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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Could someone help clarify the fire access requirements as stated in the Cal Fire Code? (Text below)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It’s my understanding that regardless of hips, valleys or a building with a single ridge each roof plane with modules requires a 3’ eave to ridge clear access pathway and a 3’ setback from the ridge to the top edge of the solar array for ventilation requirements.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My questions:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. Does the 3’ ventilation setback requirement need to be clear of obstructions?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. Would a cross-gable roof, which has two ridges, require only one access pathway alongside the array regardless of where the second ridge is located?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. Does the single ridge requirement apply to a building with a single ridge and a dormer? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4. A cross-gable roof would require a single 3’ access pathway along one side but because this can be on either side of the array, one side of the array could be right up to the left or right roof edge as long as there is 3’ on the other side, correct? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>5. Does a roof surface with a valley and a hip (cross-hipped) still need to have at least one 3’ access pathway along one side of the array? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For the last one I understand that if there are no modules on the adjacent roof the modules do not need to be 18” from the hip/valley but do you still need at least one 3’ access pathway on that roof plane? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have read Bill Brooks guideline on this but some of the jurisdictions we are working with have different ways of interpreting the requirements. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Code<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>605.11.3.2.1 Residential buildings with hip roof<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>layouts. Panels/modules installed on residential<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>buildings with hip roof layouts shall be located in a<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>manner that provides a 3-foot-wide (914 mm) clear<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>access pathway from the eave to the ridge on each<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>roof slope where panels/modules are located. The<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>access pathway shall be located at a structurally<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>strong location on the building capable of supporting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the live load of fire fighters accessing the roof.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Exception: These requirements shall not apply<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>units horizontal (2: 12) or less.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>605.11.3.2.2 Residential buildings with a single<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ridge. Panels/modules installed on residential buildings<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>with a single ridge shall be located in a manner<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>that provides two, 3-foot-wide (914 mm) access<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>pathways from the eave to the ridge on each roof<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>slope where panels/modules are located.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Exception: This requirement shall not apply to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>horizontal (2: 12) or less.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>605.11.3.2.3 Residential buildings with roof hips<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and valleys. Panels/modules installed on residential<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>buildings with roof hips and valleys shall be located<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>no closer than 18 inches (457 mm) to a hip or a valley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>where panels/modules are to be placed on both<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>sides of a hip or valley. Where panels are to be<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>located on only one side of a hip or valley that is of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>equal length, the panels shall be permitted to be<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>placed directly adjacent to the hip or valley.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Exception: These requirements shall not apply<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>units horizontal (2: 12) or less.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>605.11.3.2.4 Residential building smoke ventilation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Panels/modules installed on residential buildings<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>shall be located no higher than 3 feet (914 mm)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>below the ridge in order to allow for fire department<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>smoke ventilation operations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>--<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>John Stimac | Corvallis, OR<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Renewable Energy Associates LLC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>541-754-2001 Office/Fax<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:john@renewableassociates.com"><span style='color:blue'>john@renewableassociates.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.renewableassociates.com/"><span style='color:blue'>www.renewableassociates.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=200 height=79 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01CFD0EE.2C2FAEB0" alt="REAL_logo_black2"><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>