UMC Chapter 17 to Publish as Standalone Document for Geothermal Energy Systems, Ambient Temperature Loops

IAPMO and the Pace Energy and Climate Center at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University have agreed to jointly publish Chapter 17 of the Uniform Mechanical Code as a standalone document (IAPMO/UMC/Chapter 17-2024) to address the needs for enforceable safety provisions for geothermal district ambient temperature loop systems. Pace advised IAPMO on the development of this document.

A district ambient temperature loop is an endless closed-loop system comprised of centralized pumping for the circulation of the contained fluid between multiple heat exchange devices installed on the loop. The endless loop may run outside of conditioned spaces to serve multiple structures and the heat exchange devices installed within.

Parts I through V of the document apply to geothermal energy systems and district ambient temperature loop systems that circulate ground-ambient-temperature water to be used in end-use buildings as thermal source or sink via water source heat pump or reversing chillers. This includes systems utilizing multiple hybrid systems. It addresses the general requirements such as permitting, operating and metering; and design requirements such as thermal resources, performance and diversity factors.

A copy of IAPMO/UMC/Chapter 17-2024 may be purchased here.

A read-only version may be viewed here.