Andrew,
I’m by no means an expert in this area, but it has come up over and over again for our commercial and residential installations. There is no question that a) avoiding conduit in walkways is nearly impossible and b) it is a trip hazard. I’m not aware of any particular OSHA requirements, this link has the closest info I could find: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9714 Typically a rooftop is not considered a readily accessible area so I don’t think the OSHA stuff really applies. Once again, I haven’t deeply researched it so I may be wrong. If, for example, you have EMT on the roof then NEC article 358 would apply. 358.12(1) Uses Not Permitted – Where, during installation or afterward, it will be subject to sever physical damage. I think it is hard to make a case for severe physical damage on a roof. The 2013 California Fire Code section 605.11.2 specifies locations of DC conductors. I can’t copy the paste the language because the pdf I have a copy protected, but in a nutshell they want conduit run as close as possible to a ridge or hip or valley (doesn’t apply to flat commercial roofs) and then run as directly as possible to outside walls. Common sense dictates that the conduit should be marked with a bright paint or tape of some sort when they cross walkway areas. Anyone who’s spent time on the roof has probably tripped on conduit and or ground wire while working on the array. It would be even better to put some ramps to avoid the trip hazard altogether but that gets expensive really fast. -August *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Andrew Truitt *Sent:* Wednesday, July 22, 2015 12:17 PM *To:* RE-wrenches *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Conduit across walkways Wrenches - What is your take on conduit across walkways on commercial rooftops? [image: Inline image 1] The 2012 IFC says "The DC combiner boxes shall be located such that conduit runs are minimized in the pathways between arrays." so that would indicate that this is acceptable. Is there anything in the NEC or OSHA that requires some type of step or protection for conduits in access walkways? I am concerned with a scenario where the conduit is covered with snow and becomes an even bigger trip hazard and potential source of damage to the DC conductors. For a brighter energy future, Andrew Truitt Principal Truitt Renewable Energy Consulting, LLC (202) 486-7507 LinkedIn Profile <https://tracking.cirrusinsight.com/079df0b1-ab1c-4515-b1e0-d7a6f92238bd/linkedin-com-in-andrewtruitt> Company Website <https://tracking.cirrusinsight.com/079df0b1-ab1c-4515-b1e0-d7a6f92238bd/truittreconsulting-weebly-com> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional ID: 032407-66 Colorado Journeyman Electrician License No.: 600132 [image: 24 copy.jpg] "Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" ~William McDonough
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