Uniform Solar Energy Code Named an American National Standard
(11/12/2009)
Posted by: Chris Gaerig, Online Editor
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has formally bestowed the designation of American National Standard upon the 2009 Uniform Solar Energy Code (USEC). Developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), the USEC is the only model code governing the installation, inspection, and maintenance of solar energy systems and their component products to be designated as such.
The USEC joins the 2009 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), which each earned the designation in 2003 and 2006, as well.
The realized advantages of a Uniform Solar Energy Code, acceptable in various jurisdictions as a means of promoting public health, safety, and welfare, prompted IAPMO in 1975 to develop a basic solar energy document. After months of concerted endeavor, a committee composed of representatives from industry and public utility companies, inspectors, plumbers and engineers successfully completed the first edition of the USEC, which was officially adopted by IAPMO in September 1976.
Key provisions of the 2009 USEC include:
Comprehensively covers solar thermal and photovoltaic systems
Allows the installation of single wall heat exchangers
Requires access to solar collector and its components for maintenance, repair
Provides protection requirements for freezing temperatures, water hammer, rodents, corrosion, ultraviolet radiation, decay, termites
