Solar PV & Energy Storage Systems

Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District reviews the fire-service and life-safety portions of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Energy Storage System (ESS) projects routed through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department permit process.

Solar PV and ESS projects may require BFFR plan review, payment of the applicable fee, and a final BFFR inspection before the fire district’s permit hold can be released.

BFFR Fees

  • Solar PV review and inspection: $275
  • ESS review and inspection: $275
  • Combined Solar PV and ESS review and inspection: $550
  • Reinspection: $200, when applicable

BFFRPD_Solar_ESS_Inspection_Packet_FILLABLE

How the Process Works

1. Permit Referral

Pikes Peak Regional Building Department may route the Solar PV or ESS permit to BFFR for review. Contractors should contact BFFR when directed.

2. Submit Project Information

Provide BFFR with:

  • PPRBD permit or project number
  • Project address
  • Approved plans
  • Solar PV and/or ESS equipment information
  • Completed BFFR inspection documents
  • Contractor and billing contact information

3. BFFR Review

BFFR reviews the project for firefighter access, emergency controls, equipment location, required markings, and other applicable fire-code provisions.

4. Invoice and Payment

BFFR will issue an invoice for the applicable review and inspection fee. Payment must be completed before final BFFR approval can be posted.

5. Install According to Approved Plans

The installation must match the approved permit documents. Contractors should contact the appropriate reviewing authority before:

  • Relocating equipment
  • Changing the system or array layout
  • Reducing required access or clearances
  • Modifying disconnects or shutdown controls
  • Changing fire-safety features shown on the approved plans

6. Request Final Inspection

Once the installation is complete and ready for inspection, contact BFFR to schedule the required final fire inspection.

BFFR will release its permit hold after all applicable documents, fees, corrections, and inspection requirements have been completed.

Solar PV Requirements

Common fire-code review items include:

  • Required firefighter roof access, pathways, and ridge clearances
  • Access to emergency escape and rescue openings
  • Proper placement of modules, inverters, combiners, conduit, and related equipment
  • Accessible and clearly identified rapid-shutdown controls and disconnects
  • Permanent and legible system, service, disconnect, inverter, and warning labels
  • Installation that matches the approved plans
  • Unobstructed apparatus access, hydrants, gates, fire lanes, emergency controls, and service equipment for ground-mounted systems

Energy Storage System Requirements

Common ESS review items include:

  • Listed equipment installed according to its listing and manufacturer instructions
  • Installation in a code-permitted and approved location
  • Required separation between ESS units and from doors, windows, openings, combustible construction, and other equipment
  • Vehicle-impact protection where equipment may be exposed to vehicles
  • Required smoke or heat detection, ventilation, enclosure protection, or other safeguards
  • Accessible and clearly identified disconnects, shutdown controls, warning labels, and emergency information

Large-capacity, unusual-chemistry, or commercial systems may require additional documentation or safeguards, including fire testing, hazard-mitigation analysis, commissioning, detection, suppression, ventilation, or emergency planning.

Before Requesting an Inspection

Please confirm that:

  • The installation is complete and matches the approved plans.
  • All required labels, placards, shutdown markings, and disconnect identification are installed.
  • Required Solar PV roof access and pathways are complete and unobstructed.
  • ESS location, separation, protection, and emergency controls are complete.
  • Previous BFFR corrections have been addressed.
  • The applicable BFFR fee has been paid.
  • The PPRBD permit number is available.

Common Reasons Approval Is Delayed

BFFR may be unable to release a permit hold when:

  • Required fees or permit information are incomplete.
  • Solar PV roof access or pathways do not meet requirements.
  • Emergency controls, disconnects, or required markings are incomplete.
  • ESS location, separation, protection, or shutdown requirements are incomplete.
  • The installation does not match the approved plans.
  • A required BFFR inspection has not been completed or passed.
  • Corrections remain outstanding.

Forms and Contractor Resources

Questions and Submissions

Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District
Fire Prevention & Compliance
11445 Teachout Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80908
Phone: 719-495-4300
Email: fielding.lucas@bffire.org

Related County and State Requirements

BFFR reviews the fire-service and life-safety portions of Solar PV and Energy Storage System projects within the district. Other agencies retain authority over additional portions of the project.

  • Pikes Peak Regional Building Department: Building and electrical permits, plan review, and applicable inspections. PPRBD currently identifies the 2021 International Residential Code and 2023 National Electrical Code among its adopted codes. Visit the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for permitting requirements, adopted codes, and project information.
  • Black Forest Fire Rescue: Fire-code review, firefighter access, emergency controls, equipment location, required markings, applicable fees, and final fire inspection.
  • Colorado requirements: Projects remain subject to applicable state requirements, adopted fire and residential codes, approved plans, equipment listings, and manufacturer instructions.

Approval by one agency does not replace approvals or inspections required by another agency.

Removal, Recycling and Disposal

Proper disposal of batteries, electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and energy-storage equipment helps reduce fire hazards and keeps potentially hazardous materials out of the regular waste stream.

Household Batteries

Lithium-ion, lead-acid, rechargeable, and other specialty batteries require proper handling. Do not place these batteries in household trash or curbside recycling unless the applicable waste provider specifically allows it.

El Paso County’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility accepts certain household batteries from El Paso and Teller County residents. The county requires batteries to be clean and free of leaking, corrosion, rust, and dirt. Batteries must be placed in a clear resealable bag no larger than one gallon. Residents should review the county’s current requirements before visiting because acceptance conditions may change.

EV Batteries and Energy Storage Systems

Electric vehicle batteries and installed energy-storage systems are significantly larger than ordinary household batteries and may require specialized handling, transportation, recycling, or disposal.

Before removing or transporting this equipment, contact the manufacturer, installer, vehicle dealer, qualified recycler, or appropriate waste authority for instructions. Do not take an EV battery or complete ESS unit to a household hazardous-waste facility without confirming that the facility will accept it.

Damaged, swollen, leaking, overheating, smoking, or fire-involved batteries present a serious hazard. Do not handle or transport them without guidance from emergency personnel or a qualified hazardous-materials professional.

Solar Panels

Solar panels may contain materials that require specialized recycling or waste-management procedures. Disposal requirements can depend on the panel type, condition, source, and applicable waste classification.

Property owners and contractors should contact a qualified solar-panel recycler or waste-management provider before removing or transporting panels.

Household and Commercial Waste

El Paso County’s Household Hazardous Waste program is intended primarily for qualifying household waste. Waste generated by contractors, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, or other commercial operations may be subject to different requirements.

Always confirm the facility’s acceptance requirements, quantities, packaging instructions, fees, and appointment requirements before transporting materials.