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        ![]() MIL-HDBK-1003/13A 
Fiberglass and plastic tanks are corrosion resistant and easily installed. 
They are available in many shapes and sizes.  Although many commonly 
fabricated tanks will begin to soften at temperatures above 140 deg.-160 deg. 
F, there are more expensive, specially fabricated tanks available that can 
withstand temperatures up to 250 deg. F.  The types of plastics needed to 
store large quantities of water at high temperatures can be more expensive 
than steel. 
When storage tanks are to be custom made, a calculation of heat loss against 
expected fuel cost inflation will almost always justify increasing insulation 
around the tank to R-19, 6 inches, compared with the usual 2 inches.  HUD 
Intermediate Minimum Property Standards (U.S. Dept HUD, 1977) requires that 
tank losses be limited to 10% in 24 hours.  Usually R-19 insulation will 
satisfy this requirement.  It is a good practice to insulate tank supports 
from the ground if possible. 
Costs of storage tanks vary considerably depending on the quality of 
construction and the distributor.  Table 2-7 summarizes advantages and 
disadvantages and Table 2-8 gives approximate comparative costs for tanks of 
various materials.  All storage tanks for liquids should be located so that 
if they leak, damage to the building will be prevented.  The cost of housing 
the tank or burying it must be included in the total cost of the solar 
heating system.  Buried tanks must be protected from ground water, and 
buoyant forces resisted.  Underground tanks are not preferred, if other 
options are available.  Tanks must be reasonably accessible for repairs.  In 
very mild or warm climates, outdoor location may be feasible.  Tank 
connections should comply with local codes with regards to backflow 
preventers, safety relief valves, etc. (see Section 2.9.3). 
2.3 Domestic hot water systems (DHW).  Domestic hot water systems (DHW) 
(without space heating) may use lined, insulated, pressurized tanks similar 
to the conventional water heater.  Appropriate temperature and pressure 
relief valves must be used.  Since it is possible for solar collectors to 
reach very hot temperatures, a tempering or mixing valve should be used.  A 
typical two-tank installation with proper valves and connections would be as 
shown in Figure 2-11 (Cole et al., 1979). 
To size the collectors and storage tank it is necessary to estimate or 
measure the hot water consumption of the facility or building.  For typical 
family residences, 20 gal/day/person of hot water is normally consumed.  If 
it is estimated the hot water consumption is larger than average, use 30 
gal/day/person.  So, 80 to 120 gal/day should serve a typical four-person 
family.  For estimates of other Navy facilities refer to DM-3 series, 
Plumbing Systems.  Table 2-9 (Werden and Spielvogel, 1969) gives water 
consumption data for different types of conventional facilities and may be 
used to supplement the DM-3 data. 
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