Rooftop PV: What You Need to Know About Building and Fire Codes

SEI Course May 2013

Created May 2013

Rooftop PV: What You Need To Know About Building and Fire Codes

James R. Kirby, AIA VP of Sustainability Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing

ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING SCIENCE

§ VP of Sustainability § Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing § Masters of Architecture, Structures § University of Illinois § Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Design and Construction § Boston Architectural College, Sustainable Design Institute

James Kirby, AIA 1 SEI Course May 2013

Today’s Topic

§ Why PV Matters § Roof System Basics § The Rooftop PV Industry § Codes Background § IBC 2012 § Fire resistance § IRC 2012 § IFC 2012 § Warranties + Liability, ROI vs LCA, Credentials

Created May 2013

Why PV Matters

James Kirby, AIA 2 SEI Course May 2013

Global concerns

§ 2012 = 7 Billion people § 2030 = 10 Billion people § In 2030, the world will need: § 50% more food § 45% more energy § 30% more water § PV will be part of the solution

Source: Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action “Economic Growth 2.0” in G8 Climate Change magazine for the 38th G8 Summit, Camp David, Maryland, USA, 18-19 May, 2012

Buildings

§ In the United States, the buildings sector (C, I, R) accounted for about 41% of primary energy consumption in 2010. § Commercial buildings (C) consume approximately 20% of all energy in the US. § Total building primary energy consumption in 2009 was about 48% higher than consumption in 1980. § Space heating, space cooling, and lighting were the dominant end used in 2010, accounting for close to half of all energy consumed in the buildings sector.

buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov

James Kirby, AIA 3 SEI Course May 2013

Rooftop PV Possibilities

§ Currently, approx. 3.0 billion square feet of roof installed annually (0.5B new; 2.5B reroof) § If 25% of the roof areas included PV, we’d have 750M square feet/year of PV § At 5W/square foot, that’s 3.75 GW/year § A very conservative assumption § Assume 4 hours of production each day, that’s 15 GWhours/year. § The equivalent of about 1.5 million homes/year could be powered by rooftop PV.

Created May 2013

Roof System Basics

James Kirby, AIA 4 SEI Course May 2013

Low-slope Roof Types

§ Built-up § Modified Bitumen § EPDM § PVC § TPO § SPF § Metal

Low-slope Roof Systems: Membranes

§ Surface § Membrane § Cover Board § Insulation § Multiple layers; no thermal breaks Graphic: NRCA § Vapor Retarder/Air Barrier § Base Layer (Fire Barrier?) § Roof Deck

James Kirby, AIA 5 SEI Course May 2013

Low-slope Roof Systems: SPF and Metal

Graphic: roofinganswers.blogspot.com

Graphic: Butler Mfg

Steep-slope Roofing Types

§ Asphalt Shingles § Clay and Concrete Tiles § Metal Panels and Metal Shingles § Wood Shakes and Shingles § Slates § Synthetics

James Kirby, AIA 6 SEI Course May 2013

Steep-slope Roofs

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Steep-slope Roofs

Steep-slope Roofs; Shingle Concept

James Kirby, AIA 8 SEI Course May 2013

Steep-slope Roofs: Metal Panels

Created May 2013

The Rooftop PV Industry

James Kirby, AIA 9 SEI Course May 2013

PV :: Current Products

¥ Roof mount ¥ Low-slope roofs: ¥ Primarily ballasted/non- penetrating rack systems ¥ Adhered, penetrating racks ¥ Steep-slope roofs ¥ Primarily penetrating attachment systems ¥ Adhered, BIPV

PV Installation Options

§ How PVs are installed changes which part of the building code you use… Adhered, PV shingles, Racks… § Adhered rely on wind load of roof systems, and should be tested by roof manufacturer. § BIPVs are tested like “shingles” and other steep-slope products § Racks are “components” and require their own independent testing … by the racking manufacturers. § FYI: Only one of these options allows reroofing to occur without decommissioning the PV system

James Kirby, AIA 10 SEI Course May 2013

Created May 2013

Codes Background

“Electrical” codes

§ You’re aware of the “electrical” codes, the PV specific codes. For example: § UL 1703 (includes fire resistance), UL 1741, UL 2703 § IEEE 1262, IEEE 1547 § IEC 61215, IEC 61646 § NFPA 70: National Electric Code (Article 690) § NFPA 1: National Fire Code § …and more

