Menu path
Cover > Zones
🧾 What exclusion zones are
In solar installations, exclusion zones define areas of a roof where access is restricted. These zones are essential for compliance with fire safety setbacks, avoiding obstructions like vents or chimneys, and ensuring maintenance access pathways.
The Cover > Zones function allows you to create three types of zones:
Corner Zones - Applied at roof corners and intersections
Field Zones - Applied across roof plane surfaces
Edge Zones - Applied along roof edges and perimeters
🔧 How to add exclusion zones
Note: Zones must be inserted in the specific order indicated in the dialog box - Corner Zones first, then Field Zones, then Edge Zones. This order ensures proper zone calculation and overlap handling.
First model your roof geometry completely
Select Cover > Zones from the menu
In the Zones dialog box, set up the zone offsets or spacing from the specified line types
Select Insert Corner Zone(s) - these must be inserted first as numbered on the dialog box
Select Insert Field Zone(s) - you'll be prompted to choose between:
Selected Planes - Apply zones only to specific roof planes you select
All Planes - Apply zones to all roof planes in the model
Field zones are inserted automatically based on your Zone Option settings
Finally, select Insert Edge Zones and choose All Planes to insert the edge zones
🛠 Typical workflow
The process of adding zones is straightforward for typical solar installation situations:
Complete your roof geometry modelling
Access the Zones function
Configure zone offset distances
Insert zones in the required order (Corner → Field → Edge)
Corner zones
Field zones
Edge zones
Review zone placement and adjust as needed
⚠️ Important notes
Line type assignment required: The lines in your roof model must have a line type assignment. A 'None' line type will not create a zone offset. Ensure all relevant lines have appropriate line type assignments before inserting zones.
Zone Option settings: Field zones are inserted automatically based on your Zone Option settings. Configure these settings before inserting field zones to ensure proper zone placement.