This presentation details out fire safety issues with small PV systems, and related safety best practices. Several links are available directing to more detailed reports. For more similar free resources on renewable energy please visit www.redocs.co

1. Improving Permit
Review and Approval
for Small Solar
Photovoltaic (PV)
Systems
Fire Safety
Requirements
November 1, 2012
Presented by:
Stuart Tom, ICC/LABC
Kevin Reinertson, OSFM
Ron LaPlante, DSA

4. Fire Safety – Small SolarFire Safety – Small Solar
Photovoltaic (PV) SystemsPhotovoltaic (PV) Systems
ObjectiveObjective
To provide building and fire officials withTo provide building and fire officials with
an awareness of fire safety provisions foran awareness of fire safety provisions for
photovoltaic systems, so that informedphotovoltaic systems, so that informed
decisions to mitigate potential hazards aredecisions to mitigate potential hazards are
made to ensure operational safety duringmade to ensure operational safety during
an emergency, reduce fire hazards andan emergency, reduce fire hazards and
minimize economic impacts.minimize economic impacts.

6. Fire Safety – California SolarFire Safety – California Solar
Permitting GuidebookPermitting Guidebook
 The California Solar Permitting Guidebook wasThe California Solar Permitting Guidebook was
designed to help local governments and theirdesigned to help local governments and their
permitting agencies improve permitting of smallpermitting agencies improve permitting of small
solar PV systems.. It is also designed to helpsolar PV systems.. It is also designed to help
building owners and solar installers navigatebuilding owners and solar installers navigate
permitting as efficiently as possible.permitting as efficiently as possible.
 The guideline includes current fire safetyThe guideline includes current fire safety
provisions and provides clarification of certainprovisions and provides clarification of certain
fire safety provisions not specifically addressedfire safety provisions not specifically addressed
in the California Building Standards Code.in the California Building Standards Code.

7. Fire Safety – California SolarFire Safety – California Solar
Permitting GuidebookPermitting Guidebook
ProvisionsProvisions
Fire Classification RequirementsFire Classification Requirements
Fire Service ApprovalFire Service Approval
Solar PV panels used as roofing on anSolar PV panels used as roofing on an
independent (stand-alone) structureindependent (stand-alone) structure
Solar PV panels installed as a part of aSolar PV panels installed as a part of a
building’s roof structurebuilding’s roof structure
Solar PV systems installed on gradeSolar PV systems installed on grade
Area, height, and story limitationsArea, height, and story limitations

8. Fire Safety – California SolarFire Safety – California Solar
Permitting GuidebookPermitting Guidebook
ProvisionsProvisions (continued)(continued)
Location from property line and adjacentLocation from property line and adjacent
buildingsbuildings
Fire proofing of structural supportFire proofing of structural support
Rooftop structuresRooftop structures
Fire sprinklersFire sprinklers
Signage/markingSignage/marking
Other fire safety requirements or guidelinesOther fire safety requirements or guidelines

9. Fire Safety – California SolarFire Safety – California Solar
Permitting GuidebookPermitting Guidebook
ProvisionsProvisions (continued)(continued)
Coordination between the BuildingCoordination between the Building
Department and the Fire AuthorityDepartment and the Fire Authority
Example MOU (memorandum ofExample MOU (memorandum of
understanding) a template agreementunderstanding) a template agreement
between two local agencies to coordinatebetween two local agencies to coordinate
permit review approval and inspectionpermit review approval and inspection
between a local building department and abetween a local building department and a
local fire servicelocal fire service

11. Fire Safety – Office of the StateFire Safety – Office of the State
Fire Marshal’s PV GuidelineFire Marshal’s PV Guideline
 The SFM guideline was developed with fire safetyThe SFM guideline was developed with fire safety
as the principal objective. The solar photovoltaicas the principal objective. The solar photovoltaic
industry had been presented with certainindustry had been presented with certain
limitations in roof installations due to firefightinglimitations in roof installations due to firefighting
suppression techniques.suppression techniques.
 The intent of the guideline is to provide the solarThe intent of the guideline is to provide the solar
photovoltaic industry with information that willphotovoltaic industry with information that will
aid in the designing, building, and installation ofaid in the designing, building, and installation of
solar photovoltaic systems in a manner thatsolar photovoltaic systems in a manner that
should meet the objectives of both the solarshould meet the objectives of both the solar
photovoltaic industry and the Fire Service.photovoltaic industry and the Fire Service.

