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<br /> <br /> <br />Question? <br />: Is an Architect or Engineer stamp required on the building permit drawings <br />Answer <br />: No. Residential building permits do not require a professional to prepare or stamp the <br />drawings. It is recommended that a licensed professional review the dwelling’s existing <br />structural integrity and ability to support the photovoltaic panels. All non-residential permits <br />require a Hawai‘i licensed Architect or Structural Engineer to stamp and “wet” sign (an original <br />signature) the drawings. <br /> <br />Question <br />: Is the PV structural worksheet attached to the drawings an administrative <br />requirement? <br />Answer <br />: Yes. A completed structural worksheet for residential PV systems, attached to each set <br />of drawings is required. The information is for the review process to determine if the proposed <br />PV mounting system is approved for the conditions described. <br /> <br />Question <br />: What is the effective date of the updated guidelines? <br />Answer <br />: Applications submitted after January 1 2013 requires completing the updated structural <br />evaluation worksheet attached to each set of drawings. <br /> <br />QuestionWho should sign the worksheet? <br />: <br />Answer <br />: The licensed contractor or homeowner signs the structural evaluation worksheet. <br /> <br />Question <br />: What PV mounting systems are approved for use? <br />Answer <br />: Pre-approved mounting systems are listed on the Building Division website under <br />“Bulletins” and are frequently updated online at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/public-works- <br />building <br /> <br />Question <br />: What is the “Value” of the installation for the permit fee? <br />Answer <br />: Permit fees are based on the contract cost of the installation or if not provided, not less <br />than the current average cost of five dollars per watt installed ($5.00 /DC Panel Watt, e.g. 265 <br />Watt Panel x $5.00 = $1,325 value of installation or a permit fee of $22.75). Permit fees are <br />based on Chapter 5, Section 5-35 Table 1-A of the Hawaii County Code. <br /> <br />Question <br />: Why are PV panels located 10” minimum from the ridge, or roof edges? <br />Answer <br />: The building code references the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) <br />guidelines for wind design and provides acceptance criteria for PV roof mounted systems. The <br />County of Hawai‘i adopted this criteria for systems that do not have International Code Council <br /> <br />(ICC) Evaluation Reports. <br /> <br />QuestionWhat wind category or wind speed and Seismic zone maps do I use? <br />: <br />Answer <br />: Maps are available online at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/pw-new-bldg-code/#82 <br />Effective Wind Speed can be interpolated from Figure 1609.1.1.1(a); Wind Exposure Category <br />Figure 1609.4.4(a) (less than ¼ mile from the ocean is Exposure D); and Seismic Zones Maps <br />are online at International Residential Code <br />http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/2009/index.htm <br /> <br /> <br />12/27/2012 7:54:26 AM <br /> <br />County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br /> <br />