Class A Fire Rated Solar Panels

We are writing to address several statements in the recent solar power world article titled new class a fire regulations closer than you think published aug.

Class a fire rated solar panels.

Recently these fire resistance standards were expanded to include solar equipment as part of the roof system. On november 25 2014 the california state fire marshal issued information bulletin 14 011 which states where class a or class b roofing is required the photovoltaic solar system photovoltaic panels with the rack support system shall have a class a or class b rating respectively. A properly designed and installed solar panel system with correctly operating equipment presents no fire hazard to your home. The pv modules are rated in classes a b or c whereby class c comprises the minimum requirements.

Where is a class a fire rating required. Solar abcs research investigates whether and how the presence of stand off mounted pv arrays may affect the fire class rating of common roof covering materials. How do solar panels catch on fire. In particular these tests were initiated in response to questions from stakeholders about the language in the ul guide card that stated that pv modules.

Ul 1703 fire classification requirements. Some solar panels for example include a backing of highly combustible plastic. Class a fire rating background all roofing products are tested and classified for their ability to resist fire. This is what some authorities having jurisdiction ahj have done.

The pv system consists of the racking system and the pv solar panels module as an assembly. 19 2014 that we believe are inaccurate. In the absence of a fire rating for pv systems it may seem appropriate to use the fire rating of the pv modules in order to ensure the desired result of retaining the roof assembly s original fire classification. Fire class rating of pv systems.

Required tests for system fire class rating of pv module or panel with mounting system in combination with roof coverings table 31 2 test tests over representative roof coverings class aclass bclass c spread of flame on top surface of module or panel section 31 1 2 a flame spread less than. Specifically this requires the modules mounting hardware and roof covering to be tested together as. Just like the 44 000 electrical fires that happen every year a solar panel fire is the result of a malfunction. The general requirement for roofing systems in the ibc refers to a class c fire rating.

In the article the author states that racking systems from solardock and solar panels. For this purpose both roof integrated pv modules and also modules for roof parallel installation are subjected to flame treatment from the upper surface. In laboratory based fire tests of roof assemblies 1 2 the maximum allowable fire spread is between approximately 20 and 40 ft 2 1 9 and 3 7 m 2 depending on whether an a b or c rating is desired.