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<p><font size="4">Good luck with that dysfunctionality. In Rhode
Island, it states that a PE has to sign a statement attesting to
the structural integrity if non engineered racking system is
used. We used engineered systems as most everyone does.
However, we now have a new Building Official that has reported
me as I am an ME and not an Structural Engineer even though we
are using an engineered system and the State form says PE
only. We have gone from bad to worse. I have been doing this
work for over 20 years and now because of this new person, who
seems to want to mark his territory, I no longer can do this
work. Three engineering degrees, one a Masters, a PE and still
not good enough for RI. Chris </font><br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 11/16/2021 8:09 AM, Jason Szumlanski
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CAE438R_+aQ6RDRjRrGJ29Am7qODkQQdoj2e4scUztnZLaHps2Q@mail.gmail.com">
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<div dir="auto">This is mostly for Florida wrenches, but there may
be some wider insight and similarities with other jurisdictions.
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">In Florida, many jurisdictions require a solar
contractor to sign an affidavit stating that solar panels are
installed per certain guidelines, typically that they meet
some Florida Solar Energy Center standard and that they are
installed in or around trusses and the system weight does not
exceed 5 lb per square foot. The affiant signs this document
under the penalty of perjury in order to avoid the requirement
for a detailed inspection of the structural attachments. </div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">I have been on a one-man mission trying to get
these documents revised in each jurisdiction where I work. My
problem with the document in most jurisdictions is twofold:</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">1. The affidavit often references an FSEC design
guide that is intended for solar pool heating and solar
domestic water heating systems. It is not applicable to
photovoltaic systems, yet jurisdictions ask you to certify
that a PV system was installed per this design guide.</div>
<div dir="auto">2. There are numerous products on the market and
instances where a decking only attachment is appropriately
used without attaching to a truss. There is nothing I can find
in the International Building Code or Florida Building Code
that requires a truss attachment. If the product being used is
designed for decking only and if the system is designed by a
professional engineer, I don't see any requirement for a truss
attachment. Futhermore, a commercial roof may not even have
trusses, per se. A concrete screw or anchor may be used, or a
ballasted or semi-ballasted mounting system could work. Purlin
attachments are common. Base plates with screws in steel
decking can work. Perhaps the most common exception to truss
attachments here are standing seam clamps. </div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">Anyway, I'm trying to figure out the origin of
these documents and how they were originally applied to both
solar thermal and PV systems. I don't have a problem signing
them if they are accurate and what I'm signing is not
perjurious. But I'm seeing contractors blindly doing just that
every day. </div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">Jason Szumlanski</div>
<div dir="auto">Florida Solar Design Group</div>
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
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Christopher Warfel</font><br>
<font face="PMingLiU-ExtB"> ENTECH
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