[RE-wrenches] CA Fire code

Sat Jan 11 09:04:25 PST 2014

Bill,

As requested, attached was the revision from 2009 with the specific
wording.  For instance, I think this was revised for 2013 ...

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

We met with the Nevada County AHJ and the local CalFire Chief yesterday to
discuss details about the new Title 24 regs. So far, their official policy
on PV mod fire rating is this:

"Modules shall be tested, listed, and identified with the fire
classification based on the specific type of building construction. (See
CBC Table 1505.1 for specific classification requirements)."

Basically, we can install Class C rated modules on buildings of Type 2B,
3B, and 5B construction. Anything else requires a Class A or B module.
That's the latest word from Nevada County.

Special thanks to Lars et al. at Cal Solar for keeping the rest of us up
here in the Gold Country in socks and groceries. Flowers are on their way.

Eric Stikes
SunHarvest
001.530.798.3738 (Cell)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Bill Brooks
> To: findsolar at herzfeld.org ; 'RE-wrenches'
> Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2014 5:17 PM
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] CA Fire code
>
> Martin,
>
>
>
> Regarding your reference to installations west of I-280 requiring Class
A, I did not find that in Palo Alto’s materials. The City of Woodside fire
department was very involved in the CalFire Guidelines and I would not be
surprised if they implemented such a requirement. If you can find a
specific document with the wording, I would love to see it. I will likely
be working with SEIA to draft some educational materials on the new
standards and how to apply them.
>
>
>
> Bill.
>
>
>
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:
re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Martin Herzfeld
> Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2014 4:13 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] CA Fire code
>
>
>
>
> 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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