Fire requiments roof

[jjavier]

Hi

In Maine our client is doing permits with the AHJ, (city) and they said that there are not requirements for fire protection (pathwalks, maximun array area, etc) In the fire code I saw that there are many fire requiments, and, for example we don´t have enough space to access the firemen to the ventilation system, axis access, etc
I am not sure how works, if we have problems in a future if the fire department do a visit and said that is not happy. Or with the city licence everything is ok, there are not this requirements

 

[gadfly56]

Hi

In Maine our client is doing permits with the AHJ, (city) and they said that there are not requirements for fire protection (pathwalks, maximun array area, etc) In the fire code I saw that there are many fire requiments, and, for example we don´t have enough space to access the firemen to the ventilation system, axis access, etc
I am not sure how works, if we have problems in a future if the fire department do a visit and said that is not happy. Or with the city licence everything is ok, there are not this requirements

The really ugly potential here is that you get your drawing approved by the city and then at final the fire subcode inspector says you have to change it. There's nothing you can do except change it; the city is not liable for failing to flag potential code violations when you submitted your permits.

 

[jjavier]

The really ugly potential here is that you get your drawing approved by the city and then at final the fire subcode inspector says you have to change it. There's nothing you can do except change it; the city is not liable for failing to flag potential code violations when you submitted your permits.

Then fire inspector will come when we finish the job? Or we need their approval first?

 

[ggunn]

Then fire inspector will come when we finish the job? Or we need their approval first?

Usually the AHJ can tell you whether or not they enforce fire code. In our area, some do and some don't, and some do for commercial installations but not for residential ones. I think that eventually they all will for all rooftop installations.

 

[jaggedben]

... There's nothing you can do except change it; the city is not liable for failing to flag potential code violations when you submitted your permits.

This statement irks me. I mean, it's one thing if your plans are vauge and don't say anything, then clearly it's still your responsibility. It's another thing if you put in bold print 'No fire access paths will be provided.' or some such on your plan set and then they go and put a stamp of approval on it.

I mean, why do we submit plans to jurisdictions for approval in the first place? Clearly not everything is shown and specified on a planset, but to the extent it is it should be reviewed and the plans should not be approved if the AHJ thinks things are wrong. I appreciate AHJs that do not require planset review at all for smaller PV projects (i.e. residential). I also appreciate (not quite as much) those that do a thorough review and kick it back a few times before approval, so long as they then don't issue any corrections for items that conform to the plan. It's the ones who can't decide which they are that I can't stand.

My advice to the OP: Get it in writing that they don't require fire paths. Or, call the fire department and ask them if the building department has consulted them. Just realize that the latter runs the risk of creating a requirement that may not already be enforced.