Solar Panel Fire Fighting

Much inaccurate information about pv and firefighter safety has been published on the internet recently even to the point of recommendations to let it burn if solar panels are spotted on a roof.

Solar panel fire fighting. Although the flames were finally extinguished after 29 hours the building was completely destroyed. Today in the united states demand for solar is at an all time high and the fire service must become educated and trained on the. Currently the national fire incident reporting system does not detail how many structure fires included a solar array or how many firefighters have been injured fighting fires in solar powered. Fire and solar photovoltaic pv systems.

Investigations and evidence interim report pdf 2 86mb 60 pages this file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. 1 2 courtesy of u s. Today s solar panels tend to be very strong. Fire fighting in buildings and structures involving solar power systems utilizing solar panels that generate thermal and or electrical energy with a particular focus on solar photovoltaic panels used for electric power generation.

In 2013 rooftop solar panels caused firefighters to change tactics while fighting a fire at a 300 000 square foot delanco new jersey meat warehouse. Another big concern that bothers most people is how well firefighters are capable of controlling a house fire with solar panels. Fire fighter safety and response for solar power systems october 2013 this report focuses on structural firefighting in buildings with solar panels that generate thermal and or electrical energy with a particular focus on solar pv panels used for electric power generation. Symposium on fire protection for a changing world april 2016.

Foremost among these are the hazards posed to firefighters when a building fitted with solar panels catches fire.