[RE-wrenches] 2018 Residential Code Fire Setbacks

[August Goers]

It looks like Virginia is indeed on the amended 2018 version of the IRC.
I've found that UpCodes is pretty cool (normally I just use the California
codes since that's where we work):

https://up.codes/codes/virginia

I think that article that Rick pointed to was talking about the 3' pathways
required from the roof edge to the ridge, not the 18" setbacks from the
ridge. Here's the pathway screenshot:

[image: image.png]

August



On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 2:14 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Rick:
>
>
>
> I think this is a state by state issue.  From this article
> <https://www.nist.gov/buildings-construction/understanding-building-codes>
> :
>
>
>
> “Building codes vary from state to state and between jurisdictions.”
>
>
>
> In all jusrisdictions in my part of California, the local Fire Marshal is
> the final arbiter on what is allowed. Some building departments provide
> specifications for setbacks and some require I submit a plan for review to
> the Fire Marshal.
>
>
>
> If you are seeing conflicting requirements, reach out to the Fire Marshal
> and the building department.  What I get away with will have little bearing
> on how your local officials may rule.
>
>
>
> I have obtained variances for being a few inches short of the required
> distance or if the pathway that the setback would create is otherwise
> inaccesble due to lack of safe ladder-set location.  This was accomplished
> by approaching the Fire Marshall with a clear drawing and good logic.
>
>
>
> I hope this helps,
>
>
>
> William Miller
>
>
>
> PS:  The article you cite reads like the world, as we know it, will end
> with the adoption of setbacks in Virginia.  I felt the same way years ago
> when California adopted setbacks, but I am still alive.  Sure, some
> projects allow less PV on a roof now, but I have to rely on experts to
> inform me what is safe for firefighters because I have no expertise on the
> issue.
>
>
>
> WM
>
>
>
> Miller Solar
>
> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
>
> 805-438-5600
>
> www.millersolar.com
>
> CA Lic. 773985
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *rick--- via RE-wrenches
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 7, 2023 12:01 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Cc:* rick at solshineenergy.com
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] 2018 Residential Code Fire Setbacks
>
>
>
> Wrenches,
>
>
>
> Looking for some guidance on setbacks at ridge for PV systems. The 2018
> code states the following:
>
>
> R324.6.2 Setback at ridge.
>
> For photovoltaic arrays occupying not more than 33 percent of the plan
> view total roof area, not less than an 18-inch (457 mm) clear setback is
> required on both sides of a horizontal ridge. For photovoltaic arrays
> occupying more than 33 percent of the plan view total roof area, not less
> than a 36-inch (914 mm) clear setback is required on both sides of a
> horizontal ridge.
>
>
>
> In reading this
> <https://ipsunsolar.com/new-fire-code-setbacks-in-virginia-will-limit-the-size-of-solar-projects/>article
> put out by Ipsun Solar regarding the setbacks, they state that if there’s
> no PV on the opposite side of the roof no setback is required, although
> their diagram shows a 12” setback. I don’t see any exceptions in the code
> that indicate that. What’re you all doing for ridge setbacks?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
>
>
> rick brown
> SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC
> Electrical & Solar Contracting Services
> www.SolShineEnergy.com
> Roanoke, VA
>
> Office: 540.235.3095
> Mobile: 540.808.9502
>
> VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660
> VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762
> VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21
>
>
> [image: solshine-01-18-17 copy.jpg]
>
>
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