James Kirby, AIA 11 SEI Course May 2013

Codes for Buildings: I-Codes

§ International Code Council § Published every 3 years § 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 § 15 model codes produced by ICC § International Building Code § International Residential Code, § International Fire Code § And: § Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Wildland Urban Interface, Performance, Property Maintenance, Zoning, Private Sewage, Green Construction, Swimming Pool and Spa

International Code Council www.iccsafe.org

§ The International Building Code (IBC) is in use or adopted in 50 states, Washington DC, US V.I., NYC, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands § The International Residential Code (IRC) is in use or adopted in 49 states, Washington DC, U.S. Virgin Islands § The International Fire Code (IFC) is in use or adopted in 43 states, Washington DC, NYC, Guam and Puerto Rico

Source: ICC website, May 2013

James Kirby, AIA 12 SEI Course May 2013

“MEETING THE BUILDING CODE” MEANS YOU DID THE MINIMUM TO BE LEGAL!

Creat ed May

IBC/IRC/IFC 2012

§ Each will have specific code language regarding roof- mounted PV systems § IBC: differentiating between adhered, PV shingles and rack systems § IRC: differentiating between PV and solar thermal (hot water) § IFC: access to and on rooftop, safety on rooftop

James Kirby, AIA 13 SEI Course May 2013

IBC vs IRC

§ Roofs don’t differentiate between residential and commercial. The “occupancy” doesn’t affect the roof, in general. § IBC does not mean low-slope only. § IRC does not mean steep-slope only.

§ IBC is generally more performance based § IRC is generally more prescriptive based § For enforcement reasons, primarily

Created May 2013

IBC, 2012 Edition

James Kirby, AIA 14 SEI Course May 2013

International Building Code, 2012 Edition

§ “The International Building Code® (IBC®) is a model code that provides minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare of the occupants of new and existing buildings and structures.” § Performance based § 35 Chapters § A-M Appendices § Chapter 15 is about roofing

IBC 2012, Chapter 15 Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures

§ 1501 General § 1502 Definitions § 1503 Weather Protection § 1504 Performance Requirements § 1505 Fire Classification § 1506 Materials § 1507 Requirements for Roof Coverings § 1508 Roof Insulation § 1509 Rooftop Structures § 1510 Reroofing § 1511 Solar Photovoltaic Panels/Modules

James Kirby, AIA 15 SEI Course May 2013

IBC 2012, Chapter 15

§ “PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES/ SHINGLES. A roof covering composed of flat-plate photovoltaic modules fabricated in sheets that resemble three-tab composite shingles.” § Definition in Chapter 2

IBC 2012, Chapter 15

Graphic: Quick Mount PV

James Kirby, AIA 16 SEI Course May 2013

IBC 2012, Chapter 15

§ Wind resistance § “Roof decks and roof coverings shall be designed for wind loads in accordance with Chapter 16 and Sections 1504.2, 1504.3 and 1504.4.” § PV module/shingle is a “…roof covering…”

IBC 2012, Chapter 15

§ Wind resistance of an adhered module/panel will be based on the roof system manufacturer. § Wind resistance of racks is in a different section (1509).

James Kirby, AIA 17 SEI Course May 2013

IBC 2012, Chapter 15

§ 1505 Fire Classification § 1505.8 Photovoltaic systems. Rooftop installed photovoltaic systems that are adhered or attached to the roof covering or photovoltaic modules/ shingles installed as roof coverings shall be labeled to identify their fire classification in accordance with the testing required in Section 1505.1.

IBC 2012, Section 1505

§ ANSI/UL 1703, “Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels” § Construction, performance, testing, rating and marking of PV modules and panels § Includes UL 790, “Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings” § “Listed” “Photovoltaic Module” § “Listed” “Photovoltaic Panel” § And “Class A” or “Class B” or “Class C” or “Not Rated”

James Kirby, AIA 18 SEI Course May 2013

IBC 2012, Chapter 15

§ 1507.17 Photovoltaic modules/shingles § Materials: UL 1703 § Attachment: Per manufacturer § Wind: D3161, per 1507.2.7.1(2)

