Criterion 6.5.15 Pitch or Angle of Piping Installation

Criterion text:
Piping should be sloped toward drain ports with a drainage slope of no less than 2 cm vertical drop for each meter of horizontal length (1/4 inch per foot).

Comments:
Many systems require drainage of the collector and collector loop piping for freeze prevention. For those system, it is critical that the installer follow the requirements of this criterion.

The installer should also be familiar with the manufacturer's installation manual and follow all guidelines provided in the manual.

Figure 1 shows a system that has proper slope for both the collectors and the piping. Both the collectors and piping have been sloped to a minimum of 1/4 inch per foot.

Figure 1

The following photographs indicate that there will be problems in draining the collectors and piping.

In Figure 2, the collector and piping can not be drained manually.

Figure 2

Sections of the collector in Figure 3 can not be drained.

Figure 3

Since the piping in Figure 4 is sloped upwards it may be quite difficult to drain the collector loop piping and collector itself.

Figure 4

The U bend in Figure 5 restricts piping drainage.

Figure 5