[RE-wrenches] California fire/PVclearnces

Sat Sep 12 18:04:48 PDT 2015

In Oregon,  it works like this:

304.9 Fire Fighter Access and Escape. To provide access and escape for Fire Fighters the location of roof-mounted PV modules shall comply with the requirements of this section.
304.9.1 General Pathway Requirements. All PV installations shall include a 36 inch wide (914mm)
pathway maintained along three sides of the solar roof. The bottom edge of a roof with a slope that exceeds 2:12 shall not be used as a pathway. All pathways shall be located over a structurally supported area and measured from edge of the roof and horizontal ridge to the solar array or any portion thereof.
Exception:
1. On structures with a PV array area of 1,000 square feet (92.90 m2) or less installed on a roof with a slope that exceeds 2:12 and with an intersecting adjacent roof and where no section is larger than 150 feet (45720 mm) measured in length or width:
1.1. Where the PV array does not exceed 25% as measured in plan view of total roof area of the structure, a minimum 12 inch (305mm) unobstructed pathway, shall be maintained along each side of any horizontal ridge.
1.2. Where the solar array area exceeds 25% as measured in plan view of total roof area of the structure, a minimum of one 36 inch (914 mm) unobstructed pathway from ridge to eave, over a structurally supported area, must be provided in addition to a minimum 12 inch (305 mm) unobstructed pathway along each side of any horizontal ridge.
2. Pathways are not required on non-occupied accessory structures provided they are separated from occupied structures by a 6 feet (3048 mm) minimum separation distance or by a minimum two-hour fire rated assembly.
3. Townhouses providing fire separation as required by the applicable code at the time of construction may be considered one structure and comply with the provisions of Section 304.9.1(1.1).
Where townhouses are separated by real property lines and pathways cross real property lines, the building official shall review, approve and maintain a record of all easements for access related to the PV system installation. Easements may be general in nature or they may describe specific locations. The applicant shall provide a copy of the recorded easement to the building official prior to issuance of the building permit. Easements shall be recorded for each affected dwelling unit and the book and page number provided to the jurisdiction having authority.
Commentary: This section is meant to address issues that can arise in the event of a fire emergency. The committee worked with a group of solar installers, jurisdictions and fire services personnel to develop provisions that would allow for the maximum amount of space for installing solar panels, while ensuring that fire fighters can respond to a fire emergency in a safe manner. Firefighters require minimum access pathways to move about the roof during a fire event, providing an unobstructed path should the need arise to move quickly. This section contains a general requirement as well as exceptions to the general requirement for smaller systems, non-habitable accessory structures, and townhouses.
The general requirements for a 3 foot pathway on three sides of the array apply, unless one of the exceptions is met. The “solar roof” is the roof or roof plane that will have the solar panels installed on it. The bottom edge of a sloped roof cannot be used as a pathway; discussion with the fire services indicated that walking along the bottom edge of a sloped roof for venting or egress would not be safe. On a flat roof, the three 3-foot pathways can be placed wherever is convenient.
The first exception addresses solar arrays that are 1,000 square feet or less and installed on a roof with a minimum slope of 2:12. In this instance, where the array takes up less than 25% of the total roof area, and there is an adjacent roof plane(often the North facing roof) there is no requirement for a three-foot pathway; however, installers must maintain 12 inches along the ridgeline to allow for fire ladder hooks in the event of a fire. In most all instances, where a solar array comprised less than 25% of a roof’s surface there is a way for fire services personnel to get off a solared roof without having to navigate through or over panels. Gabled roofs will have an adjacent roof plan so long as one side of the roof is clear of panels.
Where a solar array is 1,000 square feet or less and takes up more than 25% of the total roof area where the slope is 2:12 or greater and there is an adjacent roof without panels, then a solar installation must allow for 12 inches at the ridge and a 3-foot pathway for fire fighter egress. Pathways on or near the eaves must be over a structurally supported area; some overhangs on older structures are cantilevered and may not support the weight of a firefighter.
Where a particular structure makes it impracticable or unlikely that the fire services will require the top ridge for ladder attachment, or impractical for fire services to walk along or vent the roof, then the building official should consider working with installers on modifications to this section. Under section 103.10 the building official has the ability to modify provisions of the code where strict adherence is impracticable. Any required pathway must be shown on the plans. Non-habitable accessory structures are not subject to the pathway requirements. Committee discussion was that fire services personnel will rarely need to go onto the roof of a non-habitable structure.. A townhouse can be treated as a single structure for purposes of the pathway requirements provided that an easement has been properly recorded and provided to the building 
We STRONGLY suggest other states, at the bare minimum, follow this OR something even more solarcentric. 
 Andrew KoyaanisqatsiPresidentSolar Energy Solutions, Inc.Since 1987,Moving Portland and Beyond to an Environmentally Sustainable Future.503-238-4502
www.SolarEnergyOregon.com "Better one's House too little one daythan too big all the Year after." 

     On Saturday, September 12, 2015 8:16 AM, jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com> wrote:

 HI Guys,
There is an exception in 605.11.3 -2.About getting the approval of local fire chief for roof ridge variations.

Do you know if there is a full exception somewhere in this code that would allow for example no 3’ setbacks.
I do know a number of people who have gone to the local fire district and have the fire chief sign off that they don’t get on roofs or won’t for that building ( too steep/tall,etc)and have then taken that to the building department.
good luck,
jaysent 9/12/15  7:48am

On Sep 12, 2015, at 7:02 AM, August Goers <august at luminalt.com> wrote:
Hi Bill, See California 2013 Fire Code 605.11 Solar photovoltaic power systems. https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/bsc.ca.gov/gov.ca.bsc.2013.09.pdf 605.11 Solar photovoltaic power systems. Solar photovoltaic power systems shall be installed in accordance with Sections 605.11.1 through 605.11.4, the California Building > Code and the Cal~fornia Electrical Code. Exception: Detached, non habitable Group U structures including, but not limited to, parking shade structures, carports, solar trellises and similar structures shall not be subject to the requirements of this section. And Group U defined under definitions: [B] Miscellaneous Group U. Buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy shall be constructed, equipped and maintained to conform to the requirements of this code commensurate with the fire and life hazard incidental to their occupancy. Group U shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Agricultural buildings Aircraft hangar, accessory to a one- or two-family residence (see Section 412.5 of the California Building Code) Barns Carports Fences more than 6 feet (1829 mm) high Grain silos, accessory to a residential occupancy Greenhouses Livestock shelters Private garages Retaining walls Sheds Stables Tanks Towers Good luck out there! Best, August Luminalt From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of frenergy
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2015 9:55 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] California fire/PVclearnces CA Wrenches,         My installs are mostly in unincorporated towns and properties outside of small towns in the Sierras.  I understand the requirements for walk space around PV arrays here in CA on residential dwellings.  Do these requirements pertain to "outbuildings"  such as shops, garages, storage sheds and the like?         I would like to be able to run the edge of the array a bit closer than 3' to the roof's edge due to limited space. Thanks, Bill Feather River Solar Electric

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