Improvement of the fire-proofing and fire-resistance properties of PV modules for building's exterior walls

Abstract

Research was conducted to investigate the fire-proofing and fire-resistance properties of a curtain-wall-type PV module for a building's exterior walls. Several types of fluoroplastics were found to have a potential for application as fire-proofing cell encapsulation materials that can replace EVA. By using a cone calorimeter, decreases in total heat evolved and delays in ignition time were seen as the limiting oxygen index of cell encapsulation materials increased in the order of EVA, and fluoroplastics-A and B. From the test results of fire resistance tests using actual PV modules, the flames were found to be weaker with fluoroplastics compared with the case of EVA. Those also corresponded with the result of a cone calorimeter. Fluoroplastics were found to be more advantageous as fire-proofing cell encapsulation materials.