Criterion 6.1.2.2 Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation

Criterion text:
Ultraviolet radiation shall not significantly alter the performance of any component or subcomponent of the system.

Comments:
Components have been selected by the manufacturer and then approved by SRCC to ensure that the components are able to withstand ultraviolet radiation degradation.

The installer must use only those components provided by the manufacturer during the installation of the SRCC approved system.

The components provided in the manufacturer's component package could include valves such as the freeze prevention (Figure 1) and the combination air vent-vacuum breaker (Figure 2). These valves have been evaluated by SRCC to ensure that they can indeed withstand long term ultraviolet ray degradation. The chemical composition of these valves incorporate compounds that resist degradation by ultraviolet rays.

Figure 1

Figure 2

There are tasks that have to be carried out by the installer that can not be verified during the initial system review process. For example, even thought the manufacturer specified the use of rubber pipe insulation for exterior piping, the installer must make sure that he or she uses this specified materials and that the insulation is protected from ultraviolet ray degradation with the use of the manufacturer's recommended coating. (See Figure 3)

Figure 3

Figure 4 indicates what happens to insulation that is not protected from ultraviolet ray degradation. Note the cracks - they will rapidly increase until gaps appear in the insulation. In addition, this installer should have mitered and sealed the corners where the insulation changes from a horizontal to vertical orientation. The current situation will, in time, allow water seepage between the insulation and the piping.

Figure 4

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