Specifications • • . • • . •. • • • • •
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materials approved for exterior locations and protected 304.9 Fire Fighter Access and Escape. To provide access
from corrosion or deterioration. ��� and escape for Fire Fighters the location of roof - mounted •
• • • •• • •• • PV modules shall comply with the requirements of this
• €jCTI X 04 section.
• • LOCA•1'IOl 304.9.1 General Pathway Requirements. All PV
304.1 General. The location of Photovoltaic (PV) installations shall include a 36 inch wide (914mm)
components, rasl.ieigp:ippcx streictu�e.and pathway maintained along three sides of the solar roof.
shall be in accordgnce yvith, rg pjgrisippS of tits chapter. The bottom edge of a roof with a slope that exceeds 2:12
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• • • • • • shall not be used as a pathway. All pathways shall be
304.2 Zoning Requirements. The installation of PV located over a structurally supported area and measured
systems shall comply with the requirements of the zoning from edge of the roof and horizontal ridge to the solar
requirements of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). array or any portion thereof.
304.3 Flood Hazard Areas. Installation of PV systems Exception:
within flood hazard areas, as defined by the AHJ, shall 1. On structures with a PV array area of 1,000 square
comply with the Building Code or Residential Code, feet (92.90 m or less installed on a roof with a slope
Section R322 as applicable. that exceeds 2:12 and with an intersecting adjacent
roof and where no section is larger than 150 feet
304.4 Building Egress. PV systems shall not be installed (45720 mm) measured in length or width:
in locations that would restrict, or otherwise prevent the 1.1. Where the PV array does not exceed 25% as
use of, the required means of egress and emergency escape measured in plan view of total roof area of the
and rescue. The means of egress shall comply with structure, a minimum 12 inch (305mm) unobstructed
Chapter 10 of the Building Code or Residential Code, pathway, shall be maintained along each side of any
horizontal ridge.
Section R310 and R311 as applicable. 1.2. Where the solar array area exceeds 25% as
304.5 Light and Ventilation. PV systems shall not be measured in plan view of total roof area of the
installed in locations that would restrict the required light structure, a minimum of one 36 inch (914 mm)
and ventilation. Light and ventilation shall comply with unobstructed pathway from ridge to eave, over a
Building Code, Chapter 12 or Residential Code, Section structurally supported area, must be provided in
addition to a minimum 12 inch (305 mm)'
R303 as applicable. unobstructed pathway along each side of any
304.6 Rooftop Vent and Drain Clearances. PV systems horizontal ridge.
shall not be installed in locations that would restrict the 2. Pathways are not required on non - occupied
function of plumbing or mechanical vents, skylights, accessory structures provided they are separated from
drains or other rooftop features. occupied structures by a 6 feet (3048 mm) minimum
Exception: Non - operable skylights in one- and two- separation distance or by a minimum two -hour fire
family dwellings. rated assembly.
3. Townhouses providing fire separation as required by
304.7 Mechanical Equipment Clearances. PV systems the applicable code at the time of construction may be
shall be installed with not less than a 30 inch (762 mm) considered one structure and comply with the
clearance around mechanical equipment requiring service provisions of Section 304.9.1(1.1).
or maintenance. The specific provisions of the Mechanical Where townhouses are separated by real property
Code and Electrical Code apply to installations of PV lines and pathways cross real property lines, the
systems. building official shall review, approve and maintain
a record of all easements for access related to the
304.8 Roof Drainage. PV systems shall not be installed in PV system installation. Easements may be general
a manner that would obstruct roof drainage. No vertical in nature or they may describe specific locations.
supports or roof penetrations shall be allowed within 12 The applicant shall provide a copy of the recorded
inches (305 mm) of each side of the low point of the easement to the building official prior to issuance of
valley. The PV modules or racking may extend into the the building permit. Easements shall be recorded for
valley no more than 6 inches (152 mm) from the valley each affected dwelling unit and the book and page
low point provided that a minimum 3 inch (76 mm) number provided to the jurisdiction having
clearance above the surface of the roof is maintained. authority.
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Sample Residence - Portland, Oregon
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• • • 4): t ` ridge pathway
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Array less than 25% o 7m ..
