[RE-wrenches] CA Fire code

[Martin Herzfeld]

1.  In addition to the thoughts shared, for instance, for one AHJ:

(A) I think "Photovoltaic Installations west of Interstate 280 require PV
modules to have a minimum Class A fire rating" - requirements and
'additional information' since 2009 were revised and updated here ...?

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/utl/residents/resources/pcm/pv_permitting_and_interconnection.asp

(B) Also ground-mount options - not only just rooftops - CSFM Guidelines
Section 5.0, ...

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/34052
http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/informationbulletin/pdf/2012/IB_12-004_FireApparatusAccessRoadsPhotovoltaicFacilities.pdf
http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/training/pdf/Photovoltaics/Fire%20Ops%20PV%20lo%20resl.pdf

You may first check with the specific jurisdiction for more information ...

2.  In addition, you may want to join or attend the IAEI meetings in
California, there's good information on this and other topics at the
monthly meetings and CEUs.

http://www.iaei.org

3.  By the way, I attended at the very last stakeholder meeting in SF and
the publications here for new changes and updates ...

http://www.solarabcs.org/about/publications/reports/flammability-testing/index.html

4. Wildland Hazard/Building Codes

http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_prevention/fire_prevention_wildland_zones.php

We'll check it out on an install, if in the area ...

Martin Herzfeld
California Contractor License  #833782
UL Certified PV Installer #17, OSHA 30
Certified Technical Classroom Trainer (CTT+)
OSHA-Authorized Construction Trainer

Wrenches,
If you are in a wild land fire zone in CA, it looks like we are all in for
a rude awakening. Our local AHJ is requiring not only set backs for
ventilation of roofs, but also THAT ALL PANELS ON THE ROOF CARY A CLASS A
FIRE RATING! It doesn't take allot of research to realize that this pretty
much eliminates roof-top solar as an option, as if you can eve find a class
A panel, they are cost prohibitive. I'm wondering a couple things. One, has
anyone had luck using the local political process to postpone the
enforcement of the class A requirement? and two, has anyone found readily
available Class A modules?
  This issue seems to have caught the industry with it's pants down, as
industry lobby doesn't even seem to be aware that the the local AHJ's would
have this interpretation. Is this the end of roof top solar in 60% of
California? What are y'all doing to deal with this issue?

--

Lars Ortegren

President

California Solar Electric Company

.PO Box 480

149 E.Main St

Grass Valley, CA 95945

Phone : (530)274-3671 Fax: (530)274-7518

 California C-10 Electical Contractor #779624

Certified NABCEP Continuing Education Provider

Certified NAPCEP Technical Sales and Installation Profesional

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