Zomeworks-Baer Double Play Shelter Tune Up Requirements and Recommendations

West Solar Absorber Leak

The west solar absorber appears to have a leak on the bottom back side. It needs to be fixed. The absorber panel will need to be removed. Plumbing access is from the inside. The interior wall panel will have to be removed for access. The absorber can be isolated from the system by turning off all supply and return valves from the overhead bladders. The Pex plumbing will need to be cut for panel removal. The leak is likely at a male barb fitting soldered to the absorber. It should be replaced or repaired with refrigeration grade silver solder. Be careful to avoid toasting the front side selective surface plating. A damp cloth will help keep the front surface cool.

The panels are made of stainless steel sheets with a dimpled regular pattern. They are seam and spot welded together in an offset configuration to provide a free flowing water way that wets the entire surface for maximum efficiency. The panels are freeze tolerant. No anti-freeze is needed. The panels are an envelope and pooch about 9% when frozen. They are under low pressure so they don’t gulp and permanently deform with each freeze as a pipe does. Replace the plumbing with 1/2” Uponor type “A” pipe and expansion collars. Potable quality water is required for filling.

Ullage System Improvements

The ullage drain plug on the roof could be replaced with a valve and extended down for convenient access. The pipe should be stabilized and attached to the building. Unauthorized tampering must be avoided. The roof ullage header system is to keep all bladders full to the same level. The center riser pipe and check valve on each roof panel is there to bleed off any trapped air when the bladders are full. Dry spots will compromise cooling. The roof panels have a corner to corner cross-brake to make a high spot.

Fill Fitting Addition

There is no dedicated fill fitting. The south high side header could be extended to the west and run down the inside wall to a garden hose bib. The bib could be inside or out. Frost proof hose bibs are available in various lengths that can extend from the outside wall to the inside and shut off in the heated space. Use a bib without a back flow preventer. Water must flow in both directions. (Available from Amazon)

Safety Signage

Cautionary signage should be installed on all exterior accessible plumbing stating “Non Potable Water Do Not Drink”. The handles could be removed too.

Roof Structure Safety Review

The rooftop water bladders are in direct contact with the container ceiling. The ceiling is supported and held in place by 3 ea. 1-1/2” square steel tubes running the length of the container and perpendicular to the added wood rafter system above. The rafters are ea. #2 hem fir 2×12’s cut down to 11”. They are nailed together and banded on both ends. The pair are on 27” centers creating a 24” wide bladder space. The spaces are lined with a layer of 10 mil poly sheet to protect the urethane bladder and for added water proofing. The square tubes are attached to the bottom of each rafter with a 5/16”×6” lag screw. Total penetration into the rafter is approx. 3”. This detail was discussed with others at Zomeworks at the time and accepted as adequate and safe.

Recommendation: This detail should be reviewed by a registered engineer for approval and safety. Suggested modification: replace existing lags with perhaps a 3/8 dia. × 8” lag for additional penetration and security. The existing lags appear to have been installed with caulk. If a leak occurs above, water could lead to mold, eventual rot, and failure. Currently a leak could migrate to the outside wall and run down or evaporate undetected.

Recommendation: Drill several small weep holes on centerline of the doubled up rafters. No holes can be drilled between the rafters through the ceiling — a hole would destroy the bladder.

Bladder Inventory

There are 8 bladders installed. 12 bladders were purchased. The extra bladders should be accounted for and go with the shelter. They were in a cardboard box which is believed to have made its way to the Baer house.

Water Load Notes

The bladder cavity depth is 11”. The foam insulation float is 4” thick (possibly 4-1/2”). The float displaces some water volume and weight. The total water head pressure above the ceiling is about 14”.

Wattbox Solar Power System

The drawing package includes a wiring schematic for the Wattbox stand-alone solar power system. It was working when it was in the Zomeworks yard. Best case is it only needs a battery replacement to work again. The Tank Top Cool Cell battery enclosure was checked — it was still holding water so it works and should be topped off when serviced. It can be drained for transport by a siphon through the top fill plug.

Roof Water Staining

Roof water run-off has stained two of the solar absorber panels. Flashing should be installed above the panels to deflect the run-off. The stain may wash or scrub off. Be careful not to damage the black coating.