Dave Holleran is the senior manager of sales, Solar Technologies for Motech Americas.
By Dave Holleran, Special to Solar Power World
Recent news of Class A Fire Regulations being enforced by the state of California may seem a far-off concern for many of the 23 additional U.S. states facing similar guidelines, but the purported Jan. 1 mandatory enforcement date by California does not mean there is time to wait.
In fact, the opposite is the case. Technically speaking, the new California code has some months yet before it will formally be enforced. However, on a municipal or county-by-county basis, the code is already being enforced, and only those installers who can meet the requirements —currently met only by a combination of racking systems from SolarDock and solar panels from Motech — are literally the only way to be compliant.
Basically, this configuration is the only Class A Fire rated PV system on the market. What’s more, as regional/local counties/municipalities of the other 23 states with the restrictions in place (in particular where photovotalic installations are rising quickly) means that ramping up to meet these specifications is now a time-pressured necessity for installers that want to compete.
What Prompted The Heightened Classification?
According to the Solar America Board for Codes and Standards, fire and code officials, along with members of the roofing industry, have expressed concerns in the last few years that installation of photovoltaic (PV) modules in stand-off configuration over typical roof coverings may affect the fire resistance of the roofs. For that reason, and with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) developed a test plan to investigate the fire resistance properties of this configuration.
“In addition to this scrutiny, and thanks to a recently increasing number of high profile fires, there’s been a greater focus on the solar industry’s role in fire safety,” says Scott Johnson, founder of SolarDock.“That’s why SolarDock made completing the UL 1703/2703 Fire Performance Tests its focus for 2014. With many areas already enforcing these changes, and, with the Motech/SolarDock Class A Fire Rating in place, solar installers nationwide have an option to turn to right now to remain competitive.”
Johnson also explained that the testing criteria used by SolarDock was an important foundation in having the firm’s racking systems (combined with the Motech panels) attain the Class A specification. These included such details as:
- Testing to UL 2703 and ANSI/ UL 1703 standards for Fire Testing, with a Class C Fire Rate Crystalline-silicon solar module.
- The module, SolarDock racking and roof deck were all tested in combination. The module’s fire rating was Class C. The roof deck’s fire rating was Class A.
- Three spread-of-flame tests were performed — north, east and south orientation. Spread of flame results for all three tests: <18 inches.
- The flame-spread distance on the roof deck baseline tests had an average of 44.2 inches.
- When tested in combination as a system, the flame spread was actually reduced with the system on the roof.
- Two burning tests were performed. The first was direct on the module surface and was a Class A brand (the largest brand) and a passing grade was obtained. The second was the burning brand on interstitial space, and a passing grade was obtained. The only brand test that is available for Interstitial is a Class B brand. So the result was both an A and B class rating for burning brand.
“The Class A System Fire Class Rating is only relevant for PV modules or panels with mounting systems in combination with fire rated roof covering,” says Dave Holleran, Senior Manager of Module Sales for Motech Americas. “PV mounting systems may be tested with specific “types”of modules as characterized in accordance with UL 1703, paragraph. 16.4.1. In fact, Underwriters Laboratories is presently working on a standard practices guideline for racking-and-mounting like the SolarDock/Motech combination.
“By adopting this change now, installers generally can get a real head start on being more commercially established in the new regulations as this development spreads across the country,” he added.
This all comes into play with states that are adopting 2015 IBC at the end of the year, like New Jersey, will have the same requirements as 2012 IBC regarding PV system fire ratings. The current proposed revision to IFC for 2015 IFC has a requirement for Class A fire rating for rooftop PV systems.
UL 2703 is in final voting stages and expected to be implemented in late summer/early fall. This includes not only testing for electrical ground path, but also mechanical loading (will rate systems A –through C depending on how much load it can handle. Higher snow zones will require the higher rated racks), component-strength testing, and fire testing — amongst others.
Finally, insurance companies are in the process of creating a rating system for PV systems — not only for insurance for PV systems but also property-and-casualty insurance for buildings. So a building might have an A rated rooftop/roof structure, but has a C or unrated rooftop PV system. Insurance premiums on the building for P&C will be adjusted up to reflect the risk of the PV system on the rooftop.”
Critical Guidelines To Consider
Like any fire rating classification change, there is often the potential for uncertainty or misinterpretation, which can easily result in complications for the installer/specifier. For that reason, the following are some important details to bear in mind when determining critical steps to compliance:
- Are there certain configurations in which modules must be installed on roofs to be considered more safe from fires?
If a rooftop is on fire, panels will eventually burn. It’s a matter of how quickly they burn and whether they increase the spread of flame. Now modules can be installed in a manner that limits the potential for the system to create a fire. All wiring can be encapsulated so it doesn’t run the risk of fraying and creating an electrical arc. The system can have redundant grounding. Encapsulating the modules or adding a back deflector can stop rooftop debris/tinder from accumulating underneath the system.
- What do solar installers need to know most about the key issues? How do the new requirements help them to avoid issues?
Typically, poor wire management and grounding, using the modules frame as a ground path, etc. are all issues. The new design standard was created with the intent of giving firefighters the ability to more efficiently fight fires on the roof or on the arrays. To avoid issues installers need to become more aware of the problems, codes (both CA and IBC), and be more proactive in addressing them during the project planning stage.
“With new regulations already impacting the industry so rigorously, installers need to be aware that now is the time to get ready,” Holleran says. Compliance is becoming more and more enforced in different regions, so waiting is just not a viable option if you are to stay competitive.”
Dave Holleran is the senior manager of sales, Solar Technologies for Motech Americas. He has worked in the solar industry since 2003.