CAL FIRE Guideline outside California

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Carultch

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Do any other states have statewide standards for how to lay out setbacks and access paths on rooftop solar arrays? If so, where could one find them? Is there any imminent possibility of the California rules becoming a national standard?
 
Carultch said:
Do any other states have statewide standards for how to lay out setbacks and access paths on rooftop solar arrays? If so, where could one find them? Is there any imminent possibility of the California rules becoming a national standard?
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You would have to check with the AHJ for the area that you are looking at. A number of areas have rules like that for firefighter access. In my opinion, all areas should have such rules.
 
Carultch said:
Do any other states have statewide standards for how to lay out setbacks and access paths on rooftop solar arrays? If so, where could one find them? Is there any imminent possibility of the California rules becoming a national standard?
Click to expand...

In Texas it isn't statewide but local AHJ's choose whether or not to enforce fire code, and then commercial PV is looked at differently from residential PV. Virtually all if not all Texas AHj's enforce fire code (actually I think it's part of building code) on commercial systems but only about 20% do for resi systems.
 
jaggedben said:
Funny you should ask now, since the CA code is going to change majorly in two days.
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I don't install normally PV systems but just posted a thread about installing a system for myself. Can you share what the major changes are or provide a link.

I'm currently planning minimum 3' from the ridge and 3' paths on both sides of the array. I will only have panels on 1 side of a valley so don't need to comply with the 18" clearance.

Thanks
 
curt swartz said:
I don't install normally PV systems but just posted a thread about installing a system for myself. Can you share what the major changes are or provide a link.

I'm currently planning minimum 3' from the ridge and 3' paths on both sides of the array. I will only have panels on 1 side of a valley so don't need to comply with the 18" clearance.
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Biggest change is only 18" required from the ridge, if your not using more than a third of the roof. Generally more flexibility is allowed on the placement of pathways, except that now one must be streetside. You still need at least two overall.

Sierrasparky said:
Not so fast. Just meetings and public comment thru Aug.
code effective date Jan 2020.
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Nope. There are a supplements that go into effect on Sunday.
 
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jaggedben said:
Biggest change is only 18" required from the ridge, if your not using more than a third of the roof. Generally more flexibility is allowed on the placement of pathways, except that now one must be streetside. You still need at least two overall.



Nope. There are a supplements that go into effect on Sunday.
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So it is. I missed that.
I don't get what was changed to 210.**
 
jaggedben said:
210?

The relevant changes are in 605.11.1.2. The italicized parts are revised, I believe.
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Maybe. I downloaded the update and there is more than 605.
They included a whole 210.xx branch circuit requirement. I for the life of me cannot figure out the change....
 
The new text in the CRC is below. I assume the provisions in the other codes are equivalent.

Cheers, Wayne

California Residential Code July 1 said:
R324.6 Roof access and pathways. Roof access, pathways,
and setback requirements shall be provided in accordance
with Sections R324.6.1 through R324.6.2.1. Access and minimum
spacing shall be required to provide emergency access
to the roof, to provide pathways to specific areas of the roof,
to provide for smoke ventilation opportunity areas, and to
provide emergency egress from the roof.
Exceptions:
1. Detached, nonhabitable structures, including but not
limited to detached garages, parking shade structures,
carports, solar trelisses, and similar structures,
shall not be required to provide roof access.
2. Roof access, pathways, and setbacks need not be
provided where the fire code official has determined
that rooftop operations will not be employed.
3. These requirements shall not apply to roofs with
slopes of 2 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2: 12)
or less.
R324.6.1 Pathways. Not less than two minimum 36-inchwide
(914 mm) pathways on separate roof planes, from
lowest roof edge to ridge, shall be provided on all buildings.
At least one pathway shall be provided on the street
or driveway side of the roof. For each roof plane with a
photovoltaic array, a minimum 36-inch-wide (914 mm)
pathway from the lowest roof edge to ridge shall be provided
on the same roof plane as the photovoltaic array, on
an adjacent roof plane, or straddling the same and adjacent
roof planes. Pathways shall be over areas capable of
supporting fire fighters accessing the roof. Pathways shall
be located in areas with minimal obstructions such as vent
pipes, conduit, or mechanical equipment.
R324.6.2 Setback at ridge. For photovoltaic arrays occupying
not more than 33 percent of the plan view total roof
area, not less than an 18-inch (457 mm) clear set back is
required on both sides of a horizontal ridge. For photovoltaic
arrays occupying more than 33 percent of the plan view
total roof area, not less than a 36-inch (914 mm) clear set
back is required on both sides of a horizontal ridge.
R324.6.2.1 Alternative setback at ridge. Where an automatic
sprinkler system is installed within the dwelling in
accordance with NFPA 13D setbacks at ridges shall
conform with one of the following:
1. For photovoltaic arrays occupying not more than
66 percent of the plan view total roof area, not
less than an 18-inch (457 mm) clear setback is
required on both sides of a horizontal ridge.
2. For photovoltaic arrays occupying more than 66
percent of the plan view total roof area, not less
than a 36-inch (914 mm) clear setback is
required on both sides of a horizontal ridge.
R324.6.4 Emergency escape and rescue opening. Panels
and modules installed on dwellings shall not be placed on
the portion of a roof that is below an emergency escape and
rescue opening. A 36-inch-wide (914 mm) pathway shall be
provided to the emergency escape and rescue opening.
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Carultch said:
Do any other states have statewide standards for how to lay out setbacks and access paths on rooftop solar arrays? If so, where could one find them? Is there any imminent possibility of the California rules becoming a national standard?
Click to expand...

Typically states adopt a modified version of either the IFC or NFPA 1 and they both have PV requirements in them including array layout restrictions. No one is directly referencing the CAL FIRE Guidelines anymore that I know of now that they have been incorporated into the fire codes. California uses a modified version of the IFC.
There are no national building code standards, it's all at the state level.
 
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