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Firefighters want new codes to protect them from rooftop solar panels

Just a new monkey on a rock, and they just need to get educated about the systems and codes in place.
 
2012 IFC adresses this issue see Section 605.11

Again the news media has not full researched story and seeks to alarm
 
605.11 Solar photovoltaic power systems.

Solar photovoltaic power systems shall be installed in accordance with Sections 605.11.1 through 605.11.4, the International Building Code and NFPA 70.

Exception: Detached, nonhabitable Group U structures including, but not limited to, parking shade structures, carports, solar trellises and similar structures shall not be subject to the requirements of this section.
 
Missed a little I see

605.11.1 Marking.

Marking is required on interior and exterior direct-current (DC) conduit, enclosures, raceways, cable assemblies, junction boxes, combiner boxes and disconnects.

605.11.1.1 Materials.

The materials used for marking shall be reflective, weather resistant and suitable for the environment. Marking as required in Sections 605.11.1.2 through 605.11.1.4 shall have all letters capitalized with a minimum height of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) white on red background.

605.11.1.2 Marking content.

The marking shall contain the words "WARNING: PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE.”

605.11.1.3 Main service disconnect.

The marking shall be placed adjacent to the main service disconnect in a location clearly visible from the location where the disconnect is operated.

605.11.1.4 Location of marking.

Marking shall be placed on interior and exterior DC conduit, raceways, enclosures and cable assemblies every 10 feet (3048 mm), within 1 foot (305 mm) of turns or bends and within 1 foot (305 mm) above and below penetrations of roof/ceiling assemblies, walls or barriers.
 
How will the firefighters vent the roof safely if the panels can not be shut down? Roofs that are completely covered in panels and conduits carrying high voltage do not leave much room to cut a hole in the roof to ventilate the heat and smoke from the fire below.
 
cda said:
Horizontal ???
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Perhaps on a home BUT not on a 300,000 sq. ft. warehouse as in the NJ fire. This warehouse had a lot of freezers inside, so cutting a hole where the fire was below was critical to venting.

Maybe buildings with ESFR sprinkler protection is not as critical to vent since the amount of smoke and heat should be less. But not all buildings have this type of sprinkler protection.
 
Insurance Engineer said:
Perhaps on a home BUT not on a 300,000 sq. ft. warehouse as in the NJ fire. This warehouse had a lot of freezers inside, so cutting a hole where the fire was below was critical to venting. Maybe buildings with ESFR sprinkler protection is not as critical to vent since the amount of smoke and heat should be less. But not all buildings have this type of sprinkler protection.
Click to expand...
Did NJ start on the roof??

If so already ventilated

Plus nist has done some ventilation testing that should help
 
cda said:
Did NJ start on the roof??If so already ventilated

Plus nist has done some ventilation testing that should help
Click to expand...
Do not know if you are a firefighter, but SOP is to cut a hole in the roof to vent the fire. Not sure why the NJ building did not have heat and smoke venting, perhaps it was because of all the freezers in the building. Still we have a lot buildings without smoke and heat venting that have solar panels on the roof.

Perhaps the answer is if the roof does not have smoke vents no panels on the roof. Now what would take to get that into the codes for all new and existing buildings? :eek:

Not sure where the fire started in the NJ fire inside or on the roof. The videos show a well involved fire with the roof insulation.
 
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Leave it to FoxNews to fail to provide accurate information. So not surprised. Had they bothered to check they'd have easily learned of the code changes that laready have and will soon be implemented. Let me guess... somehow it's all Obama's fault?
 
JBI said:
Leave it to FoxNews to fail to provide accurate information. So not surprised. Had they bothered to check they'd have easily learned of the code changes that laready have and will soon be implemented. Let me guess... somehow it's all Obama's fault?
Click to expand...
This kinda **** doesn't belong in here.
 
JBI said:
Leave it to FoxNews to fail to provide accurate information. So not surprised. Had they bothered to check they'd have easily learned of the code changes that laready have and will soon be implemented. Let me guess... somehow it's all Obama's fault?
Click to expand...
rshuey said:
This kinda **** doesn't belong in here.
Click to expand...
Other than the last statement, this does actually speak to the thread. It started from a news article, and this post is exactly on track with how our current culture of media is being handled. It's not about truth its about entertainment. Journalism should come with good research, but now it seems to be all sensationalism.
 
Insurance Engineer said:
Do not know if you are a firefighter, but SOP is to cut a hole in the roof to vent the fire. Not sure why the NJ building did not have heat and smoke venting, perhaps it was because of all the freezers in the building. Still we have a lot buildings without smoke and heat venting that have solar panels on the roof. Perhaps the answer is if the roof does not have smoke vents no panels on the roof. Now what would take to get that into the codes for all new and existing buildings? :eek:

Not sure where the fire started in the NJ fire inside or on the roof. The videos show a well involved fire with the roof insulation.
Click to expand...
I have been in that building it is 90% of the building is a meat freezer the rest is b use.
 
Here in California we have had for several years a State Fire Marshall Guidelines manual which lays out how to install photovoltaic arrays on commercial and residential buildings to give fire fighters 1. Aisleways to to travel 2. Opportunities to vent based on distance. There are other safety related issues in the guidelines. I gave my copy away to one of the Fire Plan Checkers a couple of years ago. Its worth taking a look at.
 
While section 605.11 of the 2012 IFC covers solar photovoltaic power systems and addresses the safety issues addressed above, Washington State decided not to adopt this section. This means if a local fire department wants to have some protection for their personal, they have to have convince their local jurisdiction representatives to include this section of the IFC. For one jurisdiction, Bremerton, this request was turned down.
 
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