REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Scott M. Haberle, Fire Chief
Subject:
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Adopt Ordinance No. 4231 adding Section 17.48.050 to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter to amend Subsection A of Section 690.13 of the California Electrical Code
Approved for introduction May 17, 2021 - Vote: 7-0
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Statement of Issue:
Ordinance No. 4231 approved for introduction on May 17, 2021, requires adoption.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Adopt Ordinance No. 4231, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Adding Section 17.48.050 to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter to Amend Subsection A of Section 690.13 of the California Electrical Code.”
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the ordinance and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The adoption of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 17.48.050 Section 690.13A requires the means to disconnect a photovoltaic and electrical energy storage system to be installed at a readily accessible location on the exterior of the building. This section also requires a visible, open, lockable AC disconnect to be located within three feet of the meter, photovoltaic disconnect, or as required by the Building or Fire Code Official.
Energy Storage systems, such as Tesla Powerwalls, are often installed in combination with photovoltaic systems. The California Fire Code and Electrical Code allow for energy storage systems’ disconnect to be located directly on the storage system. In the event of a fire, this can be problematic as these battery systems are typically installed inside a building, which requires Huntington Beach Fire Department personnel to enter into a building to shut down any battery storage system that are back-feeding the electrical system.
The single disconnect will give Fire personnel the ability to de-energize the primary power, photovoltaic system, and energy storage systems at a single location outside the building.
The Legislative Draft showing the revisions to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code 17.48.050 Section 690.13A is included to Ordinance 4231 (Attachment 1).
Environmental Status:
The proposed ordinance amends existing Huntington Beach Municipal Code requirements related to electrical disconnects for Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Systems, and would not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment. As such, the proposed ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), which exempts activities where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance No. 4231, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Adding Section 17.48.050 to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter to Amend Subsection A of Section 690.13 of the California Electrical Code.”