Re: [RE-wrenches] 2018 Residential Code Fire Setbacks

2023-06-07 Thread Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches 
If you read the section carefully, it reads on both sides of "a" horizontal
ridge. It does not read "each" or "all'" horizontal ridges. I know that
this interpretation has worked in some jurisdictions in Florida. On many
hip roofs, there could be several horizontal ridges. It could be
interpreted or rationalized that the intent is both sides of the *highest*
horizontal ridge.

Unfortunately, it's rare for an AHJ around here to enforce fire setbacks at
all, so most contractors go right up to the ridge without a second thought.
I've seen my share of panels over the ridge even. The Florida Building Code
in effect now requires AHJs to enforce setbacks as they are included in the
code, but most of them never get on the roof and they do inspections by
having the contractor sign away their first born via affidavit saying that
we did what is required. Commercial work is different. Usually, the fire
marshall is involved in these plan reviews and inspections.

Long story short, we thought it was going to be a nightmare here, but as we
got to know each jurisdiction's wants, we just complied and it all worked
out. It helps to have a menu of different panel lengths to fit multiple
rows when it's a close call.

Jason Szumlanski
Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group
NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP)
Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956


On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 3:02 PM rick--- via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Wrenches,
>
> Looking for some guidance on setbacks at ridge for PV systems. The 2018
> code states the following:
>
> 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 setback 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 setback is required on both sides of a
> horizontal ridge.
>
> In reading this
> article
> put out by Ipsun Solar regarding the setbacks, they state that if there’s
> no PV on the opposite side of the roof no setback is required, although
> their diagram shows a 12” setback. I don’t see any exceptions in the code
> that indicate that. What’re you all doing for ridge setbacks?
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> rick brown
> SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC
> Electrical & Solar Contracting Services
> www.SolShineEnergy.com
> Roanoke, VA
> Office: 540.235.3095
> Mobile: 540.808.9502
>
> VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660
> VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762
> VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21
>
> [image: solshine-01-18-17 copy.jpg]
>
> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] 2018 Residential Code Fire Setbacks

2023-06-07 Thread August Goers via RE-wrenches 
It looks like Virginia is indeed on the amended 2018 version of the IRC.
I've found that UpCodes is pretty cool (normally I just use the California
codes since that's where we work):

https://up.codes/codes/virginia

I think that article that Rick pointed to was talking about the 3' pathways
required from the roof edge to the ridge, not the 18" setbacks from the
ridge. Here's the pathway screenshot:

[image: image.png]

August



On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 2:14 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Rick:
>
>
>
> I think this is a state by state issue.  From this article
> 
> :
>
>
>
> “Building codes vary from state to state and between jurisdictions.”
>
>
>
> In all jusrisdictions in my part of California, the local Fire Marshal is
> the final arbiter on what is allowed. Some building departments provide
> specifications for setbacks and some require I submit a plan for review to
> the Fire Marshal.
>
>
>
> If you are seeing conflicting requirements, reach out to the Fire Marshal
> and the building department.  What I get away with will have little bearing
> on how your local officials may rule.
>
>
>
> I have obtained variances for being a few inches short of the required
> distance or if the pathway that the setback would create is otherwise
> inaccesble due to lack of safe ladder-set location.  This was accomplished
> by approaching the Fire Marshall with a clear drawing and good logic.
>
>
>
> I hope this helps,
>
>
>
> William Miller
>
>
>
> PS:  The article you cite reads like the world, as we know it, will end
> with the adoption of setbacks in Virginia.  I felt the same way years ago
> when California adopted setbacks, but I am still alive.  Sure, some
> projects allow less PV on a roof now, but I have to rely on experts to
> inform me what is safe for firefighters because I have no expertise on the
> issue.
>
>
>
> WM
>
>
>
> Miller Solar
>
> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
>
> 805-438-5600
>
> www.millersolar.com
>
> CA Lic. 773985
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *rick--- via RE-wrenches
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 7, 2023 12:01 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Cc:* r...@solshineenergy.com
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] 2018 Residential Code Fire Setbacks
>
>
>
> Wrenches,
>
>
>
> Looking for some guidance on setbacks at ridge for PV systems. The 2018
> code states the following:
>
>
> 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 setback 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 setback is required on both sides of a
> horizontal ridge.
>
>
>
> In reading this
> article
> put out by Ipsun Solar regarding the setbacks, they state that if there’s
> no PV on the opposite side of the roof no setback is required, although
> their diagram shows a 12” setback. I don’t see any exceptions in the code
> that indicate that. What’re you all doing for ridge setbacks?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
>
>
> rick brown
> SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC
> Electrical & Solar Contracting Services
> www.SolShineEnergy.com
> Roanoke, VA
>
> Office: 540.235.3095
> Mobile: 540.808.9502
>
> VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660
> VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762
> VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21
>
>
> [image: solshine-01-18-17 copy.jpg]
>
>
> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] 2018 Residential Code Fire Setbacks

2023-06-07 Thread William Miller via RE-wrenches 
Rick:



I think this is a state by state issue.  From this article
:



“Building codes vary from state to state and between jurisdictions.”



In all jusrisdictions in my part of California, the local Fire Marshal is
the final arbiter on what is allowed. Some building departments provide
specifications for setbacks and some require I submit a plan for review to
the Fire Marshal.



If you are seeing conflicting requirements, reach out to the Fire Marshal
and the building department.  What I get away with will have little bearing
on how your local officials may rule.



I have obtained variances for being a few inches short of the required
distance or if the pathway that the setback would create is otherwise
inaccesble due to lack of safe ladder-set location.  This was accomplished
by approaching the Fire Marshall with a clear drawing and good logic.



I hope this helps,



William Miller



PS:  The article you cite reads like the world, as we know it, will end
with the adoption of setbacks in Virginia.  I felt the same way years ago
when California adopted setbacks, but I am still alive.  Sure, some
projects allow less PV on a roof now, but I have to rely on experts to
inform me what is safe for firefighters because I have no expertise on the
issue.



WM



Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com

CA Lic. 773985





*From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
Behalf Of *rick--- via RE-wrenches
*Sent:* Wednesday, June 7, 2023 12:01 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Cc:* r...@solshineenergy.com
*Subject:* [RE-wrenches] 2018 Residential Code Fire Setbacks



Wrenches,



Looking for some guidance on setbacks at ridge for PV systems. The 2018
code states the following:


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 setback 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 setback is required on both sides of a
horizontal ridge.



In reading this
article
put out by Ipsun Solar regarding the setbacks, they state that if there’s
no PV on the opposite side of the roof no setback is required, although
their diagram shows a 12” setback. I don’t see any exceptions in the code
that indicate that. What’re you all doing for ridge setbacks?



Thanks,





rick brown
SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC
Electrical & Solar Contracting Services
www.SolShineEnergy.com
Roanoke, VA

Office: 540.235.3095
Mobile: 540.808.9502

VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660
VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762
VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21


[image: solshine-01-18-17 copy.jpg]
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Re: [RE-wrenches] 2018 Residential Code Fire Setbacks

2023-06-07 Thread Blake Gleason via RE-wrenches 
18" setback at the ridge, assuming <33%.  Doesn't matter what's on the
other side of the ridge.

For hips (not ridges), we are usually allowed to take advantage of the
"other side" as long as there is a 36" path in total (eg, 6" on one side of
the hip, and 30" on the other side).

Blake

On Wed, Jun 7, 2023, 12:02 PM rick--- via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Wrenches,
>
> Looking for some guidance on setbacks at ridge for PV systems. The 2018
> code states the following:
>
> 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 setback 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 setback is required on both sides of a
> horizontal ridge.
>
> In reading this
> article
> put out by Ipsun Solar regarding the setbacks, they state that if there’s
> no PV on the opposite side of the roof no setback is required, although
> their diagram shows a 12” setback. I don’t see any exceptions in the code
> that indicate that. What’re you all doing for ridge setbacks?
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> rick brown
> SolShine Energy Alternatives, LLC
> Electrical & Solar Contracting Services
> www.SolShineEnergy.com
> Roanoke, VA
> Office: 540.235.3095
> Mobile: 540.808.9502
>
> VA Class A Contractor Lic# 2705147660
> VA Master Electrician Lic# 2710062762
> VA Alternative Energy Systems Installer
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional 110112-21
>
> [image: solshine-01-18-17 copy.jpg]
>
> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
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