<div dir="ltr">Hi All in California -<div><br></div><div>New intervening codes in California are on their way effective July 1, 2018:</div><div>
<ul style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"><li style="margin-left:15px"><a href="https://cdn-web.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/errata_central/2016CA-IRC-070118.pdf" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">https://cdn-web.iccsafe.org/<wbr>wp-content/uploads/errata_<wbr>central/2016CA-IRC-070118.pdf</a></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><a href="https://cdn-web.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/errata_central/2016CA-IFC-070118.pdf" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">https://cdn-web.iccsafe.org/<wbr>wp-content/uploads/errata_<wbr>central/2016CA-IFC-070118.pdf</a></li></ul>
It's a long story, but the IRC applies to R3 (single family and duplex) buildings and allows for 18" ridge clearance. The IFC is intended to follow the same 18" clearance but mistakenly the 36" smoke ventilation language was not removed. Apparently this was an administrative error that is supposed to be corrected.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>August</div><div><br></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"">August Goers</span></b></p>
<p><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif""><a href="http://www.luminalt.com" target="_blank">www.luminalt.com</a></span></p>
<p> </p></div></div></div></div>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Apr 3, 2018 at 10:36 PM, William Miller <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:william@millersolar.com" target="_blank">william@millersolar.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div class="m_-7782800806090224303WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Darryl:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">If you are talking about California, I must respectfully disagree. If you are not talking about California, I am ignorant.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">California Fire Code, 2016 version, states the following for group R-3 buildings (which I am fairly certain includes single family homes). This includes provisions for pitched roofs. Upon first reading, I do not see any improvements over the previous version (2012) except that it appears clearance from valleys has reduced from 36\u201d to 18\u201d.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">These regulations are implemented by local fire Marshalls in California (sometimes the same person as the Chief, sometimes not). This gives the Marshalls complete discretion. I have had good luck negotiating with Marshalls and finding good compromises.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Excerpt from 2016 California fire code.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">605.11.1.1 Roof access points. Roof access points</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">shall be located in areas that do not require the placement</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">of ground ladders over openings such as windows</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">or doors, and located at strong points of building construction</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">in locations where the access point does not</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">conflict with overhead obstructions such as tree limbs,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">wires or signs.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">605.11.1.2 Solar photovoltaic systems for Group R-3</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">buildings. Solar photovoltaic systems for Group R-3</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">buildings shall comply with Sections 605.11.1.2.1</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">through 605.11.1.2.5.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Exception: These requirements shall not apply to</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">structures designed and constructed in accordance</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">with the California Residential Code.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">605.11.1.2.1 Size of solar photovoltaic array. Each</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">photovoltaic array shall be limited to 150 feet (45</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">720 mm) by 150 feet (45 720 mm). Multiple arrays</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">shall be separated by a 3-foot-wide (914 mm) clear</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">access pathway.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">605.11.1.2.2 <span style="background:yellow">Hip roof layouts</span>. Panels and modules</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">installed on Group R-3 buildings with hip roof layouts</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">shall be located in a manner that provides a 3-</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">foot-wide (914 mm) clear access pathway from the</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">eave to the ridge on each roof slope where panels</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">and modules are located. The access pathway shall</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">be at a location on the building capable of supporting</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">the fire fighters accessing the roof.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Exception: These requirements shall not apply to</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">horizontal (2:12) or less.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">605.11.1.2.3 <span style="background:yellow">Single-ridge roofs</span>. Panels and modules</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">installed on Group R-3 buildings with a single</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">ridge shall be located in a manner that provides two,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">3-foot-wide (914 mm) access pathways from the</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">eave to the ridge on each roof slope where panels</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">and modules are located.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Exception: This requirement shall not apply to</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">horizontal (2:12) or less.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">605.11.1.2.4 <span style="background:yellow">Roofs with hips and valleys</span>. Panels</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">and modules installed on Group R-3 buildings with</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">roof hips and valleys shall not be located closer than</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">18 inches (457 mm) to a hip or a valley where panels/</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">modules are to be placed on both sides of a hip or</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">valley. Where panels are to be located on only one</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">side of a hip or valley that is of equal length, the</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">panels shall be permitted to be placed directly adjacent</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">to the hip or valley.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Exception: These requirements shall not apply to</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">horizontal (2:12) or less.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">605.11.1.2.5 Allowance for smoke ventilation</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">operations. Panels and modules installed on Group</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">R-3 buildings <span style="background:yellow">shall be located not less than 3 feet</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:yellow">(914 mm) from the ridge</span></i><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"> in order to allow for fire</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">department smoke ventilation operations.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Exception: Panels and modules shall be permitted</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">to be located up to the roof ridge where an</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">alternative ventilation method approved by the</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">fire chief has been provided or where the fire</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">chief has determined vertical ventilation techniques</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">will not be employed.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">605.11.1.2.6 Locations of DC conductors. Conduit,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">wiring systems, and raceways for photovoltaic circuits</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">shall be located as close as possible to the</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">ridge or hip or valley and from the hip or valley as</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">directly as possible to an outside wall to reduce trip</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">hazards and maximize ventilation opportunities.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Conduit runs between sub arrays and to DC combiner</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">boxes shall be installed in a manner that minimizes</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">the total amount of conduit on the roof by</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">taking the shortest path from the array to the DC</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">combiner box. The DC combiner boxes shall be</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">located such that conduit runs are minimized in the</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">pathways between arrays. DC wiring shall be</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">installed in metallic conduit or raceways when</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">located within enclosed spaces in a building. Conduit</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">shall run along the bottom of load bearing</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">members.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><img width="80" height="35" id="m_-7782800806090224303Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D3CB9C.3F87AFB0" alt="Gradient Cap_mini"><br>Lic 773985<br><a href="http://www.millersolar.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">millersolar.com</span></a><br>805-438-5600</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> RE-wrenches [mailto:<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">re-wrenches-bounces@<wbr>lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Darryl Thayer<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 03, 2018 8:51 PM<br><b>To:</b> newrewrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Clearance clarification please</span></p><div><div class="h5"><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><p class="MsoNormal">It is in the building code. It is for commercial flat roofs not for residential</p></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">On Tue, Apr 3, 2018, 2:52 PM <<a href="mailto:chris@oasismontana.com" target="_blank">chris@oasismontana.com</a>> wrote:</p></div><blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in"><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Hey folks:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">What section of the Code relates to the 3' clearance for a solar array? \u2026as in, the roof area around the array. I\u2019ve been scrutinizing the NEC <span class="m_-7782800806090224303m-8972848310407515883spelle">til</span> my eyes are crossed\u2026..</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">THANKS!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Chris Daum</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Oasis Montana Inc.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">406-777-4309</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">406-777-4309 fax</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><a href="http://www.oasismontana.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0563c1">www.oasismontana.com</span></a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> </span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">______________________________<wbr>_________________<br>List sponsored by Redwood Alliance<br><br>List Address: <a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.<wbr>org</a><br><br>Change listserver email address & settings:<br><a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">http://lists.re-wrenches.org/<wbr>options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-<wbr>wrenches.org</a><br><br>List-Archive: <a href="http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html" target="_blank">http://www.mail-archive.com/<wbr>re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.<wbr>org/maillist.html</a><br><br>List rules & etiquette:<br><a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm" target="_blank">www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.<wbr>htm</a><br><br>Check out or update participant bios:<br><a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">www.members.re-wrenches.org</a></p></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div>
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