Firefighters and Solar

I showed the OP's link to a friend who is a former firefighter (he said he'd already seen it) and his comment was that for a properly trained firefighter, the main problem was with panels installed too close together for them to cut ventilation holes in the roof to let out smoke and toxic gases. This can result in danger of flashover or backdraft flare for firefighters entering the building.

 

Transformers in service entries all have fuses and disconnects at the trans before the service conductors. De-energizing a service is quite easy using a "hot stick" to pull the fuse. Overhead, you can look up and see the hinged fuse on the transformer. Underground, you need to open the transformer vault. Who is "authorized" to pull the fuses may be different with different jurisdictions, but my guess is that most fire depts work very closely with the power companies, and may indeed be authorized to do so. An overhead fuse can be shot out with a pellet gun if you are really good!

It might be nice if people actually knew what they were talking about. No "cutting of the wires" is required.

Hot stick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fuse cutout - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Icarus

 

Once again a false arguement! PV is never installed either on 100% of a roof, and typically only on the south facet of a gable roof, leaving the opposite side free for vent holes. On a flat roof, like a commercial building (and some residences) panel arrays are spaced to prevent one set of PV from shading the one behind, also allowing plenty of area for venting.

PV installations are really not much a problem either for fire fighters, nor for a significant risk increase for a fire to happen (as a result of a PV installation) if it is properly installed.

Icarus

 

Not sure why you're flagging this as a false argument. Perhaps I passed it on poorly. He was basically supporting your position that PV is NOT a major problem for firefighters if it is installed properly. A poorly installed system is where problems come in. e.g. Panels installed too close together on a south facing roof where there isn't a north facing slope to the roof...it drops straight down to lower level or ground. Now that is NOT a common architecture design, but it does occur. And just because it does occur is no reason why firefighters should/would fear solar installations.

 

Gotcha,

A proper NEC PV install, takes into account NFPA issues as well I beleive, as most electical issues have effects on fire protection. Just as a roof installation needs structural integrity and in most jurisdictions needs a structural permit as well as an electrical permit (some are combined) leading to most installs not being much of a problem for firefighters.

Just as a steel roof presents problems for fire fighters that are not there for comp or wood roofs, (steel gets very slippery , especially when wet!) it is just one of the perils that firefighters face.

Icarus