[RE-wrenches] Are PV Systems Mechanical Equipment

[Dave Click]

Jason,

There's a 2009 Broward County interpretation that you should be able to 
use for some leverage:

See Page 23 (or search for "solar")-
http://www.broward.org/CodeAppeals/Documents/FIWebDoc.pdf

Obviously, it's difficult to move an 8000 pound chiller off a roof to 
reroof beneath it, whereas PV would be easy but tedious. Clearly a 
chiller should be elevated. I'd agree that PV should only be elevated if 
they're requiring the same clearances under a lightning protection system.

Dave

On 2013/2/2 10:31, Jason Szumlanski wrote:
> That is my usual "common sense" argument - no regular maintenance. There
> is no more maintenance than a lightning protection system, attic fan
> (with moving parts) or other roof mounted apparatus. It would be nice to
> have a specific exclusion listed in the code.
>
>
> *Jason Szumlanski*//
>
> /Fafco Solar
>
> /
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 3:45 PM, Steven Lawrence
> <lawrencesteven at gmail.com <mailto:lawrencesteven at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>     The state of NJ has rules that PV modules do not require regular
>     maintenance thus the clearance rules and access do not apply.  It's
>     somewhere in the construction code communicator of 2008-2010.
>     It maybe not exactly what you're looking for, but maybe it'll help.
>
>         Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:44:31 -0500
>         From: Jason Szumlanski <jason at fafcosolar.com
>         <mailto:jason at fafcosolar.com>>
>         To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>         <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>>
>         Subject: [RE-wrenches] Are PV Systems Mechanical Equipment?
>         Message-ID:
>
>         <CAJJtG3qj7sVpjD-=W1YnBN7dckd9wB9zLo673W+dD6x7af74+g at mail.gmail.com
>         <mailto:W1YnBN7dckd9wB9zLo673W%2BdD6x7af74%2Bg at mail.gmail.com>>
>         Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>         The Florida Building Code definitions of "equipment" and
>         "appliances" in
>         the Mechanical Code do not include solar arrays, yet some building
>         officials insist on applying provisions of the mechanical code.
>         Specifically, we get quite a few comments about mounting height
>         above the
>         roof and permanent access ladders and platforms. What is your
>         experience in
>         your state, and do you consider solar arrays to be "mechanical
>         equipment."
>
>         (If you have any ammo specific to FBC 2010 that I can use, I'd
>         be happy to
>         get your thoughts off-list).
>
>         *Jason Szumlanski** *
>
>         *Fafco Solar*
>
>
>
>
>
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