[RE-wrenches] FW: Fire Access lane for ground mount

[August Goers]

Hi Wrenches -

See feedback below from fire Captain Matt Paiss of San Jose. Matt, thanks
for your input. Best, August

-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Paiss [mailto:mpaiss at earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2011 11:07 PM
To: august at luminalt.com
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Fire Access lane for ground mount

August,

Please feel free to post this:

As a firefighter, and one who has taught many firefighters PV Safety (some
co-taught with Bill Brooks), I believe I can offer some help here.  As
Bill stated, this as is often the case on many interpretation calls, will
depend on the AHJ.  However, I can tell you that when it comes to driving
on grass with a 60,000 lbs fire engine, getting stuck is not an option.
Therefore, departments that do not have 4wd apparatus may insist on "Fire
Access" roads.  I have worked with just this situation with another
integrator and a fire marshal.  The initial request was a 20' wide road
(Fire Access road requirement) around the entire plant (2 MW).  This was
ultimately revised to just one side, with a 12' wide "maintenance" road
the rest.

Of more concern is the vegetation management plan for any ground mount
site.  Please don't think just 2-3 years out, rather 10-15 years...as that
may be when a lack of regular and proper O&M will result in a visit from
the local fire department.

Regards,

Matt Paiss, Captain
San Jose Fire Department