Firefighters want new codes to protect them from rooftop solar panels

[SCBO1]

Piedmont, CA web site has them on the 1997 UBC and 2001 CBC, not much code in UBC chapter 13 to enforce in regards to solar.

pc1

 

[Fort]

Piedmont, CA web site has them on the 1997 UBC and 2001 CBC, not much code in UBC chapter 13 to enforce in regards to solar.pc1

Their website is out of date, which is typical.

Every jurisdiction in CA is currently on 2010 CA Building Standards Code.

They may have adopted local amendments, but they have no choice in being on the current codes.

 

[Frank]

For sprinklered buildings testing has shown that smoke and heat vents may result in worse fire outcomes (ie total loss) than for buildings without due to interaction with the sprinklers potentially causing too many heads to open. This is even more pronounced with ESFR heads.

Even for unsprinklered buildings automatic smoke and heat vents will result in the firefighters having a bigger fire to fight when they get there. Increased ventilation results in increased burning rates. Ventilating before having hose lines in place can get you into alot of trouble as the fire will be drawn to the vents. Think of opening the dampers on a woodstove vs tightening them down the burn rate goes way up when the dampers are opened. The same happens in a structure fire when smoke and heat vents open.

Shutting the door to a room on fire will greatly reduce the burning rate, smoke and fire spread even if it is a nonrated hollow wood door. This will greatly increase the time for fire department response and setup.

 

[beach]

The Section 605.11 of the 2013 CFC was modeled after the CAL SFM guideline, Section CFC 605.11.3.3.3 gives smoke ventilation requirements. Guideline: http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/pdf/reports/solarphotovoltaicguideline.pdf

 

[conarb]

For sprinklered buildings testing has shown that smoke and heat vents may result in worse fire outcomes (ie total loss) than for buildings without due to interaction with the sprinklers potentially causing too many heads to open. This is even more pronounced with ESFR heads. Even for unsprinklered buildings automatic smoke and heat vents will result in the firefighters having a bigger fire to fight when they get there. Increased ventilation results in increased burning rates. Ventilating before having hose lines in place can get you into alot of trouble as the fire will be drawn to the vents. Think of opening the dampers on a woodstove vs tightening them down the burn rate goes way up when the dampers are opened. The same happens in a structure fire when smoke and heat vents open.

Shutting the door to a room on fire will greatly reduce the burning rate, smoke and fire spread even if it is a nonrated hollow wood door. This will greatly increase the time for fire department response and setup.

I've never understood why they are allowed to do that, it's even worse than putting sprinkler heads over ranges.

 

[David Henderson]

Systems with micro inverters (enphase system) will quit generating power when the main panel is turned off, other systems need a rooftop DC disconnect so there will not be any power source in the conduit.

 

[peach]

Systems with micro inverters (enphase system) will quit generating power when the main panel is turned off, other systems need a rooftop DC disconnect so there will not be any power source in the conduit.

assuming they are installed and inspected correctly. I think the firefighters are right... just like they have modified (in some areas anyway) how they deal with car accidents involving hybrids/full electric cars.