Firefighter Safety
Firefighter safety dealing with photovoltaic has been on the rise due to the rise of green construction. There have been many safety concerns for dealing with firefighting operations. The tactical objectives must change when in countering photovoltaic materials along with the dead load and how they effect the structural intregrety of the building. There are many safety concerns when dealing with photovoltaic materials. The risk of electrical shock from high voltage is high, trips and slips occur due to the fact that the system is comprised of metal, glass, conduit and cable which become slippery when wet. In some cases parts of the PV system protrude out of the roof making it hard to see in dark and/or smoky conditions. The weight of the
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There is also a risk to flow water on the energized systems. Avoid direct hose streams on the system. A 100 psi is needed at the nozzle. A fog spray should be set to a 30 degree fog pattern at 100 psi and the firefighters should hit the fire from at least 33 ft away from the energized source. Straight streams and foam should not be used due to being a great conductor for energy. Also be aware of run off which may run into those PV systems that are on the ground. Overhaul should be done when the system has been totally de-engergized due to the hidden hazards that are hiding in the walls. A risk verses benefit may need to be taken in consideration with PV systems. If the PV system is the source of the fire than fire strategy should be to protect exposers. Any tools that are used during operations should be non-conductive tools. With an added dead load to a structure it increase the time and rate at which a roof could collapse. PV systems are designed on light weight building construction materials they are not intended to with stand fire conditions. The number of roof layers is limited to no more than 2 layers due to weight limits allowed on the roof. Snow and debris add to the dead weight load that the roof is having to support. Windy days also are a problem, the arrays act like sails pulling against the roof structure. There is also the concrete ballast system that is used to ancor. Theses systems weigh
There is also a risk to flow water on the energized systems. Avoid direct hose streams on the system. A 100 psi is needed at the nozzle. A fog spray should be set to a 30 degree fog pattern at 100 psi and the firefighters should hit the fire from at least 33 ft away from the energized source. Straight streams and foam should not be used due to being a great conductor for energy. Also be aware of run off which may run into those PV systems that are on the ground. Overhaul should be done when the system has been totally de-engergized due to the hidden hazards that are hiding in the walls. A risk verses benefit may need to be taken in consideration with PV systems. If the PV system is the source of the fire than fire strategy should be to protect exposers. Any tools that are used during operations should be non-conductive tools. With an added dead load to a structure it increase the time and rate at which a roof could collapse. PV systems are designed on light weight building construction materials they are not intended to with stand fire conditions. The number of roof layers is limited to no more than 2 layers due to weight limits allowed on the roof. Snow and debris add to the dead weight load that the roof is having to support. Windy days also are a problem, the arrays act like sails pulling against the roof structure. There is also the concrete ballast system that is used to ancor. Theses systems weigh