7. PV/Solar & ESS Permits & Plan Reviews

Hadley Fire Department takes the life safety of our residents, visitors, contractors, technicians, employees and emergency response personnel very seriously. PV, Solar, and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) installations present unique inherent dangers that require specialized oversight. To mitigate these risks, we are specific and detailed in our enforcement of all applicable Massachusetts General Laws, 527 CMR 1.00, and NFPA standards. The following information is designed to ensure that every installation in our community meets the highest safety benchmarks for the protection of the public and those who service these systems.

Photovoltaic permits and inspections include three types of installations:

• PV Plan Review Permits (Residential or Commercial – roof-mounted systems)
• PV Accessory / Stand-Alone Structure Permits (ground-mounted or non-roof systems)
• Energy Storage System (ESS) Permits (Residential or Commercial – requires site visit)

IMPORTANT NOTICE – OWNERS / CONTRACTORS / SUBCONTRACTORS

• Applying for a building permit does not automatically grant or trigger a Fire Department permit where one is required.
• In the Town of Hadley, all photovoltaic (PV) and solar installations require plan review and permit approval by the Fire Chief or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
• It is the responsibility of the owner, contractor, or subcontractor to submit all required Fire Department permit applications, supporting documents, and fees directly to the Fire Department.
• The Building Department and its software do not notify the Fire Department of new or pending projects.
• Fire Department permits must be obtained separately and proactively whenever required by code or regulation.

Fire, EMS, HAZMAT, and all emergency responses take precedence over plan reviews and inspections.

Failure to comply with Hadley Fire Department procedures or submission requirements will delay the review and approval process.

PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• All applicants must use the Town of Hadley Fire Department PV/ESS permit applications provided at the bottom of this page.
• Each installation requires its own permit, fee, and plan review (e.g., PV system and ESS require separate permits).
• The solar contractor’s name, email, and phone number must be included on all applications.
• The property owner’s name and email must be included on all applications.
• Each permit application includes the required checklist and solar placard example and instructions.
• The checklist must be completed and submitted with the fee, all required documents, including plan drawings and cut sheets – at the same time via mail or dropping off in person to the fire station.
• No emailing of items noted above is allowed unless specifically requested by our office during a follow-up to original submittals. No exceptions..
• The solar placard must match the example and instructions shown on the Solar Plan Review Checklist exactly. No exceptions.

PLAN DRAWING REQUIREMENTS

All plan drawings must:

• Meet all requirements listed on the Solar Plan Review Checklist
• Be stamped, signed, and prepared by a Massachusetts Licensed Professional

Per Massachusetts law:

• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 112 Section 81B and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 112 Section 81I require that plans affecting public safety be prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect
• 780 CMR (Massachusetts Building Code) requires plans to be signed and sealed by the responsible design professional
• 527 CMR 1.00 and NFPA standards rely on Massachusetts law for enforcement of professional stamp requirements

The Hadley Fire Department will not review or approve any plans that are not stamped and signed by a licensed professional.

REQUIRED CODE STATEMENT (PAGE 1 OF PLANS)

The Massachusetts Licensed Professional creating your plan drawings is required to know which laws, regulations and codes must be cited on the plan drawings. We check this every time plans are submitted for review. There will be slight chapter or code differences for a PV installation versus an ESS installation. All submitted plans must include the following statement:

All photovoltaic (PV) and Energy Storage System (ESS) installations comply with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, 527 CMR 1.00. PV installations follow NFPA 1-2021, Chapter 11 with Massachusetts Amendments. ESS installations follow NFPA 1-2021, Chapter 52 with Massachusetts Amendments and referenced sections of NFPA 855 applicable to the installed ESS. All supporting structures comply with the Massachusetts Building Code, 780 CMR (2021 IBC with Massachusetts Amendments). All electrical work complies with the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), 2020 edition with Massachusetts Amendments, including Articles 690 (PV) and 706 (ESS).

Plan drawings must also include conduit placement and all applicable codes.

SUBMISSION & REVIEW PROCESS

• All plans, applications, and fees must be mailed or dropped off at the Fire Station
• Do not email plans unless specifically requested by the Fire Department
• The 30-day review period begins only when complete plans and payment are received
• Review timeframe is up to 30 business days (excluding weekends and holidays)
• Incomplete submissions, missing documents, or missing stamps will delay approval
• Some installations (ESS / Battery Systems) require a site visit coordinated through the Building Department

Per 527 CMR 1.00:

• The AHJ has authority to require plans and specifications and must act on complete submissions within 30 days unless extended

If you have not received a response near the 30-business-day mark, contact the office at 413-284-0874 ext. 311.

MANDATORY SOLAR PV PLACARD & LABELING REQUIREMENTS

All solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed within the Town of Hadley must have all required rapid shutdown placards and labeling installed at the time of system installation and prior to inspection.

This requirement is mandated by:

• NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code / NEC), including Articles 690.12, 690.56(C), and 110.21(B)
• 527 CMR 1.00 (Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code), incorporating NFPA 1
• Town of Hadley local permitting requirements

All labeling and placards must strictly conform to the formatting, wording, and content shown in the Solar Plan Review Checklist and associated placard example.

Placards must be:

• Permanently affixed and durable
• Clearly visible and properly located at all required equipment, including:
  • Service equipment
  • Rapid shutdown switch
  • All required disconnects
• Installed with code-compliant wording and format

MANDATORY REQUIRED INSTALLATION STANDARD

• Placards must be installed on the day of system installation
• Placards must be installed prior to inspection
• Approved plans must match field installation

Submission or approval of plans does not relieve the installer of responsibility to ensure full compliance in the field.

INSTALLER RESPONSIBILITY

All required placards and labeling are considered part of the solar PV system installation.

The permit holder / installing contractor is solely responsible for the proper installation of all required placards and labels in accordance with:

• NFPA 70 (NEC)
• 527 CMR 1.00
• Town of Hadley requirements and Solar Plan Review Checklist

Placards shall not be deferred, mailed, or assigned to the property owner for installation.

Failure to install required placards at the time of system installation will be considered incomplete work and a code violation.

ENFORCEMENT & PENALTIES

Failure to install required placards at the time of installation will result in enforcement action in accordance with 527 CMR 1.00 and Massachusetts General Laws.

Possible actions include:

• Failed Inspection / Withholding of Approval
• Reinspection Fees and Delays
• Stop Work Orders under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148
• Orders to Correct / Code Violations under 527 CMR 1.00 and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148 Section 10A
• Fines and Penalties under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148 Section 34A (each day may constitute a separate offense)
• Permit Suspension or Revocation
• Non-Criminal Disposition under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40 Section 21D

INSPECTION POLICY

Any system found without required placards installed at the time of inspection will result in:

• Immediate inspection failure
• Required correction prior to reinspection
• No exceptions