The document discusses fire safety requirements for small solar photovoltaic systems in California. It summarizes the California Solar Permitting Guidebook, which provides fire safety provisions and clarification to help streamline the permitting process. It also discusses the Office of the State Fire Marshal's PV Guidelines and how fire safety provisions were incorporated into the 2013 California Building and Fire Codes. Resources on fire safety for solar PV systems are provided, including training programs for firefighters and research reports.
Repurposing LNG terminals for Hydrogen Ammonia: Feasibility and Cost Saving
Solar PV fire safety
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
2.
3.
4. Fire Safety – Small Solar
Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
Objective
To provide building and fire officials with
an awareness of fire safety provisions for
photovoltaic systems, so that informed
decisions to mitigate potential hazards are
made to ensure operational safety during
an emergency, reduce fire hazards and
minimize economic impacts.
5.
6. Fire Safety – California Solar
Permitting Guidebook
The California Solar Permitting Guidebook was
designed to help local governments and their
permitting agencies improve permitting of small
solar PV systems.. It is also designed to help
building owners and solar installers navigate
permitting as efficiently as possible.
The guideline includes current fire safety
provisions and provides clarification of certain
fire safety provisions not specifically addressed
in the California Building Standards Code.
7. Fire Safety – California Solar
Permitting Guidebook
Provisions
Fire Classification Requirements
Fire Service Approval
Solar PV panels used as roofing on an
independent (stand-alone) structure
Solar PV panels installed as a part of a
building’s roof structure
Solar PV systems installed on grade
Area, height, and story limitations
8. Fire Safety – California Solar
Permitting Guidebook
Provisions (continued)
Location from property line and adjacent
buildings
Fire proofing of structural support
Rooftop structures
Fire sprinklers
Signage/marking
Other fire safety requirements or guidelines
9. Fire Safety – California Solar
Permitting Guidebook
Provisions (continued)
Coordination between the Building
Department and the Fire Authority
Example MOU (memorandum of
understanding) a template agreement
between two local agencies to coordinate
permit review approval and inspection
between a local building department and a
local fire service
10.
11. Fire Safety – Office of the State
Fire Marshal’s PV Guideline
The SFM guideline was developed with fire safety
as the principal objective. The solar photovoltaic
industry had been presented with certain
limitations in roof installations due to firefighting
suppression techniques.
The intent of the guideline is to provide the solar
photovoltaic industry with information that will
aid in the designing, building, and installation of
solar photovoltaic systems in a manner that
should meet the objectives of both the solar
photovoltaic industry and the Fire Service.
12. Fire Safety – Office of the State
Fire Marshal’s PV Guidelines
Provisions
Published final draft April 2008
Adoption of this guideline is optional
Guideline does not apply unless specifically
adopted by local ordinance by a local
enforcing agency
13. Fire Safety – Office of the State
Fire Marshal’s PV Guidelines
Provisions (continued)
Marking/Signage
Access, Pathways And Smoke Ventilation
Location Of Direct Current Conductors
Non-Habitable Buildings
Ground Mounted Photovoltaic Arrays
14.
15. 2013 California Building, Fire
and Residential Code and PV
2013 California Building, Residential and
Fire Code (Based on the 2012 Edition
International Building, Residential and Fire
Code (IBC, IRC, IFC))
2012 IFC Section 605.11 developed and
proposed by the Office of the State Fire
Marshal and the National Association of
State Fire Marshal’s derived from the SFM
PV Guidelines
16. 2013 California Building, Fire
and Residential Code and PV
Proposed modifications for the 2013
California Building Standards Codes:
• Area, height, and story limitations
CBC Section 503.1
• Types of construction CBC Section 602.1
• Fire sprinkler protection Exempt locations
CBC/CFC Section 903.3.1.1.1
• Roof assemblies and rooftop structures Fire
Classification Requirements CBC Chapter 15
and CRC Chapter 9
17. 2013 California Building, Fire
and Residential Code and PV
Proposed modifications (continued):
• 2012 IFC Section 605.11 to be incorporated
into the 2013 California Building Section 3111
and 2013 California Residential Code Section
R331
18. Fire Safety – PV Resources
California Solar Permitting Guidebook
http://
osfm.fire.ca.gov/pdf/firemarshal/California
_Solar_Permitting_Guidebook.pdf
SFM Solar Photovoltaic Installation
Guideline
http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/training/pdf/photo
voltaics/solarphotovoltaicguideline.pdf
19. Fire Safety – PV Resources
On the State Fire Marshal’s Office website you can find
the “Solar Photovoltaic Guidelines” with two training
programs:
• “The Fundamentals of Photovoltaics for the Fire
Service” an awareness level training program that
you can deliver right now to your firefighting staff
• “Fire Operations for Photovoltaic Emergencies”
an operational level proposed FSTEP student manual
• http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/training/photovoltaics.php
Both classes provide firefighters with the essential
background information they need to make informed
decisions on the fire ground. Instructor Training CD's
available through the SFT Bookstore.
20. Fire Safety – PV Resources
Firefighter Safety and Photovoltaic
Installations Research Project
Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Issue Date: November 2011
Fire Fighter Safety and Emergency
Response for Solar Power Systems
NFPA – Fire Protection Research
Foundation Issue Date: May 2010
21. Thank You !!
For further information;
For additional copies of this handout;
For a copy of this PowerPoint
presentation;
Contact:
Osama Younan at (213) 482-7407
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Notas do Editor
{"16":"Fire-resistive construction\nGenerally not an issue for “equipment”\nInstallations which establish a “roof” require supporting elements to comply with fire protective standards based on the type of building construction\nAlternative means and methods of construction may be considered when deemed appropriate by the Building Official\nExample: Use of non-combustible steel primary frame construction for a solar PV shade canopy on top of an existing Type IIIA building, in lieu of requiring 1-Hr fire protection\nSkylight/plumbing vent/mechanical equip/exhaust terminations\nSpecial consideration should be given to ensure proper clearances around typical roof-top features to avoid interference or obstruction.\nRoof Classification (UL 1703)\nWhen there is no use underneath, solar PV installations are generally considered to be equipment\nNo fire-retardant roof covering requirement\nNo fire sprinkler requirement\nLocal WUI considerations may apply, such as debris screens\nWhen the there is a sheltered use underneath, solar PV installations are generally considered a roof element\nFire-retardant roof classification applies\nAdditional floor area may be created\nAdditional story and building height may become a consideration\nType of Building Construction may become a consideration\nSolar PV installations that consist of sufficiently spaced arrays and open structural support systems that allow free dissipation of heat and gasses may, upon consideration by the Building Official, constitute equipment rather than a roof element\nSee CRC R202\n"}