Section 51-54A-0605. Electrical equipment, wiring and hazards.

605.11 Solar photovoltaic power systems. Installation, modification, or alteration of solar photovoltaic power systems shall comply with this section. Due to the emerging technologies in the solar photovoltaic industry, it is understood fire code officials may need to amend prescriptive requirements of this section to meet the requirements for firefighter access and product installations. Section 104.9 Alternative materials and methods of this code shall be considered when approving the installation of solar photovoltaic power systems. Solar photovoltaic power systems shall be installed in accordance with Sections 605.11.1 through 605.11.2, the International Building Code and chapter 19.28 RCW.

605.11.1 Access and pathways. Roof access, pathways, and spacing requirements shall be provided in accordance with Sections 605.11.1.1 through 605.11.1.3.3.

EXCEPTIONS:	1. Detached, nonhabitable Group U structures including, but not limited to, parking shade structures, carports, solar trellises and similar structures.
	2. Roof access, pathways and spacing requirements need not be provided where the fire chief has determined that rooftop operations will not be employed.

605.11.1.1 Roof access points. Roof access points shall be located in areas that do not require the placement of ground ladders over openings such as windows or doors, and located at strong points of building construction in locations where the access point does not conflict with overhead obstructions such as tree limbs, wires or signs.

605.11.1.2 Solar photovoltaic systems for Group R-3 buildings. Solar photovoltaic systems for Group R-3 buildings shall comply with Sections 605.11.1.2.1 through 605.11.1.2.5.

EXCEPTION:	These requirements shall not apply to structures designed and constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code. 1.1.1 Roof access points.

605.11.1.2.1 Size of solar photovoltaic array.

1. Each photovoltaic array shall be limited to 150 feet (45,720 mm) by 150 feet (45,720 mm). Multiple arrays shall be separated by a 3-foot wide (914 mm) clear access pathway.

2. Panels/modules shall be located up to the roof ridge where an alternative ventilation method approved by the fire code official has determined vertical ventilation techniques will not be employed.

605.11.1.2.2 Hip roof layouts. Panels and modules installed on Group R-3 buildings with hip roof layouts shall be located in a manner that provides a 3-foot wide (914 mm) 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 firefighters accessing the roof.

EXCEPTION:	These requirements shall not apply to roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) or less.

605.11.1.2.3 Single-ridge roofs. Panels and modules installed on Group R-3 buildings with a single ridge shall be located in a manner that provides two, 3-foot wide (914 mm) access pathways from the eave to the ridge on each roof slope where panels and modules are located.

EXCEPTION:	This requirement shall not apply to roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) or less.

605.11.1.2.4 Roofs with hips and valleys. Panels and modules installed on Group R-3 buildings with roof hips and valleys shall not be located closer than 18 inches (457 mm) 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.

EXCEPTION:	These requirements shall not apply to roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) or less.

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 18 inches (457 mm) from the ridge in order to allow for fire department smoke ventilation operations.

EXCEPTION:	Panels and modules shall be permitted to be located up to the roof ridge where an alternative ventilation method approved by the fire chief has been provided or where the fire chief has determined vertical ventilation techniques will not be employed.

605.11.1.3 Other than Group R-3 buildings. Access to systems for buildings, other than those containing Group R-3 occupancies, shall be provided in accordance with Sections 605.11.1.3.1 through 605.11.1.3.3.

EXCEPTION:	Where it is determined by the fire code official that the roof configuration is similar to that of a Group R-3 occupancy, the residential access and ventilation requirements in Sections 605.11.1.2.1 through 605.11.1.2.5 shall be permitted to be used.

605.11.1.3.1 Access. There shall be a minimum 6-foot wide (1829 mm) clear perimeter around the edges of the roof.

EXCEPTION:	Where either axis of the building is 250 feet (76,200 mm) or less, the clear perimeter around the edges of the roof shall be permitted to be reduced to a minimum 4 foot wide (1290 mm).

605.11.1.3.2 Pathways. The solar installation shall be designed to provide designated pathways. The pathways shall meet the following requirements:

1. The pathway shall be over areas capable of supporting firefighters accessing the roof.

2. The centerline axis pathways shall be provided in both axes of the roof. Centerline axis pathways shall run where the roof structure is capable of supporting firefighters accessing the roof.

3. Pathways shall be a straight line not less than 4 feet (1290 mm) clear to roof standpipes or ventilation hatches.

4. Pathways shall provide not less than 4 feet (1290 mm) clear around roof access hatch with not less than one singular pathway not less than 4 feet (1290 mm) clear to a parapet or roof edge.

605.11.1.3.3 Smoke ventilation. The solar installation shall be designed to meet the following requirements:

1. Arrays shall be not greater than 150 feet (45,720 mm) by 150 feet (45,720 mm) in distance in either axis in order to create opportunities for fire department smoke ventilation operations.

2. Smoke ventilation options between array sections shall be one of the following:

2.1. A pathway 8 feet (2438 mm) or greater in width.

2.2. A 4-foot (1290 mm) or greater in width pathway and bordering roof skylights or gravity-operated dropout smoke and heat vents on not less than one side.

2.3. A 4-foot (1290 mm) or greater in width pathway and bordering all sides of nongravity-operated dropout smoke and heat vents.

2.4. A 4-foot (1290 mm) or greater in width pathway and bordering 4-foot by 8-foot (1290 mm by 2438 mm) "venting cutouts" every 20 feet (6096 mm) on alternating sides of the pathway.

605.11.2 Ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays. Ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays shall comply with Section 605.11 and this section. Setback requirements shall not apply to ground-mounted, free-standing photovoltaic arrays.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-055, § 51-54A-0605, filed 1/16/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: Chapters 19.27A and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-24-076, § 51-54A-0605, filed 12/2/13, effective 4/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.031, 19.27.074 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-063, § 51-54A-0605, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.]

RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-055, § 51-54A-0605, filed 1/16/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: Chapters 19.27A and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-24-076, § 51-54A-0605, filed 12/2/13, effective 4/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27A.031, 19.27.074 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-063, § 51-54A-0605, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.