12. Fire Safety – Office of the StateFire Safety – Office of the State
Fire Marshal’s PV GuidelinesFire Marshal’s PV Guidelines
ProvisionsProvisions
Published final draft April 2008Published final draft April 2008
Adoption of this guideline is optionalAdoption of this guideline is optional
Guideline does not apply unless specificallyGuideline does not apply unless specifically
adopted by local ordinance by a localadopted by local ordinance by a local
enforcing agencyenforcing agency

13. Fire Safety – Office of the StateFire Safety – Office of the State
Fire Marshal’s PV GuidelinesFire Marshal’s PV Guidelines
ProvisionsProvisions (continued)(continued)
 Marking/SignageMarking/Signage
 Access, Pathways And Smoke VentilationAccess, Pathways And Smoke Ventilation
 Location Of Direct Current ConductorsLocation Of Direct Current Conductors
 Non-Habitable BuildingsNon-Habitable Buildings
 Ground Mounted Photovoltaic ArraysGround Mounted Photovoltaic Arrays

15. 2013 California Building, Fire2013 California Building, Fire
and Residential Code and PVand Residential Code and PV
 2013 California Building, Residential and2013 California Building, Residential and
Fire Code (Based on the 2012 EditionFire Code (Based on the 2012 Edition
International Building, Residential and FireInternational Building, Residential and Fire
Code (IBC, IRC, IFC))Code (IBC, IRC, IFC))
 2012 IFC Section 605.11 developed and2012 IFC Section 605.11 developed and
proposed by the Office of the State Fireproposed by the Office of the State Fire
Marshal and the National Association ofMarshal and the National Association of
State Fire Marshal’s derived from the SFMState Fire Marshal’s derived from the SFM
PV GuidelinesPV Guidelines

16. 2013 California Building, Fire2013 California Building, Fire
and Residential Code and PVand Residential Code and PV
 Proposed modifications for the 2013Proposed modifications for the 2013
California Building Standards Codes:California Building Standards Codes:
• Area, height, and story limitationsArea, height, and story limitations
CBC Section 503.1CBC Section 503.1
• Types of construction CBC Section 602.1Types of construction CBC Section 602.1
• Fire sprinkler protection Exempt locationsFire sprinkler protection Exempt locations
CBC/CFC Section 903.3.1.1.1CBC/CFC Section 903.3.1.1.1
• Roof assemblies and rooftop structures FireRoof assemblies and rooftop structures Fire
Classification Requirements CBC Chapter 15Classification Requirements CBC Chapter 15
and CRC Chapter 9and CRC Chapter 9

17. 2013 California Building, Fire2013 California Building, Fire
and Residential Code and PVand Residential Code and PV
 Proposed modifications (continued):Proposed modifications (continued):
• 2012 IFC Section 605.11 to be incorporated2012 IFC Section 605.11 to be incorporated
into the 2013 California Building Section 3111into the 2013 California Building Section 3111
and 2013 California Residential Code Sectionand 2013 California Residential Code Section
R331R331

18. Fire Safety – PV ResourcesFire Safety – PV Resources
 California Solar Permitting GuidebookCalifornia Solar Permitting Guidebook
http://http://
osfm.fire.ca.gov/pdf/firemarshal/Californiaosfm.fire.ca.gov/pdf/firemarshal/California
_Solar_Permitting_Guidebook.pdf_Solar_Permitting_Guidebook.pdf
 SFM Solar Photovoltaic InstallationSFM Solar Photovoltaic Installation
GuidelineGuideline
http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/training/pdf/photohttp://osfm.fire.ca.gov/training/pdf/photo
voltaics/solarphotovoltaicguideline.pdfvoltaics/solarphotovoltaicguideline.pdf

19. Fire Safety – PV ResourcesFire Safety – PV Resources
 On the State Fire Marshal’s Office website you can findOn the State Fire Marshal’s Office website you can find
the “the “Solar Photovoltaic GuidelinesSolar Photovoltaic Guidelines” with two training” with two training
programs:programs:
• ““The Fundamentals of Photovoltaics for the FireThe Fundamentals of Photovoltaics for the Fire
ServiceService” an awareness level training program that” an awareness level training program that
you can deliver right now to your firefighting staffyou can deliver right now to your firefighting staff
• ““Fire Operations for Photovoltaic EmergenciesFire Operations for Photovoltaic Emergencies””
an operational level proposed FSTEP student manualan operational level proposed FSTEP student manual
• http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/training/photovoltaics.phphttp://osfm.fire.ca.gov/training/photovoltaics.php
 Both classes provide firefighters with the essentialBoth classes provide firefighters with the essential
background information they need to make informedbackground information they need to make informed
decisions on the fire ground. Instructor Training CD'sdecisions on the fire ground. Instructor Training CD's
available through the SFT Bookstore.available through the SFT Bookstore.

20. Fire Safety – PV ResourcesFire Safety – PV Resources
 Firefighter Safety and PhotovoltaicFirefighter Safety and Photovoltaic
Installations Research ProjectInstallations Research Project
Underwriters Laboratories Inc.Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Issue Date: November 2011Issue Date: November 2011
 Fire Fighter Safety and EmergencyFire Fighter Safety and Emergency
Response for Solar Power SystemsResponse for Solar Power Systems
NFPA – Fire Protection ResearchNFPA – Fire Protection Research
Foundation Issue Date: May 2010Foundation Issue Date: May 2010

21. Thank You !!Thank You !!
 For further information;For further information;
 For additional copies of this handout;For additional copies of this handout;
 For a copy of this PowerPointFor a copy of this PowerPoint
presentation;presentation;
 Contact:Contact:
Osama Younan at (213) 482-7407Osama Younan at (213) 482-7407

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