scope:

Preface

This is the second edition of the CSA C448 Series, Design and installation of earth energy systems. It supersedes the previous edition published in 2002.

The CSA C448 Series consists of three parts:

(a) C448.0, Design and installation of earth energy systems - Generic applications for all systems;

(b) C448.1, Design and installation of earth energy systems for commercial and institutional buildings; and

(c) C448.2, Design and installation of earth energy systems for residential and other small buildings.

C448.0 contains requirements applicable to any system within the scope of the C448 Series. C448.2 has alternative requirements for houses and small buildings. For systems within the scope of C448.2, either C448.1 or C448.2 may be followed. Underground thermal energy storage systems formerly, contained within previous editions of this Standard under C448.3, has been removed with UTS-specific information distributed among amended, distributed among, and included within C448.0 and C448.1, where appropriate.

CSA Group acknowledges the financial assistance provided by Natural Resources Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Energy, the Canadian Electricity Association, B.C. Hydro, Hydro Québec, Manitoba Hydro, and Fortis BC in the development of this Standard.

This Standard was prepared by the Subcommittee on Earth Energy Systems, under the jurisdiction of the Technical Committee on Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration and the Strategic Steering Committee on Performance, Energy Efficiency, and Renewables, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.

Notes:

(1) Use of the singular does not exclude the plural (and vice versa) when the sense allows.

(2) Although the intended primary application of this Standard is stated in its Scope, it is important to note that it remains the responsibility of the users of the Standard to judge its suitability for their particular purpose.

(3) This Standard was developed by consensus, which is defined by CSA Policy governing standardization - Code of good practice for standardization as "substantial agreement. Consensus implies much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity". It is consistent with this definition that a member may be included in the Technical Committee list and yet not be in full agreement with all clauses of this Standard.

(4) To submit a request for interpretation of this Standard, please send the following information to inquiries@csagroup.org and include "Request for interpretation" in the subject line:

(a) define the problem, making reference to the specific clause, and, where appropriate, include an illustrative sketch;

(b) provide an explanation of circumstances surrounding the actual field condition; and

(c) where possible, phrase the request in such a way that a specific "yes" or "no" answer will address the issue.

Committee interpretations are processed in accordance with the CSA Directives and guidelines governing standardization and are available on the Current Standards Activities page at standardsactivities.csa.ca.

(5) This Standard is subject to review five years from the date of publication. Suggestions for its improvement will be referred to the appropriate committee. To submit a proposal for change, please send the following information to inquiries@csagroup.org and include "Proposal for change" in the subject line:

(a) Standard designation (number);

(b) relevant clause, table, and/or figure number;

(c) wording of the proposed change; and

(d) rationale for the change.