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| Incident response tactics for solar photovoltaic systems |
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| Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming more prevalent and sophisticated. Firefighters and other first responders need to understand and keep current with these systems to ensure operational safety and situational awareness. Use the tips below to help equip your team to respond to incidents involving PV systems. |
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| Potential PV hazards |
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Contact with a PV system can cause electrical shock, serious burns and death. |
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Fires involving PV systems with battery storage can generate toxic and explosive gases. Batteries retain stored energy and can reignite hours or days after the initial event. |
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Firefighting operations are complicated by the additional weight of a PV array on a weakening roof and the inability to ventilate through PV panels or tiles.
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| PV operational considerations |
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A PV array can generate electricity when damaged, during inclement weather and when illuminated at night by scene lighting, lightning or an active flame front. |
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An array can accelerate fire growth and induce rapid structural failure. |
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Most voltage detection devices used by fire service agencies cannot detect the direct current (DC) present in PV components. |
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| Critical operational tactics |
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As you initiate response, always confirm that PPL Electric Utilities has been dispatched. |
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Upon arrival, conduct a 360-degree size-up and note any PV systems. |
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Always assume PV arrays and system components are energized. Identify and isolate all PV components and shut down the system. |
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You may request that the meter be shut off remotely. |
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Update your team regularly about the PV system’s status. |
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| Fighting a PV fire |
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Always wear full PPE and SCBA. |
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Position crews at the corners of the structure or beyond the collapse zone whenever possible. Ensure those operating on the roof or inside the structure have a clear escape route away from PV components. |
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Never walk on or break PV panels or roof tiles. Never open, touch or cut any PV components or wiring; you could be shocked and seriously injured. |
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Use ONLY tested opaque salvage tarps to stop a PV array’s generation of electricity. |
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Consider horizontal ventilation as an alternative to rooftop operations. |
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Never use a straight stream or foam; contain small fires with Class C extinguishing agents. To control larger fires, apply water in a 30-degree fog pattern at 100 psi at least 30 feet from the energized source. |
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Always keep yourself and all tools and equipment at least three feet away from PV components. |
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Conduct thorough decontamination after any exposure to a PV component combustion. |
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| Would you like to know more? |
| Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and safety education tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on PPL Electric Utilities’ e-SMARTresponders website. |
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