Solar Thermal Licensing, Permitting and Inspections Code AmendmentsMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Solar Thermal Licensing, Permitting and Inspections
DATE: December 27, 2010
Dubuque
kerd
All-America City
11111!
2007
Building Services Manager Rich Russell recommends the City Council amend the City
Ordinance to create a Solar Thermal licensing system and empower Solar Thermal
permits and inspections.
The Solar Thermal Licensing and Solar Thermal Permits and Inspections ordinances
were created after a local solar thermal contractor met with City staff to determine what
licenses and permits they would need to install solar thermal systems within the
corporate limits of Dubuque. The current regulations would require multiple licenses and
permits.
The adoption of the ordinances will allow for streamlined licensing and permitting
processes.
The adoption of theses ordinances would also contribute to achieving the Council top
priority of a "Green Community ".
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Rich Russell, Building Services Manager
Mic fi ------------
. Van Milligen
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
December 21, 2010
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Rich Russell, Building Services Manager
SUBJECT: Solar Thermal Licensing, Permitting and Inspections
Dubuque
All- America City
11111,
2007
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this memo is to recommend the amending of the City
Ordinance by adoption of two ordinances. The first creates a Solar Thermal licensing
system. The second empowers Solar Thermal permits and inspections.
BACKGROUND: The Solar Thermal Licensing and Solar Thermal Permits and
Inspections ordinances were created after a local solar thermal contractor met with City
staff to determine what licenses and permits they would need to install solar thermal
systems within the corporate limits of Dubuque. The current regulations would require
multiple licenses and permits.
DISCUSSION: The adoption of the ordinances will allow for streamlined licensing and
permitting processes.
The adoption of theses ordinances would also contribute to achieving the Council top
priority of a "Green Community ".
RECOMMENDATION: I recommend the Solar Thermal Licensing and Solar Thermal
Permits and Inspections ordinances be adopted. / have attached the ordinances for the
City Council's review.
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589 -4381
ORDINANCE NO. -11
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14 BUILDING AND
DEVELOPMENT BY ADDING CHAPTER 13 SOLAR THERMAL LICENSES WHICH
REQUIRES A LICENSE IN ORDER TO PERFORM WORK ON SOLAR THERMAL
SYSTEMS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Chapter 13 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances shall read as
follows:
14 -13 -1. Definition: Solar Thermal System means active mechanical equipment that
directly converts and then transfers or stores solar energy into usable forms of thermal
energy.
14 -13 -2. Licenses: No person shall install or alter or repair solar thermal systems
without a solar thermal license.
14 -13 -3. License Application: A Solar Thermal License application shall be submitted to
the City Manager or the City Manager's designee with an application fee as set by the
City Manager.
14 -13 -4. Application Contents: An application for a Solar Thermal License shall contain
the following information:
A. Name
B. Address
C. Business Name, if applicable
D. Proof of liability insurance
E. Proof of either:
a) A North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) solar
thermal certification or
b) Completion of the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) forty (40)
hour solar thermal course work and two (2) training installations and
received the Dubuque solar thermal certification or other course work and
training as approved by the city manager.
F. Any other information required by the City Manager or the City Manager's
designee.
14 -13 -5. Application approval: Upon finding that an applicant has submitted the required
information and meets the requirements, a Solar Thermal License will be issued.
14 -13 -6. License renewal. A Solar Thermal License shall be valid for one calendar
year. License holders may renew a license by applying for and paying the fee for
renewal as set by the City Manager.
14 -13 -7. Exemption: No license shall be required of a homeowner to install or alter a
solar thermal system for the homeowners personal residence provided the homeowner
has received certification for solar thermal system installation from NICC or completed
other course work and training as approved by the city manager or the city manager's
designee.
Attest:
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved and adopted the day of , 2011.
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589 -4381
ORDINANCE NO. -11
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14 BUILDING AND
DEVELOPMENT BY ADDING CHAPTER 14 SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS
REQUIRING PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS FOR WORK PERFORMED ON SOLAR
THERMAL SYSTEMS AND SETTING FORTH THE STANDARDS FOR SOLAR
THERMAL SYSTEMS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Chapter 14 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances shall read as
follows:
14 -14 -1. Definition: Solar Thermal System means equipment that directly converts and
then transfers or stores solar energy into usable forms of thermal energy.
