1 Scope

1.1 These safety requirements cover factory built solar collector modules for use in active solar energy systems, wherein solar energy is converted into heat energy and transferred to a heat transfer fluid such as air, water, or organic or inorganic fluids circulated through the collector. The requirements also apply to a separate solar collector module intended for use in a thermal syphon system, such as for domestic water heating.

1.2 These requirements cover solar collector modules to be installed in such locations as:

a)    A roof, on a roof or above a roof;

b)    A structural sidewall, or on a structural sidewall;

c)    Freestanding (i.e., not attached to a building).

1.3 These requirements also cover those electrical, mechanical or hydraulic features provided by the manufacturer as an integral part of the collector module, including tracking mechanisms, and such components as temperature controls, heat transfer fluid manifolds, and connectors for interconnecting individual collectors into a collector array when packaged with the collector module.

1.4 These requirements do not cover components or subsystems which are used with solar collectors in solar energy utilization systems, except as specified in 1.1 and 1.3.

1.5 These requirements are intended to include provisions for the installation of solar collectors in accordance with the following National Fire Protection Association Installation Codes and Standards, as applicable:

a)    National Electrical Code, NFPA No. 70-1999.

b)    Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, NFPA No. 90A-1996.

c)    Standard for the Installation of Warm Air Heating and Air Conditioning Systems, NFPA No. 90B-1996.