Improving Permit Review and Approval for Small Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

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 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.

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

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

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/photovoltaics/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