Dangers Of Solar Panels And Fire Fighters

A 300 000 square foot refrigerated warehouse in delanco n j burned down last week and the local fire chief says solar panels are partly to blame.

Dangers of solar panels and fire fighters.

Although natural hazards such as overvoltage power surges lightning may play a significant role wrongly sized and defective equipment can also be a big culprit behind the fire. A 2010 report by the fire protection research foundation found that slipping or tripping on solar panels were potential hazards for firefighters as well as the possibility of the roof collapse. Solar panels and batteries contain toxic chemicals that may be released in a fire and are dangerous if inhaled. Much inaccurate information about pv and firefighter safety has been published on the internet recently even to the point of recommendations to let it burn if solar panels are spotted on a roof.

Pv modules may become slippery and pose a slip and fall risk to inspectors technicians and firefighters. Unfortunately solar panels reduce the area available on the roof for vents. No the 700 solar panels on top of the dietz. There can be numerous reasons for solar panels causing a house fire.

Solar panels are everywhere from tiny squares powering roadside signs to rooftops shining with panels harvesting sunlight for electricity but they are presenting new challenges.