documenting certification and compliance with specific quality standards.
SPS 371.10(34) (34) “Solar energy system" means equipment which directly converts and then transfers or stores solar energy into usable forms of thermal or electrical energy.
SPS 371.10(35) (35) “System designer" means a person who offers for sale a solar energy system as a complete package, the components of which may be produced by different manufacturers.
SPS 371.10(36) (36) “Thermal resistance (R)" means a measure of the ability to retard the flow of heat.
SPS 371.10 Note Note: The R-value is the reciprocal of the heat transfer coefficient, expressed by U (R = 1/U). The higher the R-value of a material, the more difficult is it for heat to flow through the material.
SPS 371.10(37) (37) “Thermal storage" means a container and its contents used for storing thermal energy.
SPS 371.10(38) (38) “Tilt angle" means the angle above horizontal of a plane surface.
SPS 371.10(39) (39) “Toxic fluids" means fluids which are poisonous or irritating in nature or composition.
SPS 371.10 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86; correction in (31) (b) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, August, 1995, No. 476; correction in (11) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.
subch. IV of ch. SPS 371 Subchapter IV — Materials and Workmanship
SPS 371.20 SPS 371.20Purpose. Pursuant to s. 101.175 (4) (c), Stats., this subchapter establishes quality standards for materials and workmanship for solar energy systems and components. Sections SPS 371.21 to 371.26 shall apply to active solar energy systems and components. Section SPS 371.30 shall apply to photovoltaic solar energy systems and components.
SPS 371.20 Note Note: The requirements of this subchapter are recommended standards. See s. SPS 371.03.
SPS 371.20 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.
SPS 371.21 SPS 371.21General installation requirements.
SPS 371.21(1)(1)Access, location and clearances.
SPS 371.21(1)(a)(a) Access. Components shall be accessible for required routine maintenance without trespassing on adjoining property or disassembling any major portion of the solar energy system, building or dwelling.
SPS 371.21(1)(b) (b) Location.
SPS 371.21(1)(b)1.1. Components within 10 feet horizontally of a chimney or vent shall be at least 2 feet below the top of the chimney or vent.
SPS 371.21(1)(b)2. 2. The location of components may not interfere with the operation of required doors, windows or other building components.
SPS 371.21 Note Note: Components may be subject to local zoning requirements.
SPS 371.21(1)(c) (c) Clearances.
SPS 371.21(1)(c)1.1. Combustible materials may not be exposed to components having maximum operating temperatures that can cause ignition. Clearances to combustible materials specified in the component listing or by the component manufacturer shall be maintained.
SPS 371.21(1)(c)2. 2. Clearance between combustible materials and unlisted components shall be maintained in accordance with Table 371.21-A.
Table 371.21-A
Clearance Between Combustible Materials and
Unlisted Components - See PDF for table PDF
1If approved insulation protects the component, the required clearance may be reduced by 50%.
SPS 371.21(2) (2)Material tests and standards. The installation of, as well as all materials used in the construction of, solar energy systems shall meet the applicable requirements specified in chs. SPS 320 to 325, 361 to 366, and 381 to 387 and this chapter. Where different chapters specify different requirements, the most restrictive material test and installation standard shall apply.
SPS 371.21(3) (3)Insulation.
SPS 371.21(3)(a)(a) General. Insulation of piping, ducts and thermal storage containers shall be of a type satisfactory for its intended purpose and installed in accordance with recognized standards and practices.
SPS 371.21(3)(a)1. 1. `Flame spread rating.' The flame spread rating for all insulation materials may not exceed the following values:
  Plastic foam: 75
  Other insulation materials: 150
SPS 371.21(3)(a)2. 2. `Compressive loads.' Insulation shall be protected against compressive loads from pipe and duct supports and storage tanks.
SPS 371.21(3)(a)3. 3. `Exterior insulation.' Exterior insulation shall be capable of withstanding moisture, ultraviolet radiation, and environmental exposure.
SPS 371.21(3)(b) (b) Piping. Pipes of nominal size of one and one-half inch or larger shall be insulated to a thermal resistance value of R-4 or greater. All other piping in the solar energy system shall be insulated to a thermal resistance value of R-3 or greater. A vapor barrier, if installed, shall be located on the warm side of the insulation.
SPS 371.21(3)(c) (c) Ducts. Ductwork located in unheated spaces shall be insulated to a thermal resistance value of R-11 or greater, where space permits. Ductwork in heated spaces shall be insulated to a thermal resistance value of R-3 or greater. A vapor barrier, if installed, shall be located on the warm side of the insulation.
SPS 371.21(3)(d) (d) Thermal storage.
SPS 371.21(3)(d)1.1. `Thermal storage - liquid systems.' Thermal storage for liquid systems located in unheated spaces shall be insulated to an overall thermal resistance value of R-16 or greater. Thermal storage for liquid systems installed in heated spaces shall be insulated to an overall thermal resistance value of R-11 or greater.
SPS 371.21(3)(d)2. 2. `Thermal storage - air systems.' Thermal storage for air systems located in unheated spaces shall be insulated to an overall thermal resistance value of R-38 or greater. Thermal storage for air systems installed in heated spaces shall be insulated to an overall thermal resistance value of R-11 or greater.
SPS 371.21(4) (4)Protection.
SPS 371.21(4)(a)(a) Protection against vermin. All penetrations of the building or dwelling by components shall be properly sealed with noncombustible material to prevent the entrance of vermin.
SPS 371.21(4)(b) (b) Protection against vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Components exposed to vehicular or pedestrian traffic shall be protected against impact damage.
SPS 371.21(4)(c) (c) Protection against water penetration. All penetrations by components into a building or dwelling from the outside shall be properly sealed and waterproofed with approved materials to prevent leaks, insects and drafts from entering the building or dwelling. All penetrations shall be made using weatherproof devices which will allow for expansions and contractions.
SPS 371.21(4)(d) (d) Protection against decay and termites. Wood used in the construction of the collector or mounting, and exposed to outdoor conditions shall be pressure-treated with preservative or shall be a naturally durable, decay resistant species of lumber and shall be protected against termites.
SPS 371.21(4)(e) (e) Protection from heated components. Components which are maintained at temperatures above 170° F shall be protected from human contact. The protections may be in the form of insulation, metal or plastic guards.
SPS 371.21(5) (5)Smoke detectors. All dwellings that contain air systems with wood-frame collectors shall be provided with smoke detectors as specified in s. SPS 321.09.
SPS 371.21(6) (6)Fire protection. The design and installation of the solar energy system and components shall provide a level of fire safety consistent with chs. SPS 320 to 325 for one- and 2-family dwellings, or chs. SPS 361 to 366 for commercial buildings.
SPS 371.21(6)(a) (a) Vents, pipes and ducts.
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Published under s. 35.93, Stats. Updated on the first day of each month. Entire code is always current. The Register date on each page is the date the chapter was last published.