Section 371.52. Operation and maintenance manual for active solar energy systems.

  The operation and maintenance manual for active solar energy systems shall include, but is not limited to, the following requirements:

(1)   Operating instructions. Operating instructions shall contain the following:

(a) Operating instructions for normal solar energy system operations;

(b) Operating instructions for leaving the solar energy system inactive for extended periods of time, such as vacations;

(c) Operating instructions for disengaging the solar energy system and operating and maintaining the auxiliary energy system, if present, independently of the solar energy system;

(d) A valving diagram clearly showing the position that each valve should be in, for operation of the solar energy system;

(e) A detailed explanation of the freeze protection and no-flow protection features of the solar energy system including what the owner needs to do, if anything, in the event a power failure occurs simultaneously with freezing or no-flow conditions. If the solar energy system does not provide freeze or no-flow protection or both, the operation and maintenance manual shall state so in a clear and concise manner;

(f) The conditions at which the solar energy system may be damaged by freezing or no-flow conditions or both;

(g) Operating instructions for start-up procedures; and

(h) Operating instructions for diagnostic procedures. Operating instructions for diagnostic procedures shall state on every page warnings if the diagnostic procedure performed by the owner voids any warranty.

(2)   Maintenance instructions. Routine maintenance, performed by the owner, may not void the system designer's or installer's warranty unless certain routine maintenance, performed by the owner, is prohibited by the system designer or installer. If routine maintenance, performed by the owner, is prohibited, it shall be stated accordingly in a contrasting color next to the prohibited routine maintenance. Routine maintenance instructions shall include the following:

(a) The time intervals for routine maintenance. The operation and maintenance manual shall provide a space for logging maintenance done on the solar energy system by the owner, installer or system designer;

(b) Instructions for changing the heat transfer fluid, if a heat transfer fluid is present. A detailed description of the heat transfer fluid used in the system shall be provided. The description shall include the following:

1. The exact name of the heat transfer fluid;

2. Whether the heat transfer fluid is toxic or non-toxic;

3. If the heat transfer fluid is toxic, a cautionary statement regarding the poisonous characteristics of the heat transfer fluid;

4. First aid instructions in case the heat transfer fluid is ingested, splashed on skin or splashed in eyes;

5. The system designer's or installer's recommended heat transfer fluid change interval;

6. A caution that the heat transfer fluid may be hot;

7. A warning against the use of toxic heat transfer fluids in systems not designed and installed for the use of toxic heat transfer fluids; and

8. A proper disposal method for the heat transfer fluid.

(c) Cleaning instructions, if any, for the following components that are present:

1. Collector plate and cover;

2. Heat exchanger; and

3. Collector absorber.

(d) Instructions for any other required routine maintenance.

(3)   Component specifications and detailed drawings. Component specifications and detailed drawings for solar energy systems shall contain the following:

(a) A detailed drawing of the entire solar energy system and each major component;

(b) A list of the solar energy system's specifications including all of the following that are applicable:

1. The collector manufacturer and model number;

2. Gross collector area;

3. Collector performance test results or system performance rating or both;

4. The name of the organization doing the performance rating;

5. Fluid capacity of the collectors and thermal storage;

6. Full weights of the collectors and thermal storage;

7. Temperature and pressure ratings of the thermal storage, collectors and pump;

8. The size of all piping and ducts; and

9. The type of thermal storage.

History: Cr. Register, June, 1986, No. 366 , eff. 7-1-86.