[Ord. 569, 6/8/2009, § 13-7-201]
For purpose of this Part, the following definitions apply:
A water-bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel.
Systems which rely on the contained circulation of fluids
through an underground pipe circuit.
A system which circulates refrigerant in a closed underground
loop.
The creation of holes in the ground, deeper than they are
wide, in excess of 25 feet below the surface of the ground, using
drills, augers, shovels, picks, hydraulic means, etc.
A device (such as a radiator) used to transfer heat between
one fluid (i.e., water or refrigerant) to another fluid, or between
one fluid and the ground.
The water distribution system of a public water supply.
A geothermal heat pump system that withdraws water from a
well or surface water supply, passes it through a heat exchanger,
and discharges the water to a surface water body, storm or sanitary
sewer system, or recharge well.
A system for the provision of piped water for human consumption,
if such system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves
at least 25 individuals.
The working fluid in a vapor-compression heat pump.
A closed loop heat exchanger for horizontal installation,
made of offset coils of geothermal-rated polyethylene or polybutylene
pipe with heat-fused joints.
A lined or unlined coaxial well used as a heat exchanger.
Typically, water is withdrawn from the well bottom and returned to
the top of the water column. The well maybe used as a potable water
source, with proper protection.
[Ord. 569, 6/8/2009, § 13-7-202]
1.
Permitting.
A.
No person, partnership, corporation or other entity shall, within
the geographic boundary of the Home Rule Borough of Edinboro, Erie
County, Pennsylvania, install, construct, drill or excavate to facilitate
the construction or installation of ground source heat pump for use
as a heating and/or cooling system for any residential, commercial
or industrial structures without first obtaining a building permit.
B.
Building permit applicants shall demonstrate that specifications
for the excavation, installation and operation of the ground source
heat pump system conform to current standards of the International
Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA).
2.
Local Geological Conditions. In specific areas of the Home Rule Borough
of Edinboro where, as determined by the Borough of Edinboro Engineer,
local geological conditions, including but not limited to karst or
permafrost, do not meet the requirements for installation and/or efficient
operation of geothermal heat pump systems, the Borough Engineer may
prohibit the installation of one or more types of geothermal heat
pump systems.
3.
Interconnection to Municipal Water Supplies. No water source heat
pump shall be interconnected to the public water system so as to return
water to the distribution system of the public water supply, except
as allowed by permit.
[Ord. 569, 6/8/2009, § 13-7-203; as amended by
Ord. 585, 9/12/2011]
Shall not be permitted.
[Ord. 569, 6/8/2009, § 13-7-204; as amended by
Ord. 585, 9/12/2011]
1.
Pipes.
A.
All pipes associated with ground source heat pump systems shall conform
to specifications of the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association.
(1)
All pipes used in aqueous closed loop ground heat exchangers
shall be high density polyethylene, or polybutylene, meeting the requirements
of the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association Closed-Loop/Geothermal
Heat Pump Systems Design and Installation Standards. All in-ground
connections shall be heat-fused.
(2)
All pipe used in closed loop systems shall meet the requirements
imposed at the local jurisdictional level for potable water well pipe
or for in-ground hook-ups to the public water system.
2.
Fluids.
A.
Any fluids used in ground source heat pump systems shall conform
to standards set by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association.
B.
Fluids used in ground source heat pump systems shall include any
food grade additive that is FDA approved coolant.
C.
The use of methanol or other toxic substances that could endanger
our water supply are prohibited.
D.
Antifreezes shall be certified by their manufacturers (or the heat
pump manufacturers) as suitable for the intended use and FDA approved.
All installations must be identified with appropriate labels, and
material safety data sheets must be provided to the owner. Antifreezes
shall be corrosion-inhibited and biodegradable.
[Ord. 569, 6/8/2009, § 13-7-205]
1.
Pipes.
A.
All in-ground copper heat exchanger installations shall be ACR grade
or better, copper or equivalent.
B.
In those instances where direct expansion in-ground tubing is installed
at a depth greater than 25 feet below the surface of the ground, tubing
shall be grouted, or contractor shall demonstrate that the installation
provides equivalent protection to groundwater.
C.
Prior to backfilling, in-ground joints shall be pressure tested to
500 psi for a minimum of 15 minutes, with no pressure loss. Should
any buried portion fail, refrigeration shall be recaptured, and the
loop shall be repaired or abandoned.
D.
In soils with a pH level less than 5.0, all in-ground copper tubing
shall be catholically protected for a period not less than 50 years.
2.
Fluids. Except in those instances where the manufacturer demonstrates
that the product contains an appropriate mechanism to prevent compressor
lubricant from entering the ground loop, only nontoxic, nonhazardous
and noncarcinogenic refrigeration oil may be utilized for compressor
lubrication.
[Ord. 569, 6/8/2009, § 13-7-206]
1.
Site Disturbance.
A.
All ground source horizontal heat exchanger installations shall comply
fully with Home Rule Borough of Edinboro ordinance requirements for
site control and preventing soil runoff.
B.
For vertical heat exchanger installations, the Borough of Edinboro
Building Inspector or Engineer shall designate appropriate soil runoff
measures for the well drilling operations.
2.
Drilling of Holes.
A.
Persons contracted to drill holes associated with the installation
of ground source heat pumps need not be specially certified by the
jurisdiction.
B.
Any regulations of this jurisdiction regarding the drilling of holes
for the construction of potable water wells shall likewise apply to
the drilling of holes for the installation of ground source heat pump
systems in excess of 25 feet below the surface of the ground. This
includes requirements for a drilling report including a written geologic
log, accurate grouting records, and a plan for operations and for
well abandonment.
3.
Grouting.
A.
For all closed loop and DX systems, all materials and practices regarding
the grouting of pipes that extend more than 25 feet below the surface
of the ground shall conform to the guidelines of the International
Ground Source Heat Pump Association pertaining to closed loop systems.
B.
The Home Rule Borough of Edinboro Engineer shall have the authority
to approve alternatives which can be demonstrated to exceed the performance
of materials recommended by IGSHPA.
[Ord. 569, 6/8/2009, § 13-7-207]
Whenever a ground source heat pump system is permanently removed
from service, and the pipes are not removed from the ground, the outside
loop pipes shall be filled with materials meeting specifications for
grout.
[Ord. 569, 6/8/2009, § 13-7-208; as amended by
Ord. 585, 9/12/2011]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall construct, reconstruct,
install, use and/or maintain any geothermal ground source heat pump
in the Home Rule Borough of Edinboro without proper permits shall
be guilty of a summary offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall
be sentenced to a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in
default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues
or each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated
shall constitute a separate offense.
