1205.1 General. 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 104.10 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 1205.2.1 through 1205.6, the
International Building Code, and chapter
19.28 RCW.
1205.2.1 Solar photovoltaic systems for Group R-3 residential and buildings built under the International Residential Code. Solar photovoltaic systems for Group R-3 residential and buildings built under the International Residential Code shall comply with Sections 1205.2.1.1 through 1205.2.3.
EXCEPTIONS: | 1. Residential dwellings with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system installed. |
| 2. Residential dwellings with approved mechanical or passive ventilation systems. |
| 3. Where the fire code official determines that the slope of the roof is too steep for emergency access. |
| 4. Where the fire code official determines that vertical ventilation tactics will not be utilized. |
| 5. These requirements shall not apply to roofs where the total combined area of the solar array does not exceed 33 percent as measured in plan view of the total roof area of the structure, where the solar array will measure 1,000 sq. ft. or less in area, and where a minimum 18 inches unobstructed pathway shall be maintained along each side of any horizontal ridge. |
1205.6 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.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
19.27.031 and
19.27.074. WSR 23-23-106, § 51-54A-1205, filed 11/15/23, effective 3/16/24; WSR 22-13-093, 23-12-107, and 23-20-027, § 51-54A-1205, filed 6/14/22, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24.]