[RE-wrenches] Ground mount fire code clarifications

Sat Mar 21 14:58:32 EDT 2020

Thanks for all the input on this, All. Here's an example of what Jay is
pointing out regarding defensible space around the array. Note that the
array was still live at ~140vdc when these photos were taken. The house was
saved by helicopter water drops.

Dan Fink
Executive Director, Buckville Energy Consulting
NABCEP PV Associate
NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers
d <dan.fink at greendustrialtraining.com>anbob88 at gmail.com
970-672-4342

On Sat, Mar 21, 2020 at 12:49 PM Jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com> wrote:

> There is another aspect to the 10’ rule which is, its protection for the
> array from wildfires. 10’ might not be enough for that though depending on
> where you live.
>
> In regards to what’s being discussed, I have many ground mounts (not
> talking pole mounts)out there, I try to have them as high off the ground as
> practical, and to allow easy grass cutting. Yes brush would have been
> removed before install.
> I don’t agree with bringing  gravel in, or any sort of barrier, we don t
> need a sterile environment under the array.  And anyone who’s ever seen
> such a weed cloth/gravel area will see it grass in over time, so it really
> doesn’t work.
> Where I live, no fire danger in the winter after the rains, and during the
> green grass of spring. Cut the grass as it drys, and as we get no summer
> rain no more grass grows, until the following winter rains,spring time.
>
> Many people live in green all year areas, Hawaii for example, or what
> about if you have enough water to keep it all green?
>
> In the end it’s the AHJ’s world
>
> Jay
>
> Peltz power.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 20, 2020, at 7:28 PM, Martin Herzfeld <findsolar at herzfeld.org>
> wrote:
>
> 
> Dan,
>
> I think there should more discussions on ground-mounted arrays as an
> option in addition to rooftop systems - to get out ahead of any issues.  In
> addition, any renderings for ground-mounted arrays and ground-mounted stuff
> as ESSs.
>
> 1.  By definition, a brush could mean a "slight and fleeting touch" -
> which we do not want to do at these times :) or "undergrowth, small trees
> and shrubs."
>
> 2.  The challenge also in one and and two family dwellings when there is a
> setback of only (3) three feet as an accessory structure and the (10) foot
> rule.
>
> 3.  I think mounts can be categorized in general as SPMs (Side of Pole
> Mounts), TPMs (Top of Pole Mounts), MPM's (Multiple Pole Mounts) or an Open
> Structure with the ability to walk underneath or a Closed structure where
> you can not walk underneath.
>
> 4. BTW, you may wish to look at versions of ISEP and the IRC too?
>
> "A.   RS402.4 (R324.6) Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems.
>
> Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems shall be designed and installed in
> accordance with Section (R301).
>
> B.  RS402.4.1 (R324.6.1) Fire separation distances.
>
> Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems shall be subject to the fire
> separation distance requirements determined by the local jurisdiction."
>
>
> 5.  Gravel and the various types is also my goto soil amendment. In
> California, I'd also suggest working with a C27 Landscaping Contractor on
> what type of blue flowers would be okay.
>
>
> What do you think?
>
> All the best,
>
> Martin Herzfeld, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Certified
> Master Trainer ™ for Photovoltaics (PV) Installation Professional #IREC
> 10037
> Contract Training Provider (CTP)
> Adjunct Professor, Energy
>
> California Solar & Electrical Contractor License  #00833782  C46, C10,
> D56, D31, C-7
> Solar, Electrical, Trenching, Pole Installation & Maintenance,
> Instrumentation
>
> Contract Solar (PV) Technical Inspector - 3rd Party Inspections
> Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Certified PV Installer #17, OSHA 30
> OSHA-Authorized Construction Trainer #32-0105338
> CompTIA Certified Technical Classroom Trainer (CTT+) #T3NSZCNBBKB4QTQG
>
> * Professional Member, International Association of Electrical Inspectors
> #7035507
> * Accredited and Registered North American Board of Certified Energy
> Practitioners (NABCEP) Continuing Education (CE) Provider
>
> Telephone & Text: 510.243.0190
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 20, 2020, 4:06 PM Dan Fink <danbob88 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hello esteemed Wrenches; I am trying to clear this up for a client and
>> his AHJ, which is also puzzled at how to interpret IFC 2018, Section
>> 1204.4, which states:
>>
>> Setback requirements shall not apply to ground-mounted, free-standing
>>> photovoltaic arrays. A clear, brush-free area of 10 feet (3048 mm) shall be
>>> required for ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays.
>>
>>
>> I found one lone informational note in a white paper stating this was to
>> prevent a burning PV array from igniting surrounding vegetation and the
>> fire spreading.
>>
>> So, has anyone dealt with an AHJ on this before? Our questions are:
>>
>>    - What exactly is a "free-standing photovoltaic array" that is
>>    exempt? A pole mount? Couldn't burning debris from that ignite vegetation
>>    underneath?
>>    - What exactly does "A clear, brush-free area of 10 feet (3048 mm)"
>>    mean? "10 feet" is a linear measurement, not an area, that would be in
>>    square feet.
>>    - What is "brush"? Does grass count as brush?
>>
>> I would interpret this on the safe side as meaning that all vegetation
>> under the PV array and out to a 10 foot perimeter should be cleared, except
>> for pole-mount arrays (that exception makes no sense to me).
>>
>> I always recommend to clients that the area *under* the ground mount
>> array should be pea gravel bordered by railroad ties, but out to 10 feet
>> from the array edge seems excessive.
>>
>> Any input greatly appreciated!
>>
>> Dan Fink
>> Executive Director, Buckville Energy Consulting
>> NABCEP PV Associate
>> NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector
>> IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
>> ~ PV Installation Professional
>> ~ Small Wind Installer
>> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers
>> d <dan.fink at greendustrialtraining.com>anbob88 at gmail.com
>> 970-672-4342
>>
>>
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