This is a requirement imposed by the 2018 international fire code section 1204 and adopted by the authority having jurisdiction ahj i e.
Roof setbacks solar.
Setback refers to the distance that solar panels need to be from the side and top edges of a roof.
But they are required in california.
The international fire code 605 11 3 2 4 that states panels modules installed shall be located no higher than 3 ft below the ridge to allow for fire department ventilation operations significantly decreases the attractiveness of residential solar pv because it applies to both sides of a peaked roof.
According to cal fire s solar photovoltaic installation guidelines below are illustrations of currently enforced fire setbacks pathways for residential solar system installations.
These requirements don t exist everywhere so check with your local authorities.
For homes with sprinkler systems if the system takes up less than 2 3 of the plan view total roof area the setback for ridge ventilation is also relaxed to 18 inches.
This could due to a jurisdictional requirement a fire code requirement or a company design guideline.
The intention of the setbacks is to provide firefighters with access to the peak of the roof in order to provide positive ventilation in the event of a house fire.
You can easily define roof setbacks by clicking on settings in the top right hand corner of your site model.
Roof setbacks from ridge for ventilation relaxed from 36 inches to 18 inches for solar systems that take up less than 1 3 of the plan view total roof area.
Setbacks are for firefighter roof access to the ridge line.
Roof setbacks define how much distance there must be between the system and the edges of the roof.
Any roof with pitch equal or less than 2 in 12 9 46 degrees doesn t require any setbacks pathways.
Hip roofs arrays must be located to provide a minimum 36 inch wide access pathway from the eave to the ridge on all roof sections containing solar equipment.
City of las vegas henderson north las vegas or clark county etc fire setbacks are distances that solar panels must not be placed within mostly near ridgelines or peaks valleys on the roof or other obstacles like skylights and chimneys to allow firefighters to safely walk on the roof when responding to building fire.
Panels modules installed on residential 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 modules are located.