14 -14 -2 Permit Required. A permit shall be obtained from the City Manager or the City
Manager's designee for the installation of or alternation to a Solar Thermal System.
Information shall be attached to an application for a permit as set by the City Manager
or the City Manager's designee.
14 -14 -3 Permit Application. A permit application shall be submitted to the City Manager
and must include:
A. Applicant Name
B. Applicant Address
C. Business name, if applicable
D. Solar Thermal License Number, if applicable
E. Project Address
F. A Plot Plan showing the proposed location of solar collector and any tree
and /or structure that presently casts a shadow within twenty feet (20') of the
proposed collector location
G. Detailed Drawings of all piping, pumps, blowers, wiring, storage vessels,
dampers, valves, insulation, location of the backflow prevention device, and
all other material that will be required to install the system
H. Any other information required by the City Manager or the City Manager's
designee
14 -14 -4 Inspections Required. Inspections of Solar Thermal Systems are required prior
to activation and shall be performed by the City Manager or the City Manager's
Designee.
14 -14 -5. Shading of Solar Collectors: No more than fifteen percent (15 %) of the area of
the solar path shading diagram shall be obstructed between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
throughout the year.
14 -14 -6. Liquid Systems
A. Piping and Penetration.
1. When two (2) or more collectors are installed in any one system, a
reverse flow piping configuration shall be used unless an alternate flow
configuration is recommended by the manufacturer.
2. No permanent piping shall connect the solar system with potable
water.
3. All piping shall be able to withstand a temperature of 350 degrees
Fahrenheit, preferably rigid or soft copper type "M" or thicker.
4. All solar loop building penetrations shall be made using weatherproof
devices which will allow for expansion and contraction. All penetrations
into the building shall be weatherproofed to prevent leaks, insects, and
drafts from entering the building.
5. All of the components of a closed loop solar collector system shall be
sized to provide adequate flow to the collectors.
6. The solar loop shall incorporate a check valve downstream of the heat
exchanger if collectors are mounted above the storage tank.
7. Automatic air vents shall be disconnected from the solar loop by a ball
valve.
8. Minimum design standard shall be the 2009 Uniform Solar Energy
Code as it relates to solar thermal installations.
B. Pipe Insulation.
1. All pipe insulation in the solar collection system shall be at least R -5 in
insulating value.
2. Exterior pipe insulation shall be resistant to ultraviolet and
environmental degradation and shall be covered by material providing
weather resistance, UV protection, and mechanical abuse protection.
Exterior insulation joints, seams, and connections shall be sealed to
prevent entry of moisture.
3. Solar supply loop shall be insulated with 350 degrees Fahrenheit rated
insulation approved for solar applications.
4. Heat traps or check valves shall be included on all supply and
discharge lines for the storage tank.
C. Storage Tanks: Storage tanks shall have a tempering valve adjustable to 120
degrees Fahrenheit downstream from the regular water heater and heat trap.
14 -14 -7. Monitoring: A temperature appropriate pressure gauge shall be installed in the
solar loop. The solar loop supply and return and the discharge line of the tempering
valve shall have thermometers.
14 -14 -8. Use of Wood in Solar Collection Systems: All wood components used in
collector mounting which are exposed to the weather shall be pressure treated wood,
meeting Interim Federal Specifications TT- W -571J -Rev. 1974, as amended or revised.
Wood used in collector frames or housing shall be protected against pyrolysis.
14 -14 -9. Heat Transfer Fluid: The heat transfer fluid used in the collectors shall be
isolated from the potable water supply through the use of an approved double wall heat
exchanger or two separate coils, one for solar fluid and one for DHW in unpressurized
tank.
14- 14 -10. Rating: The solar thermal panels and equipment shall have a SRCC rating of
OG 100 or OG 300.
Attest:
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved and adopted the day of , 2011.
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Roy D. Buol, Mayor