2015 FSBs

SIZE OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY

605.11.1.2.1 Size of Solar Photovoltaic Array: Each photovoltaic array shall be limited to 150 feet by 150 feet. Multiple arrays shall be separated by a 3-foot-wide clear access pathway.

For this requirement:

1. On residential systems, you are very unlikely to ever have an array that is 150' by 150' (or 22,500 sq. ft.). This part of the code will not be considered applicable, however, part 2 is.

2. When we have multiple arrays on a single roof plane, we always need to provide a 3' pathway in between these arrays.

   1. The example to the right demonstrates a layout that has two arrays on a single roof plane.

   2. The designer designated and dimensioned this needed pathway on the plans.

SETBACKS AT THE RIDGE

605.11. 1.2. 5 Allowance for Smoke Ventilation Operations: Panels and modules installed on Group R-3 buildings shall be located not less than 3 feet (914 mm) from the ridge in order to allow for fire department smoke ventilation operations.

HIP ROOFS

605.11.1.2.2 Hip Roofs: Panels and modules installed on buildings with hip roof layouts shall be located in a manner that provides one 3-foot-wide clear access pathway from the eave to the ridge on each roof slope where panels and modules are located. The access pathway shall be at a location on the building capable of supporting the fire fighters accessing the roof.

SINGLE RIDGE ROOFS

605.11.1.2.3 Single-Ridge Roofs: Panels and modules installed on buildings with a single ridge shall be located in a manner that provides two, 3-foot-wide access pathways from the eave to the ridge on each roof slope where panels and modules are located. 

ROOFS WITH HIPS AND VALLEYS

605.11.1.2.4 Roofs with Hips and Valleys: Modules installed on buildings with roof hips and valleys shall not be located closer than 18 inches to a hip or a valley where panels/modules are to be placed on both sides of a hip or valley. Where panels are to be located on only one side of a hip or valley that is of equal length, the panels shall be permitted to be placed directly adjacent to the hip or valley.

• When there is an intersecting valley where modules will also be on the other side, neither array may come closer than 18" to this valley.

• When there are modules on either side of a roof hip or there is an intersecting valley with modules on the other side, neither array may come closer than 18" to this valley.

This must always be shown on the plans.

OVERVIEW

This is the short version of the code. It gets a little more granular than this, so make sure to review all the following code specifics to ensure that you fully understand the code language.

• 36” setback on both sides of the ridge

• Two 36” paths for each roof plane where PV is mounted on a single ridge roof

• One 36” path required on hip roofs

• Hip and Valley pathways:

  • When modules are to be mounted on both sides of a hip/valley, 3' must be provided in between arrays.

  • No array is permitted to be closer than 18" to the hip/valley when modules are placed on either side.