PV modules on buildings – Outlines of PV roof samples fire rating assessment

Abstract

The photovoltaic (PV) systems fire risk has grown up reaching a size that is no more negligible. PV fire events have happened mostly on systems installed on residential and industrial buildings and they have set in motion a process mainly aimed at developing product and installation regulations focused on the minimization of that risk. Such a process is growing up with the participation of different actors (authorities having jurisdiction, standardization bodies, PV modules manufacturers, installers, etc.). In this regard, in Italy a first result has been achieved by some new regulations issued by the Italian National Fire Rescue and Service – CNVVF – of the Ministry of Interior focusing on PV modules and roofs coupling, which contain procedures to categorize when a PV installation could be considered safe. To this end, such measures contain reminders to some national reaction to fire technical standards which, however, were developed in the past for products other than PV modules (e.g. wall panels, etc.). The research activity summarized in this paper was carried out in the last years and it was focused essentially on: analysis of Italian and European legal regulations and technical standards about the PV fire risk and identification of their shortcomings; development of new test protocols focused on PV roofs fire rating (based on some of the existing construction products harmonized standards). In particular, the test protocols are using PV roof samples with both PV modules and roof specimens.