Page
8
Installation Manual 802
SunFrame™ Code-Compliant Planning and Assembly
Installing the array
Safe, effi cient SunFrame installation involves three principal
tasks:
A. Laying out the installation area and planning for mate-
rial conservation.
B. Installing footings and rails, beginning with the
lowest
rail and moving up the roof.
C. Placing modules and cap strips, beginning with the
highest
row and moving down the roof.
The following illustrated steps describe the procedure in detail.
Before beginning, please note these important considerations.
Footings must be lagged into rafters. Never attach them to the
decking alone, which leaves both the array and roof susceptible
to severe damage.
For array widths or lengths greater than 32 feet, contact Uni-
Rac concerning thermal expansion issues.
For roof slopes greater than 45 degress, consult UniRac.
Sample layout, illustrated in Figure 4
Assumptions: 12 modules (60˝ x 36˝), arranged in 3 rows of 4 modules
Array width
= 144˝ (36˝ module width x 4 modules per row) =
144
˝
Array length =
180˝ (60˝ module length x 3 rows)
+ 3˝ (1-1/2˝ end rail width x 2 rails)
+ 1-1/2˝ (3/4˝ between-module rail width x 2 rails)
= 184-1/2
˝
Figure 4. Installation area layout.
Note: Module length is not
necessarily measured from the edges of the frame. Some frames
have lips. Others are assembled with pan-head screws. All such
features must be included in module length.
Array width
(module width times modules per row)
Rails
1-1/2
˝
at each end of array
Module
width
3/4
˝
space between module rows
Module
length (see
caption)
3/4
˝
1-1/2
˝
Array
length
Roof
peak
1. Laying out the installation area
Always install SunFrame rails perpendicular to rafters.
(These instructions assume typical rafters that run from the
gutter to the peak of the roof. If this is not the case, contact
UniRac.) Rails are typically mounted horizontally (parallel
to the edge of the roof), and
must
be mounted within 10
degrees of horizontal.
Leave adequate room to move safely around the array dur-
ing installation. During module installation, you will need
to slide one module in each row about a foot beyond the end
of the rails on one side. Using the number of rows and the
number of modules per row in your installation, determine
the size or your array area following Figure 4.
2. Installing the lowest row of L-feet and rail
Install L-feet directly onto low profi le roofi ng material such
as asphalt shingles or sheet metal. (For high profi le roofs,
such as tile or shake, use optional standoffs with fl ashing to
raise L-feet. L-feet must be fl ush with or above the highest
point of the roof surface.)
L-feet can be placed with the double-slotted side against the
roof surface (illustrations in this manual show this arrange-
ment) or with the single-slotted side against the roof (which
increases air circulation beneath modules). Module-to-roof
dimensions are listed on page 12 for both arrangements.
Install the fi rst row of L-feet at the lower edge of the instal-
lation area (Fig. 5). Ensure feet are aligned by using a chalk
line. (A SunFrame rail can also be used as a straight edge.)
Figure 5. Placement of fi rst L-foot row.
Rafters
Lag
screw
L feet
2-3/4
˝
Lower edge of installation area
Always lag into slot
nearest the bend in
the L foot
