Photovoltaic Installations 205.20B

Question 1

What is The expected voltage on a residential with PV?

Answer 1

Up to 600 volts DC

Question 2

What is the expected Voltage for a commercial with PV system?

Answer 2

1000 volts DC

Question 3

What is the expected voltage for utility installations?

Answer 3

1500 volts DC

Question 4

Once converted through an inverter 1500 volts DC current becomes?

Answer 4

35,000 volts of AC current

Question 5

What does BESS stand for?

Answer 5

Battery energy storage system

Question 6

If it has been determined there is a residence with a PV system that has a BESS as part of the installation what steps should be taken?

Answer 6

• Notify command, upgrade to 3-1 hazardous materials response, isolate area
• operate electrical disconnect to isolate battery system, remember there is still stranded energy.
• crews in full PPE SCBA with mask
• charged hose line in place
• isolate a minimum of 40 feet
• don’t park in front of house
• make sure no damage to battery pack
• contact vendor and battery management system BMS
• consider extended monitoring period of 12 hours for thermal runaway passive cooling period
• direct water application infective to do construction
  -temp reading every 10 minutes
• water is preferred for lithium ion battery fires
• RP must arrange for disposal and clean up
• command must notify RP and warn of risk of a secondary event and make notification over radio that notifications have been made

Question 7

PV panels or modules and be covered with what to stop generation of electricity?

Answer 7

Opaque tarps

Question 8

What are some indicator that a PV installation are present?

Answer 8

• Visible array of PV panels
• Conduit coming from roof
• Invertors mounted on a wall or the ground next to building electrical panel
• Signage found around the electrical system

Question 9

In order to fully secure utilities with PV a firefighter must?

Answer 9

• De-energize power coming into the building from utility company.
• De-energize electrical circuits leading from the PV system.
• Operate the rapid shut down switch to isolate the DC power for the PV system and confine
the power to the array.

Question 10

How do you fight fire for a PV array?

Answer 10

• Fog pattern delivered at a min 10 degree pattern
• min of 20 feet away
• only employed on PV installation up to 1000 volts

Question 11

Photovoltaic generating stations (utility stations)

Answer 11

• do not engage in any fire suppression
• isolate area
• remain outside fence line and protect exposures