Nec 110.21

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SAP

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We had a Inspecter say that he wants to see documentation that the labels (stickers) we are using meet ANSI Z535 , it's in the code has a informational note . What exactly is the informational note is it a shall comply
 
Well, an informational note is not a requirement. But as the AHJ, he get's to decide what's 'effective', and if he wants to follow the suggestion in the informational note, that's pretty much his right.
 
Informational notes are not part of the code and the code does not require that the labels meet any ANSI requirements, it only points to that as a guideline. But AHJs can ask for you to mount a squirrel tail on the array if they want.
I would:


  • Talk to the AHJ about the purpose of Informational Notes.
  • Show the AHJ catalogs of industry standard labels that are not ANSI compliant. I think the UL listing used is UL969.
  • Are compliant labels available? Ask the AHJ for a source, if they don’t know if they are available how can they expect you to use them?
  • If the labels that they want are not readily available or for some reason excessively expensive you can point that out and suggest an industry standard alternative.
 
The specified label standard is pretty much about the colors used, the type face, and the structure of the contents (e.g. alert, risk/outcome, how to avoid the outcome).

In my opinion they want a commercially printed label and don't want to see a paper label printed on a home ink jet or the more typical 'Sharpie on duct tape'.
 
We bought theses labels from Consolidated electrical distributor(CED) "these labels were not printed on our label maker" these were legitimate labels. It took them 4 days to give me the spec sheet I'm guessing because they were never ask for it before, just like I was never ask by a Inspecter if these stickers are gonna last the lifetime of the PV array, we emailed the spec sheet to the head Inspecter, he passed us ,but on further installs he wants the foil type labels, on top of that he wants a plaque for the (rapid shut down) no stickers
 
We don't even get all that durable of a "nameplate" on a lot of equipment anymore.

An individual inspector is seldom "the AHJ", they are just a representative of the AHJ. That one individual does not make the rules, his employer does, that individual's job is to see the rules are being followed. If that individual's employer has rules not in the NEC - they should have a record of such rules somewhere. It is not right or fair to make your own rules as an inspector - though it does happen.
 
kwired said:
We don't even get all that durable of a "nameplate" on a lot of equipment anymore.

An individual inspector is seldom "the AHJ", they are just a representative of the AHJ. That one individual does not make the rules, his employer does, that individual's job is to see the rules are being followed. If that individual's employer has rules not in the NEC - they should have a record of such rules somewhere. It is not right or fair to make your own rules as an inspector - though it does happen.
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All the time and twice on Sundays. When faced with this I try education first. If that does not work and the inspector seems to be requiring something outside of what the building department is asking for I will contact someone higher up. It can be effective but it can also result in the inspector coming down on every little detail they were not calling out before. For something like this I would just note what the AHJ wants and do that next time I were working in their area.
 
pv_n00b said:
All the time and twice on Sundays. When faced with this I try education first. If that does not work and the inspector seems to be requiring something outside of what the building department is asking for I will contact someone higher up. It can be effective but it can also result in the inspector coming down on every little detail they were not calling out before. For something like this I would just note what the AHJ wants and do that next time I were working in their area.
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For them to call out every little detail - they have to know those details. If they are indeed making up code as they go along you may very well find they don't know those details as well as they think they know them.

If you have a disagreement on interpretation of something, hopefully they are willing to take further look at things if you are polite enough about it and give them reasonable information on how you see it. A good inspector will go to his peers or even superiors when such an issue comes up before coming to a final answer for the AHJ he represents.
 
SAP said:
We bought theses labels from Consolidated electrical distributor(CED) "these labels were not printed on our label maker" these were legitimate labels. It took them 4 days to give me the spec sheet I'm guessing because they were never ask for it before, just like I was never ask by a Inspecter if these stickers are gonna last the lifetime of the PV array, we emailed the spec sheet to the head Inspecter, he passed us ,but on further installs he wants the foil type labels, on top of that he wants a plaque for the (rapid shut down) no stickers
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Since I have no information on how you have achieved the rapid shutdown and the environment you are at I figured a code section or 2 might produce light on he's making code up issue or an interpretation.

What is sufficiently durable? Inside maybe paper labels - outside plastic plaques? or ANSI Z535.4 Safety Labels Description -- Adhesive Backed Polyester Labels have been designed to comply with ANSI Z535.4 2002 & 2007 Product Safety Label Standards. Labels are screen printed with UV resistant inks and over laminated with Clear Polyester to ensure a high degree of chemical, abrasion and heat resistance. If your labeling fits this criteria I'd say you have an argument.
Identified? Generally is already labeled as part of the equipment so no extra identification is necessary
but 690.56 has clear language having the option of a permanent plaque or directory as requirement but still leaves room to have a minimum of ANSI Z535.4

110.21 Marking
( B) Field-Applied Hazard Markings. Where caution, warning, or danger signs or labels are required by this Code, the labels shall meet the following requirements:
(3) The label shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
690.12 Rapid Shutdown of PV Systems on Buildings
PV system circuits installed on or in buildings shall include a rapid shutdown function that controls specific conductors in accordance with 690.12(1) through (5) as follows.
(5) Equipment that performs the rapid shutdown shall be listed and identified.
690.56 Identification of Power Sources
(C) Facilities with Rapid Shutdown. Buildings or structures with both utility service and a PV system, complying with 690.12, shall have a permanent plaque or directory including the following wording:
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH RAPID SHUTDOWN
The plaque or directory shall be reflective, with all letters capitalized and having a minimum height of 9.5 mm (3⁄8 in.), in white on red background.
 
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