[RE-wrenches] Inspector interaction

[Dana]

Rebecca,

 

We have encountered this a few years back on an inspector issue [ known by
most of the early solar manufacturers as that SOB in CO] that he claimed the
issue was subject to AHJ [A@#$%^ Having Jurisdiction] .

I went over my inspectors head to his supervisor who saw my logic. The
inspector came back at my with "Why did you do that we could have talked?"
and  it was one of those perfect moment to say "I tried and you did not want
to hear me". We now get along great and  have a real "working" relationship.
He respects me and is now willing to discuss anything and it was a real
transformation of the working relationship.

 

I have found that upfront discussions to ask their opinion and treating
inspectors as an advocate and involving them in the process turns a lot of
these situations with inspectors into a good interaction. They need to feel
wanted and appreciated and catch a lot of flack day in and out and I think
it sours them in time.

 

Hope this is constructive.

 

Dana Orzel

 

Great Solar Works, Inc

www.solarwork.com

E - dana at solarwork.com

V - 970.626.5253

F - 970.626.4140

C - 970.209.4076

 

I will be the shift in how the world uses power! - Dana Orzel

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Rebecca
Lundberg
Sent: Friday, December 04, 2009 6:55 PM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] PV wind load

 

Solar is somewhat 'new technology' where I live. :-) I have a building
inspector that feels that (32) Sanyo modules (6.88 kW array) mounted to a
house roof is going to cause undue stress to the roof truss (it is a regular
house in a Minnesota suburb, building height is 26', 30 degree roof angle,
in a suburban neighborhood. 2" x 4" manufactured truss). We are leaving
12-24" on each edge with no PV, and are careful to attach to the center of
each rafter.

The inspector is not that concerned with dead load, but is especially
concerned with wind load. We have provided an engineering letter that
ascertains that a solar array mounted parallel to the roof surface is well
within the parameters of what a typical roof truss can handle. We were
required to have an engineer look at this address specifically, so we then
provided an additional engineer's letter that affirmed that yes, solar
mounted in the manner we proposed (with Quick-Mount attachment and Unirac
SolarMount rails, all installed according to manufacturers' instructions)
would be fine on this home. The building inspector insists that the wind
load is excessive, and wants more analysis. Do any of you have ideas,
experience, or data that might help me?

Rebecca Lundberg
Powerfully Green
Champlin, MN

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