James Kirby, AIA 19 SEI Course May 2013

PV Shingle; for example

IRC 2012, Chapter 15

§ Nothing applicable in 1508, Roof Insulation…

James Kirby, AIA 20 SEI Course May 2013

IBC 2012, Chapter 15

§ 1509 Rooftop Structures § 1509.7 Photovoltiac Systems § Rooftop mounted photovoltaic systems shall be designed in accordance with this section. § Wind. Chapter 16, components and cladding § Fire. Section 1505 § Installation § Listed and labeled per UL 1703

IBC 2012, Chapter 16

§ Chapter 16, Structural Design § 1609, Wind Loads. Design in accordance with ASCE 7 or 1609.6. § Wind speed, exposure category, height, importance category § Pages 348-358, very detailed section of the code. You will need an engineer to determine wind loads and wind resistance of rooftop PV products § Much is already done by manufacturers

James Kirby, AIA 21 SEI Course May 2013

Wind Load Map

§ 3 maps, based on exposure category § New for 2012

IBC, Chapter 15

§ Section 1511 Solar Photovoltaic Panels/Modules § 1511.1.1 …comply with…the International Fire Code

James Kirby, AIA 22 SEI Course May 2013

Vegetative Roof Systems aka “Roof gardens and landscaped roofs.”

§ “…comply with this chapter …” § “…shall comply with…the International Fire Code.”

Created May 2013

Fire Resistance

James Kirby, AIA 23 SEI Course May 2013

Fire Resistance

§ Class A is most common § Steep-slope AND Low-slope § Class A is for a SYSTEM, not a material

§ What if… § A roof system is Class A and an adhered PV panel is Class C? § A roof system is Class A and a rack-mounted PV panel is Class C?

Solar American Board for Codes and Standards

July 11, 2013 at InterSolar NA in SF, a final report

James Kirby, AIA 24 SEI Course May 2013

‘Parallel rack’ fire issue

§ Install over non-combustible?? § Clay and concrete tile, metal panels…see chapter 15 for exempt materials. § Verify with AHJ

Created May 2013

IRC, 2012 Edition

James Kirby, AIA 25 SEI Course May 2013

International Residential Code, 2012 Edition

§ “This code is founded on principles intended to establish provisions consistent with the scope of a residential code that adequately protects public health, safety and welfare; provisions that do not unnecessarily increase construction costs; provisions that do not restrict the use of new materials, products or methods of construction; and provisions that do not give preferential treatment to particular types or classes of materials, products or methods of construction.” § “The IRC is a prescriptive-oriented (specification) code with some examples of performance code language. It has been said that the IRC is the complete cookbook for residential construction.” § Ordered based on the process of building a residence. § 44 Chapters § A-Q Appendices § Chapter 9 is about roofing

IRC 2012, Chapter 9

James Kirby, AIA 26 SEI Course May 2013

IRC 2012, Chapter 23

IRC 2012, Chapter 23, Solar Energy Systems

§ M2301 Solar Thermal Energy Systems § Most language existed in previous IRC § M2302 Photovoltaic Solar Energy Systems § All new; 7 paragraphs

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IRC 2012, Chapter 23

James Kirby, AIA 28 SEI Course May 2013

IRC 2012, Chapter 23

IRC, Chapter 23, Solar Thermal

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IRC 2012, Chapter 9

§ R901 General § R902 Roof Classification (Fire) § R903 Weather Protection § R904 Materials § R905 Requirements for Roof Coverings § R906 Roof Insulation § R907 Reroofing

IRC 2012, Chapter 9

§ Roof Classification § Class A, B or C roofing shall be installed in areas designated by law as requiring their use or when the edge of the roof is less than 3 feet (914 mm) from a lot line. Classes A, B and C roofing required by this section to be listed shall be tested in accordance with UL 790 or ASTM E 108. § Note the Exceptions § Brick, masonry, concrete § Copper, steel, etc § Copper over combustible deck

James Kirby, AIA 30 SEI Course May 2013

IRC 2012, Chapter 9, Weather Protection i.e., flashing

IRC 2012, Chapter 9, Materials

§ Meet R905 § Be Compatible § Meet the standards listed within this Chapter § Identification, labels for Approval Testing § e.g., “Meets UL 1703”

James Kirby, AIA 31 SEI Course May 2013

IRC 2012, Chapter 9

§ The installation of photovoltaic modules/shingles shall comply with the provisions of this section. § Materials: UL 1703 § Attachment: Per Manufacturer § Wind: D 3161 and table 905.2.4.1 (2)

PV Shingle; for example

James Kirby, AIA 32 SEI Course May 2013

Basic Wind Speeds

Regions Where Wind Design Is Required

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Wind Design

§ All attachments (stand-offs, rails, clamps, etc) need to be designed to resist the wind loads (based on wind speed, height, geography) expected at the project location.

