Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (USHGC) is a model code developed by the
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) coordinates the development and adaptation of plumbing, mechanical, swimming pool and solar energy codes to meet the specific needs of individual jurisdictions both in the ...
(
IAPMO
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) coordinates the development and adaptation of plumbing, mechanical, swimming pool and solar energy codes to meet the specific needs of individual jurisdictions both in the ...
) to govern the installation and inspection of
solar energy,
hydronic
Hydronics () is the use of liquid water or gaseous water (steam) or a water solution (usually glycol with water) as heat-transfer medium in heating and cooling systems. The name differentiates such systems from oil and refrigerant systems.
H ...
heating/cooling systems, and
geothermal energy systems as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare.
The USHGC is developed using the
American National Standards Institute's consensus development procedures. This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on
solar energy,
hydronic
Hydronics () is the use of liquid water or gaseous water (steam) or a water solution (usually glycol with water) as heat-transfer medium in heating and cooling systems. The name differentiates such systems from oil and refrigerant systems.
H ...
heating/cooling systems, and
geothermal energy practices.
History
Recognizing the necessity for a solar energy code to be adopted by jurisdictions as a means of regulating such systems, IAPMO passed a resolution at its 1975 annual
business conference to form a technical committee for the development of such a document.
After several months of work, this committee, composed of individuals representing industry,
public utility
A public utility company (usually just utility) is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using that infrastructure). Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and r ...
companies, inspectors, plumbers, and engineers, completed the Uniform Solar Energy Code's (USEC) first edition and in September 1976 this document was adopted by IAPMO.
In December 2011, the Radiant Professionals Alliance joined IAPMO and soon after work began to incorporate hydronic heating/cooling provisions into the USEC to be released in 2015 as the Uniform Solar Energy and Hydronics Code (USEHC).
2018 Edition
Though
geothermal energy is not new in the 2018 edition, the title for the 2018 edition was revised to clarify that the code also pertains to
geothermal energy systems. The 2018 Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (USHGC) represents the most current approaches in the solar energy, hydronics and geothermal field.
Content
* Chapter 1 - Administration
* Chapter 2 - Definitions
* Chapter 3 - General Regulations
* Chapter 4 - Hydronics
* Chapter 5 - Solar Thermal Systems
* Chapter 6 - Thermal Storage
* Chapter 7 - Geothermal Energy Systems
* Chapter 8 - Duct Systems
* Chapter 9 - Solar Photovoltaic Systems
* Chapter 10 - Referenced Standards
* Appendix A - Engineered Solar Energy Systems
* Appendix B - Solar Photovoltaic System Installation Guidelines
* Appendix C - Supplemental Checklist for Solar Photovoltaic Systems
See also
*
IAPMO
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) coordinates the development and adaptation of plumbing, mechanical, swimming pool and solar energy codes to meet the specific needs of individual jurisdictions both in the ...
*
IAPMO Standards
IAPMO Standards are the plumbing and mechanical standards of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials ( IAPMO). For more than thirty years, IAPMO’s standards-developing efforts have primarily focused on plumbing produc ...
*
IAPMO R&T
IAPMO R&T was started in 1936 as a third-party listing agency specializing in plumbing and mechanical products. IAPMO R&T is accredited to certify products that meet the criteria of the Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Sol ...
*
Thermal energy storage
Thermal energy storage (TES) is achieved with widely different technologies. Depending on the specific technology, it allows excess thermal energy to be stored and used hours, days, months later, at scales ranging from the individual process, ...
*
Uniform Codes
Uniform Codes are codes of practice developed and maintained by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials ( IAPMO) using the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) accredited consensus development process working ...
*
Uniform Plumbing Code
Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials ( IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems a ...
*
Uniform Mechanical Code
The Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation, inspection and maintenance of HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) ...
*
Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code
Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code (USPSHTC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials ( IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspec ...
*
Building officials
Building officials of developed countries are generally the jurisdictional administrator of building and construction codes, engineering calculation supervision, permits, facilities management, and accepted construction procedures.
Qualification ...
*
Building inspection
A building inspection is an inspection performed by a building inspector, a person who is employed by either a city, township or county and is usually certified in one or more disciplines qualifying them to make professional judgment about whether ...
External links
Uniform Solar, Hydronics & Geothermal Code Website
References
1975 Uniform Solar Energy Code Resolution1976 Uniform Solar Energy Code Advertisement1976 IAPMO Conference Wrap1976 San Gabriel Valley Tribune ReprintFirst USEC Technical CommitteeRPA Membership Ratifies Move to IAPMOIAPMO Seeking Technical Committee Members
Safety codes
Plumbing