Installation Guide
Page
16
Unirac Code-Compliant Installation Manual
SunFrame
R
1411 Broadway Boulevard NE
Albuquerque NM 87102-1545 USA
Sample layout, illustrated in Figure 6
Assumptions: 12 modules (60˝ x 36˝), arranged in 4 rows
of 3 modules
4 rows will need 5 shared rails
Array width = 180˝ (60˝ module width x 3 columns)
Array length = 144˝ (36˝ module width x 4 rows)
+ 3˝ (1½˝ end rail width x 2 rails)
+ 2 ¼˝ (¾˝ between-module rail width
x 3 rails)
= 149¼˝
Safe, efficient SunFrame installation involves three principal tasks:
A. Laying out the installation area and planning for material conservation.
B. Installing footings and rails, beginning with the lowest row 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 structural members. Never attach them to the decking alone, which leaves both the ar-
ray and roof susceptible to severe damage.
• A thermal break is required every 40 feet of continuously connected rail. See Unirac Splices and Expansion Joints
Installation Manual for details.
• There is no UGC (Unirac Grounding Clip) available for SunFrame.
Figure 6. Installation area layout. Note: Module length is not neces-
sarily 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.
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 lower
edge of the roof), and must be mounted within 10 degrees of
horizontal.
Leave adequate room to move safely around the array during
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 of
your array area following Figure 6.
Installing the array: