GSHP Standards

The Ground Source Heat Pump Association recognises that the ground source industry requires installation standards in order to define and maintain a high level of installation quality, protect the environment and maintain the reputation of the industry.

The Standards have been drawn up by the GSHPA to help designers and installers of ground source systems, architects and engineers specifying ground source systems. They can be used by contractors employing specialist companies to install ground source systems. The Standards should also prove to be a useful for general reference.

The GSHP Standards provide concise information for the materials and general specification of installations. They are not installation or training manuals. The Standards must be referred to in conjunction with recognised design qualifications and training programmes. The Standards are designed to enable reference to minimum materials specification, techniques and qualification requirements and to ensure that installations comply with the Standards, or that contractors are employing companies that comply with the Standards.

Shallow Ground Source Standard

The third to be published is the Shallow Ground Source Standard which covers Closed Loop Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers: Design, Installation & Materials Standards under the following headings:

  • Regulatory & Government Agency Requirements
  • Design & Installation - Personnel & Training Requirements
  • Design Methods and Compliance
  • Soil Thermal Conductivity Testing
  • Ground Heat Exchanger Pipe Materials & Jointing
  • Groundworks
  • Pipe Placement & Backfilling
  • Flush, Purge & Pressure test of Ground Heat Exchanger
  • Pumps, Manifolds & Pressurisation
  • Thermal Transfer Fluid Requirements
  • Design Drawings & As Built Records
  • Submittals & Alterations To Standards

ICAX Ltd is a member of the GSHPA and all its installations conform to the GSHP Standards.

Ground Source Heat Pump Association


ICAX projects using Horizontal Heat Exchangers include:

Toddington, Bedfordshire
Howe Dell School, Hertfordshire