IRC 2012, Insulation, Reroofing

§ Nothing applicable to PV

James Kirby, AIA 34 SEI Course May 2013

Created May 2013

IFC, 2012 Edition

International Fire Code 2012 Edition

§ The International Fire Code® (IFC®) is a model code that regulates minimum fire safety requirements for new and existing buildings, facilities, storage and processes. The IFC addresses fire prevention, fire protection, life safety and safe storage and use of hazardous materials in new and existing buildings, facilities and processes. The IFC provides a total approach of controlling hazards in all buildings and sites, regardless of the hazard being indoors or outdoors. § Prescriptive and performance based § 80 Chapters § A-J Appendices § Chapter 6 includes PV (…electrical equipment)

James Kirby, AIA 35 SEI Course May 2013

IFC 2012, Chapter 1

§ Scope and Administration § Permits: The fire code official is authorized to issue construction permits for work as set forth in Sections 105.7.1 through 105.7.16 § Section 105.7.13 is Solar PV power systems, and says a construction permit is required to install or modify solar PV power systems.

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ IFC, Chapter 6, Building Services and Systems. § Section 605, Electrical Equipment, Wiring and Hazards

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IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ Section 605.11, Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems. § All new for 2012

IFC, Chapter 6

§ Section 605.11, Solar photovoltaic power systems § “…shall be installed per 605.11.1 Ð 605.11.4, IBC and NFPA 70 .”

§ 605.11.1 Marking § 605.11.2 Location of DC conductors § 605.11.3 Access and pathways

James Kirby, AIA 37 SEI Course May 2013

IFC Chapter 6

¥ Section 605.11, Solar photovoltaic power systems ¥ 605.11.3 Access and pathways ¥ 605.11.4 Ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.1 Marking § “…on DC conduit, enclosures, raceways …” § “…shall be reflective, weather resistant and suitable for the environment. … 3/4” white on red …” § “Warning: Photovoltaic Power Source” § “…placed adjacent to the main service disconnect…” § “…on interior and exterior … every 10 feet, wtihin 1 foot of turns or bends and within 1 foot above and below penetrations or roof/ceiling assemblies, walls or barriers.”

James Kirby, AIA 38 SEI Course May 2013

Code-required Marking

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

James Kirby, AIA 39 SEI Course May 2013

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3 Access and pathways § 605.11.3.1 Roof access points. § No ladders in front of windows and doors § Located at strong points

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3 Access and pathways § 605.11.3.2 Residential systems for one- and two-family dwellings § Provide access per the 3 following paragraphs

James Kirby, AIA 40 SEI Course May 2013

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3.2.1. Residential with hip roof layouts § Need 3 foot wide path from eave to ridge on each roof slope where modules are located § At a structurally strong point able to carry live load of fire fighters

>2:12 only

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3.2.2 Residential buildings with a single ridge. § Need (2) 3 foot wide paths from eave to ridge on each roof slope where modules are located

>2:12 only

James Kirby, AIA 41 SEI Course May 2013

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3.2.3 Residential buildings with roof hips and valleys § Need 18 inches to hip or valley where panels are on both sides of hip or valley § That means a 3 foot wide patch at hip and valley—18 inches on each side

§ >2:12 only

Rooftop layout

§ 2012 IFC considerations § Based, in part, on CAL FIRE Solar PV Installation Guideline

James Kirby, AIA 42 SEI Course May 2013

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3 Exceptions § Array no greater than 150’ x 150’ § Panels at roof ridge with approved alternate ventilation plan

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3 Access and pathways § 605.11.3.3 Other than residential buildings § Provide access per the 3 following paragraphs

James Kirby, AIA 43 SEI Course May 2013

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3.3.1 Access § Minimum 6 foot wide perimeter at edges of roof § …or 4 foot wide if building axis is less than 250 ft.

