Fire Department Setback warning [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

<x-flowed>

Dan,

Thank you for speaking up. Some people are dancing around this issue because 
firefighters are held in high esteem - like troops. Well, I fought fires and 
was a troop so listen up. A roof is no obstacle for a determined 
firefighter. This setback issue it is a serious PV industry threat. I would 
hate for this subject to devolve into a post-mortem study done by an 
out-of-work PV person - a study that lists the negative economic impacts of 
PV array restrictions. I support nothing less than the freedom to put PV on 
every building surface that receives sunlight.

Joel Davidson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Brown" <Cvsolar2 at aol.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 8:26 PM
Subject: Re: Fire Department Setback warning [RE-wrenches]


>
>
> Hey guys;
>       I moonlight (volunteer) as a Firefighter (Level 1) / WEMT up here in
> the boonies. granted we don't see the traffic folks down country see, but 
> seems
> to me modern fire fighting ventilation equipment would make dam short work 
> of
> an array -- if it were in the way. Remember, these folks are trained to 
> cut
> screaming kids out of flaming over horse'd SUVs (in minutes).  No, I see 
> the
> problem as a lack of understanding -- of how PV systems work. I'd like to
> suggest that we train me fellow firefighters (for free) in the workings of 
> PV
> systems in general.  Like the difference between grid tied and battery 
> back up
> systems -- how roof mounting systems work.  the "oh shit switch" (gotta 
> keep it in
> terms an 8th grader can handle), where should it be? what's it do -- what 
> it
> doesn't do, or disconnects in general -- how to make your own in an 
> emergency.
> ( seems i was warned at one time that if i did need to make my own 
> disconnect
> -- i.e. cut a batt. cable, that i should take out a one foot section, so 
> that
> the ends don't reconnect -- they've probably already heard that one). 
> also,
> try to keep in mind the tools they're likely to be using -- ax, haligan, 
> maybe a
> thermal imaging camera -- and water.  maybe cover common  stuff their 
> likely
> to see -- like safety stuff, and how it works, grounding, the idea of 
> circuit
> continuity, or the conduit runs (composition) between the array and the
> switches etc. maybe suggest they carry up vice grips, or C clamps, to hold 
> panels if
> they did have to loosen up a bottom or something. bet you'd find more
> interest than you bargained for. maybe even offer a discount for PV on 
> fire houses
> (marketing 101?) . no, i don't see a PV array slowing me down much if i 
> had to g
> et into a roof system in a hurry.  might even be a safe place to stand. PV 
> (as
> well as other new fangled envro friendly gadgetry) is here to stay. as
> firefighters, we're going to see more and more of it -- might as well get 
> use to it.
> respectfully. db
>
> Dan Brown
> President
> Foxfire Energy Corp.
> Renewable Energy Systems
> (802)-483-2564
> www.Foxfire-Energy.com
> NABCEP #092907-44
>
>
> **************
> Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new
> twists on family favorites at AOL Food.
>
> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)
>
> --
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> - - - -
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: 
> http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read
>
> List rules & how to change your email address: 
> www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>
> 


- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael.welch at re-wrenches.org

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------


</x-flowed>