The City of Phoenix has issued further requirements on PV Rapid Shutdown Signage. The fire code (2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE WITH PHOENIX AMENDMENTS) states exactly what these signs should say and exactly what they should look like. Installers must ensure that the following rapid shutdown signage is in place before requesting an fire inspection. Below is the code language and pictures of the signs.
1204.5 Buildings with rapid shutdown. Buildings with rapid shutdown solar photovoltaic systems shall have permanent labels in accordance with Sections 1204.5.1 through 1204.5.3.
1204.5.1 Rapid shutdown type. The type of solar photovoltaic system rapid shutdown shall be labeled with one of the following:
1. For solar photovoltaic systems that shut down the array and the conductors leaving the array, a label shall be provided. The first two lines of the label shall be uppercase characters with a minimum height of 3⁄8 inch (10 mm) in black on a yellow background. The remaining characters shall be uppercase with a minimum height of 3/16 inch (5 mm) in black on a white background. The label shall be in accordance with Figure 1204.5.1(1) and state the following:
SOLAR PV SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH
RAPID SHUTDOWN. TURN RAPID
SHUTDOWN SWITCH TO THE “OFF”
POSITION TO SHUT DOWN PV SYSTEM
AND REDUCE SHOCK HAZARD IN ARRAY.
2. For photovoltaic systems that only shut down conductors leaving the array, a label shall be provided. The first two lines of the label shall be uppercase characters with a minimum height of 3/8 inch (10 mm) in white on a red background and the remaining characters shall be capitalized with a minimum height of 3/16 inch (5 mm) in black on a white back-ground.
THIS SOLAR PV SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH
RAPID SHUTDOWN. TURN RAPID
SHUTDOWN SWITCH TO THE “OFF”
POSITION TO SHUT DOWN CONDUCTORS
OUTSIDE THE ARRAY. CONDUCTORS
WITHIN ARRAY REMAIN
ENERGIZED IN SUNLIGHT.
1204.5.1.1 Diagram. The labels in Section 1204.5.1 shall include a simple diagram of a building with a roof. Diagram sections in red signify sections of the solar photovoltaic system that are not shut down when the rapid shutdown switch is turned off.
1204.5.1.2 Location. The rapid shutdown label in Section 1204.5.1 shall be located not greater than 3 feet (914 mm) from the service disconnecting means to which the photovoltaic systems are connected, and shall indicate the location of all identified rapid shutdown switches if not at the same location.
1204.5.2 Buildings with more than one rapid shutdown type. Solar photovoltaic systems that contain rapid shutdown in accordance with both Items 1 and 2 of Section 1204.5.1 or solar photovoltaic systems where only portions of the systems on the building contain rapid shutdown, shall provide a detailed plan view diagram of the roof showing each different photovoltaic system and a dotted line around areas that remain energized after the rapid shutdown switch is operated.
1204.5.3 Rapid shutdown switch. A rapid shutdown switch shall have a label located not greater than 3 feet (914 mm) from the switch that states the following:
RAPID SHUTDOWN SWITCH
FOR SOLAR PV SYSTEM
Submitted by:
Brian Scholl
602-319-2297 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Deputy Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention
Phoenix Fire Department