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t
sample Residence Portland Oregon
1'rwge pattrxay
3 egress pathway
tr
w • J nay greyer :n ', �� ,
x �,x of total root area '^7, ::%,. 1 � , j, A ; ,
a
sets,. - 2 f r t t 3
,` .w uta ° p R S tl -tom _ '' ' '. �" 4
1 . 4 . a r. a a„ R`
,',. 4':,t' , ,,, : ° ,. 4 , - . . �,;i;' '; ,: tom - . , ' .: i
FIGURE 309.1
PANEL PATHWAY LOCATIONS
NOTE: See Section 304.10 for alternate installations. 304.9.2.1. Where a system is required to have
intermediate pathways, all pathways shall have
304.9.2 Intermediate Pathway Locations. one or more cutouts located adjacent to the
Systems that include a solar array section that is pathway. No point on the pathway shall be more
larger than 150 feet (45 720 mm) measured in than 25 feet (7620) from a cutout.
length or width shall have additional intermediate 304.9.3 Prohibited Locations. Pathways shall not
pathways. An intermediate pathway not less than be located within 12 inches of the low point of a
36 inches (914 mm) wide separating the array shall valley.
be provided for every 150 feet (45 720 mm) of 304.9.4 Smoke and Heat Vents. In structures
array including offset modules or angled where smoke and heat vents have been installed to
installations. The maximum square footage of an
array shall not exceed 22,500 ft (2090 m without comply with the requirements of the Fire Code,
the installation of an intermediate pathway. Chapter 9 Smoke and Heat Vents and Chapter 23
High Piled Storage, a 36 inch (914 mm) wide
pathway to and around each vent shall be provided
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for fire department access, maintenance and testing Racking and racking supports shall be mounted to
of these vent , ••• , structural components and shall not be attached to
•
304.9.5 Ele tr cal Gov't poient wall or roof coverings, trim or structural sheathing •
•
304.9.5.1 414iscon>Zects, J oRsS, coat ;lloxes as a means of structural support.
or gutters shall not be located in any required 4. Attached to standing seam metal roofs with
pathway or cutout. connectors in accordance with manufacturer's
304.9.5.2 Itacewa's .n•flet :mitt tiat. cross a installation instructions.
required pathway: sl 1fl: le :bldgect >p avoid 5. Certified non - penetrating or minimally
tripping hazatds.Ratev.Pays•shall•ndt **permitted penetrating systems installed in accordance with the
in required pathways on roofs with a slope that manufacturer's installation instructions.
exceeds 2:12 (17- percent slope).
305.3.3 Roof Mounted Racking. Roof - mounted
304.10 Alternate Installations. In accordance with supporting structures shall be certified in
Section 103.11, an alternative material, design, accordance with Section 303.4, and shall be
location, method of construction, or means of safe designed in accordance with accepted engineering
fire fighter access and egress may be approved by the practice, constructed and installed to safely support
building official. all loads, including dead loads, snow loads, wind
loads and seismic loads as prescribed by the
SECTION 305 Building Code or in accordance with Section 305.4.
STRUCTURAL 305.3.4 Ground Mounted Racking. Ground -
305.1 General. Photovoltaic (PV) components, mounted supporting structures, and all parts
racking, support structures and attachments shall be thereof, shall be designed, constructed and installed
in accordance with the provisions of this section. to safely support all loads, including dead loads,
305.2 Module Attachment. PV modules shall be flood loads, snow loads, wind loads and seismic
attached in accordance with the manufacturer's loads as prescribed by the Building Code.
installation instructions and to account for all loads, The bottom of modules shall be at least 18 inches
including dead loads, snow loads, wind loads and (457 mm) clear from ground level.
seismic loads, as prescribed by the Building Code.
305.4 Prescriptive Installations. Roof installations
305.3 Racking. Racking shall comply with this on conventional light -frame construction which
section. complies with this section shall qualify as
prescriptive and shall not require an engineered
305.3.1 Building Penetrations. All penetrations design if all of the following criteria are met:
shall be flashed or sealed in a manner that prevents 1. Roof Structure: The supporting roof framing
moisture from entering the wall and roof. shall be conventional light framed wood
construction with pre- engineered trusses or roof
305.3.2 Structural Support and Attachment. framing members at a spacing of 24 inch (610 mm)
Racking and racking supports shall be positively on center maximum that comply with the applicable
attached to the structural components or blocking in allowable span in Table 305.4.1 (See Appendix B)
accordance with this section. Racking and racking for the specific loads including ground snow loads
supports installed in accordance with manufacturer's not exceeding 50 psf and wind loads that do not
specifications or be designed in accordance with the exceed 95 MPH in exposure C or 105 MPH in
Building Code and shall be mounted in accordance exposures A or B as defined in 1609 of the Building
with one of the following: Code. Where the grade cannot be verified it is
1. Installed in accordance with manufacturer's assumed to be #2 Douglas -Fir Larch.
specifications and be designed in accordance with Exception: Roof framing in compliance with
the applicable allowable span in Table 305.4.2
the Building Code. (See Appendix B) for the specific loads
2. Installed in accordance with Section 305.4. including ground snow loads not exceeding 70
3. Positively attached to the structural components psf and wind exposure is limited to exposure A,
or blocking in accordance through the use of B or C shall satisfy the requirements of this
screws, bolts, j- bolts, or other approved means. section when the PV system is installed on;
Such attachment shall not be accomplished by the
use of toenails or nails subject to withdrawal.