Is a flat roof readily accessible?

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verrix

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Good day,

I am going to install a pv system on a flat roof of a commercial building.
The roof is reachable through a stair inside the building.
Should I consider this roof readily accessible or not?
I ask for it because I think a raceway for the home run of string wires is necessary (according to art.690.31(A)) but I was told that the roof is not readily accessible thus I do not need to install the raceway.
Thank in advance for your answers.
 
Sounds readily accessible to me

Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being
reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections
without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite
to actions such as to use tools, to climb over or remove
obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.
Click to expand...
 
The 2017 NEC has clarified it more

Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being
reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without
requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to take
actions such as to use tools (other than keys), to climb over or
under, to remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders,
and so forth.
Click to expand...
 
verrix said:
Good day,

I am going to install a pv system on a flat roof of a commercial building.
The roof is reachable through a stair inside the building.
Should I consider this roof readily accessible or not?
I ask for it because I think a raceway for the home run of string wires is necessary (according to art.690.31(A)) but I was told that the roof is not readily accessible thus I do not need to install the raceway.
Thank in advance for your answers.
Click to expand...

According to NEC 2014 690.15(A) a roof is not a readily accessible location.
 
ggunn said:
According to NEC 2014 690.15(A) a roof is not a readily accessible location.
Click to expand...

A roof itself can be readily accessible, provided that you can get to it with no tools other than keys. If you need a portable ladder to get through a hatch, or a walking plank because it is too steep to walk directly on the roof, it isn't. If you only need stairs, permanent ladders, and possibly keys, it still is readily accessible.

The parts of 690 discussing PV inverters on a roof, still apply whether the roof is readily accessible or not. It does not define the roof as not readily accessible.
 
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