UNIRAC SolarMount 224 User manual

Ballast Frame
Installation Manual 224
THE STANDARD IN PV MOUNTING STRUCTURES
UniRac welcomes input concerning the accuracy and user-friendliness of this publication. Please write to [email protected]. December 2006
© 2006 by UniRac, Inc. All rights reserved.
Thank you for purchasing a UniRac product. Please review this
manual completely before proceeding.
Ballast Frame installations are all custom configured. Use this
manual in conjuction with your Ballast Frame Specification
Sheet. That document will list specific components of your
system.
The illustrations in this manual may vary from your custom
installation in the following ways:
• Ballast bays. Standard ballast frames have three to eight
bays for placing ballast.
• Tilt angle. Drawings illustrate tilt legs. Some installations
may use L-feet only to achieve a minimal tilt.
• Rail type. Drawings illustrate standard rails. Light or HD
(heavy duty) rails may be specified in your installation.
The installer is solely responsible for:
• Complying with all applicable local or national building
codes, including any that may supercede this manual;
• Ensuring that UniRac and other products are appropriate
for the particular installation and the installation
environment;
• Ensuring that the roof, its rafters, connections, and
other structural support members can support the array
under building live load conditions (this total assembly is
hereafter referred to as the roof rafter assembly);
• Using only UniRac parts and installer-supplied parts
as specified by UniRac (substitution of parts, including
ballast, may void the warranty);
• Ensuring that lag bolts, if applicable, have adequate
pullout strength and shear capacities as installed;
• Maintaining the waterproof integrity of the roof,
including selection of appropriate flashing; and
• Ensuring safe installation of all electrical aspects of the PV
array.

Page
2
Installation Manual 224 SolarMount® Ballast Frame
Attach L-feet
The ballast frame has been pre-drilled for attachment of four
or six L-feet, using 3/8-inch hardware. If only 4- and 8-inch
L-feet are being used to establish a slight tilt angle, place the
4-inch feet on the side of the frame nearest the equator. Torque
flange nuts to 30 foot-pounds (40 newton-meters).
Wrenches and torque
Wrench Recommended
size torque, ft-lbs (N-m)
¼˝ hardware 7⁄16˝ 15 (20)
3⁄8˝ hardware 9⁄16˝ 30 (40)
North/south line
3/8˝ hardware
L-foot
Always lubricate
s/s hardware
Stainless steel nuts and bolts require
anti-seize lubrication during assembly.
Lubrication dramatically reduces
the likelihood of galling (cold welding) and
facilitates accurate torque readings. For details
see Installation Supplement 910.1, Lubrication
Requirements for Stainless Steel Hardware.
Position ballast frame
Prepare the site for the ballast frame, removing gravel or
debris so that the frame sits flat for maximum contact with the
roof surface. Place the ballast frame in its permanent position.
For tilt-up arrays, wherever practical, the short side should
follow a north-south line so that modules will tilt toward the
noon sun.

Page
3
SolarMount® Ballast Frame Installation Manual 224
Attach hinges and legs
Attach tilt legs and form hinges with
additional L-feet. (Some installations will
use only L-feet.) In installations where the
modules will be tilted, the low end of the
array will be on the side facing the equator.
Finger tighten hardware for the time being.
Place ballast
Select and distribute the ballast
blocks in accordance with your
Ballast Frame Specification Sheet.
To avoid crumbling and loss of
structural integrity over time, use
only high-density 4- by 8- by 16-inch
concrete blocks that meet ASTM C90
standards.
Strut nut 3/8” hardware
Always lubricate
s/s hardware

Page
4
10 year limited Product Warranty
UniRac, Inc., warrants to the original purchaser
(“Purchaser”) of product(s) that it manufactures
(“Product”) at the original installation site that
the Product shall be free from defects in material
and workmanship for a period of ten (10) years,
from the earlier of 1) the date the installation
of the Product is completed, or 2) 30 days after
the purchase of the Product by the original
Purchaser.This Warranty does not cover damage
to the Product that occurs during its shipment,
storage, or installation.
This Warranty shall be VOID if installation of
the Product is not performed in accordance
with UniRac’s written installation instructions,
or if the Product has been modified, repaired, or
reworked in a manner not previously authorized
by UniRac IN WRITING, or if the Product is
installed in an environment for which it was
not designed. UniRac shall not be liable for
consequential, contingent or incidental damages
arising out of the use of the Product by the
Purchaser under any circumstances.
If within the specified Warranty period the
Product shall be reasonably proven to be
defective, then UniRac shall repair or replace
the defective Product, or any part thereof,
in UniRac’s sole discretion. Such repair or
replacement shall completely satisfy and
discharge all of UniRac’s liability with respect to
this limited Warranty. Under no circumstances
shall UniRac be liable for special, indirect or
consequential damages arising out of or related
to use by Purchaser of the Product.
Manufacturers of related items, such as PV
modules and flashings, may provide written
warranties of their own. UniRac’s limited
Warranty covers only its Product, and not any
related items.
THE STANDARD IN PV MOUNTING STRUCTURES
1411 Broadway NE, Albuquerque NM 87102-1545 USA • 505.242.6411 • Fax [phone]
Installation Manual 224 SolarMount® Ballast Frame
Attach modules
Secure PV modules to rails using 1/4-inch
hardware. See the SolarMount installation manual
applicable to the type of rails and mounting clips
or clamps applicable to your installation, for
example, Installation Manual No. 226: SolarMount
Installation with Top Mounting Clamps and Light
Rail.
Torque hinge and leg hardware
Once 1/4-inch module mounting hardware has
been secured, torque the 3/8-inch hardware
securing the hinges and legs to 30 foot-pounds (40
newton-meters).
Install rails
Using 3/8-inch hardware, place rails parallel to the long end of the
frame. Initially finger tighten. Once rails are correctly positioned (ends
even), torque flange nuts to 30 ft-lb (40 newton-meters).
Always lubricate
s/s hardware