HPF Standards
The Heat Pump Federation recognises that the ground source industry requires installation standards in order to define and maintain a high level of installation quality, protect the environment and maintain the reputation of the industry.
The HPF Standards have been drawn up by the HPF to help designers and installers of ground source systems, architects and engineers specifying ground source systems. It will help contractors and sub-contractors employing specialist companies to install ground source systems that comply with the Standards.
The Standards should also prove to be useful for general reference.
The HPF Standards provide concise information for the materials and general specification of installations. They are not installation or training manuals. The Standards must be referred to in conjunction with recognised design qualifications and training programmes. The Standards are designed to enable reference to minimum materials specification, techniques and qualification requirements and ensure that installations comply with the Standards and to help contractors to employ companies that comply with the Standards.
Shallow Ground Source Standard
The Shallow Ground Source Standard covers horizontal ground heat exchange standards: Design, Installation & Materials Standards for thermal pile ground heat exchangers under the following headings:
- Government and regulatory agency requirements
- Design & installation - personnel & training requirements
- Design methods and compliance
- Soil thermal conductivity testing
- Ground heat exchanger pipe materials & jointing
- Groundworks
- Pipe placement & backfilling
- Flush, purge & pressure test of ground heat exchanger
- Pumps, manifolds & pressurisation
- Thermal transfer fluids
- Design drawings and records
- Submittals & alterations to Standards
Vertical Borehole Standard
The Vertical Borehole Standard covers Closed Loop Vertical Borehole: Design, Installation & Materials Standards under the following headings:
- Government and regulatory agency requirements
- Design and installation - training requirements
- Design methods and compliance
- Thermal response testing of the ground
- Ground heat exchange materials and sizing
- Pipes, joints, methods and materials
- Grouts
- Testing of ground heat exchange loops
- Thermal transfer fluids
- Design drawings and records
Thermal Pile Standard
The Thermal Pile Standard covers Thermal Pile Standards: Design, Installation & Materials Standards for thermal pile ground heat exchangers under the following headings:
- Government and regulatory agency requirements
- Contractual responsibilities
- Design and Installation - training requirements
- Design methods and compliance
- Thermal response testing
- Thermal pile concrete
- Loop installation, protection, trimming & headering
- Flush, purge & pressure test of ground heat exchanger
- Indoor piping & valve vaults
- Thermal transfer fluid
- Design drawings and records
- Monitoring and checking performance
MIS 3005
The Vertical Borehole Standard is now referenced as an authority by the MCS Microgeneration Installation Standard for heat pumps, version 3.1a, which was published in March 2012: MIS 3005 Heat Pump Systems.
This is supplemented by the MIS 3005 Ground Loop Sizing Tables and the MIS 3005 Heat Emitter Guide.
Environment Agency's GSHC Good Practice Guide
The HPF Vertical Borehole Standard is also referenced as an authority by the Environment Agency's Environmental Agency ground source heating and cooling good practice guide.
Installation of Ground Source Heat Pumps
To get the full benefit of a GSHP installation you will need to employ someone with design and installation experience. A ground source heat pump may not perform well unless it is incorporated in a good design by someone who understands the needs of the building, the use to which the building is being put and the local geology.
To ensure a "soft landing" you should ensure that a ground source system is well understood and well maintained and this may include fine tuning the controls in the first years of operation.
For more information on installation of ground source heating from an experienced source please contact one of our members.