<div dir="ltr">Yes! And the IFC and IRC both allow local fire officials to basically require, or allow, whatever they want (Exception 2 to IFC 1204.2 and IRC R324.6).</div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><br></div><div>Brian Mehalic <br>NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional\u2122 R031508-59</div><div>520.204.6639<br><div><br></div><div><div><div>Solar Energy International<br><a href="http://www.solarenergy.org" target="_blank">http://www.solarenergy.org</a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>SEI Professional Services</div><div><a href="http://www.seisolarpros.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12.8px">http://www.s</span>eisolarpros.com</a><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Apr 4, 2018 at 9:22 AM, Darryl Thayer <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:darylsolar1@gmail.com" target="_blank">darylsolar1@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="auto">Thank you good comments, facts, i am in Mn my last 3 installs the fire marshal said he did not care, he would use the north side of the roof or not at all. </div><div class="HOEnZb"><div class="h5"><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr">On Wed, Apr 4, 2018, 9:53 AM William Miller <<a href="mailto:william@millersolar.com" target="_blank">william@millersolar.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><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_-8871215337069585017m_-3280102189214168648WordSection1"><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_-8871215337069585017m_-3280102189214168648Picture_x0020_1" alt="Gradient Cap_mini"><br>Lic 773985<br><a href="http://www.millersolar.com/" rel="noreferrer" 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" rel="noreferrer" 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><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" rel="noreferrer" 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_-8871215337069585017m_-3280102189214168648m-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" rel="noreferrer" 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" rel="noreferrer" 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" rel="noreferrer" 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" rel="noreferrer" 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" rel="noreferrer" 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" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.members.re-wrenches.org</a></p></blockquote></div></div></div>
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