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3.3.2 Pathways § Over areas capable of supporting live loads § Centerline axis pathways § Straight, 4 feet wide path to skylight or vent hatches AND standpipes § 4 foot clear around access hatch with 4 foot wide path to parapet or roof edge

James Kirby, AIA 44 SEI Course May 2013

IFC 2012, Chapter 6

§ 605.11.3.3.3 Smoke Ventilation § Arrays 150’ x 150’ maximum § With one of: § 8’ wide pathway § 4’ wide pathway and bordering skylight or smoke/heat vents § 4’ with path and bordering 4x8 “venting cutouts” every 20 feet on alternating sides of path

GraphicCreated from May Bill 2013Brooks, Bill Brooks Engineering, California

James Kirby, AIA 45 SEI Course May 2013

GraphicCreated from May Bill 2013Brooks, Bill Brooks Engineering, California

IRC, IRC, IFC

§ IBC/IRC: § Definitions, Weather Protection (Flashing), Performance (Wind-resistance), Fire Classification (Fire-resistance), Materials (Compatibility/Labeling), Roof Covering Requirements (Approvals [UL 1703]), Insulation (not applicable), Rooftop Structures (Racks—wind/fire), Reroofing (not applicable), Solar Thermal + PV (ties this to IFC) § IFC: § Marking (BOS Labeling), DC Conductor Locations, Access and Pathways (Layout), Ground Mount (not discussed today)

James Kirby, AIA 46 SEI Course May 2013

“MEETING THE BUILDING CODE” MEANS YOU DID THE MINIMUM TO BE LEGAL!

What about? -Equivalent service life (durability/longevity) -Loads -Drainage -Warranty -Maintenance -Safety Creat ed May

Created May 2013

Warranties + Liability, ROI vs LCA, Credentials

James Kirby, AIA 47 SEI Course May 2013

Warranty Implications

§ Residential vs Commercial § A 4kW system on a portion of a residence versus a 250kW system on a big box retail store. § Different liability requires different pre-job effort

Differentiate PV Projects

§ In addition to: § Low-slope vs. Steep-slope, and § Rack-mounted vs. Adhered…

§ New construction vs. Retrofit § Commercial vs. Residential § 4 kW vs. 100 kW § Developer vs. Institution

James Kirby, AIA 48 SEI Course May 2013

ROI vs. LCA

§ Payback (ROI) is not the whole story § New inverter at year 14 +/- § New roof at some point, TBD § How much does the PV system decommissioning and recommissioning add to the reroofing cost?

§ The owner should have the 25-year story

Credentials They Follow the Codes to Some Extent

§ CSRP: Certified Solar Roofing Professional § Certification by RISE www.riseprofessional.org § NABCEP § The North American Board for Certified Energy Practitioners

James Kirby, AIA 49 SEI Course May 2013

Created May 2013

The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing

ABOUT THE CENTER

816 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20006

The Center established itself as a not-for-profit 501 (c)(6) organization headquartered in Washington, DC to serve as a forum to draw together the entire roofing industry to the common cause of promoting the roofing knowledge base, development and use of environmentally responsible high performance roof systems.

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CENTER MEMBERS

United Materials

William Wallace Collins, LLC

THE CENTER

► Public Advocacy ¥ Codes and standards ¥ Government policy ► RoofingCenter ResearchTHE CENTER ¥ Standing research committee

► Sustainability ¥ Insulation; Building Envelope ¥ Photovoltaics Task Force ► International Outreach ¥ Latin America, plus ► Member Support

► Market support White House ► Education and training

James Kirby, AIA 51 SEI Course May 2013

RoofPoint

§ A roof-rating system § New and reroofing

§ Functional areas § Energy Management § Materials Management § Water Management § Durability/Life Cycle Management

CEIR Racking and Attachment Criteria for Effective Membrane Roof System Integration

www.roofingcenter.org/special/pv

James Kirby, AIA 52 SEI Course May 2013

Today’s Topic

§ Why PV Matters § Roof System Basics § The Rooftop PV Industry § Codes Background § IBC 2012 § Fire resistance § IRC 2012 § IFC 2012 § Warranties + Liability, ROI vs LCA, Credentials

Created May 2013 James R. Kirby, AIA VP of Sustainability Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing 816 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20006 www.roofingcenter.org [email protected] @JamesKirbyCEIR

James Kirby, AIA 53