PVProtect Protection of Roofs with Photovoltaic Installations
Roof Fire Protection with Solar Panels
DANGER LOOKS ON THE DECK
The roofs of many industrial and commercial buildings are currently equipped or retrofitted with photovoltaic installations to harness solar energy.
When these systems fail and the roof insulation ignites, the fire can quickly spread throughout the roof structure.
Since smoke is easily dispersed by the action of the wind and the flames are hardly visible from below, this type of fire is detected late and spreads quickly over a large surface area of the roof.
The consequences can be serious damage to infrastructure, in addition to high costs for interruption of operations, repairs and the acquisition of spare parts, if it is not achieved. the complete destruction of the building.
The PVProtect fire fighting system protects lives and property from devastating fires, through a comprehensive protection system.
Linear Heat Detection (LHD) systems monitor the area beneath the photovoltaic modules, analyzing abnormal temperature elevations.
If a fire is detected in this way, PVProtect locates it and automatically starts fighting the fire in the affected area of the roof.
Through the opening of the deluge valve, water flows through the pipes and is distributed evenly by special photovoltaic nozzles.
At the same time, the system notifies emergency services and emits a warning signal that allows safe evacuation of building personnel.
ADVANTAGES OF INSTALLING FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS ON ROOFS WITH PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS:
- It can protect the cover against extensive damage caused by a fire.
- It helps minimize significant expenses resulting from service interruptions and loss of billing.
- It is especially suitable for protecting roofs covered by flammable insulating materials.
- Can be integrated into existing sprinkler installations.
- Improves the risk of general accidents of buildings with photovoltaic installations.
SCOPE OF APPLICATION ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ROOFS:
ACCORDING TO WATERPROOFING
- Plastic waterproofing rails.
- Asphalt lanes or other waterproofing that contains asphalt.
- PUR sandwich elements (all fire protection classes).
- Roof joints and non-flammable roof constructions.
ACCORDING TO INSULATION
- Mineral wool or other non-flammable insulating materials.
- PUR/PIR with certificate according to standard B-s2-d0.
- PUR/PS or other flammable insulating materials.
The scope of application does not include green roofs in the context of a photovoltaic installation, since here it is necessary to start from an absorbent substrate.
The PVProtect system has been certified based on tests with wind speeds of approximately 3 m/s.
As with all water-based extinguishing systems installed outdoors, higher wind speeds can make detection difficult and significantly influence water distribution.
ACCORDING TO THE ORIENTATION OF THE ROOF AND THE PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
With the PVProtect installation you can protect roofs and photovoltaic modules within the following geometric limits:
- The surface of the roof can be oriented between 0° and 10° with respect to the horizontal.
- The photovoltaic modules can be oriented between 0° and 45° with respect to the horizontal.
ACCORDING TO THE INCLINATION ANGLE OF THE PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
The orientation and inclination angle of the photovoltaic modules can be selected independently of the orientation and inclination angle of the roof surface, for example, rotated by 90°.
- Maximum length L of the photovoltaic modules: 3 m
- Maximum width B of the photovoltaic modules: 1.5 m
AREA PROTECTED BY THE PVPROTECT EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM
The area protected by PVProtect INCLUDES:
- The roof surface below the photovoltaic modules, including the photovoltaic wiring installed there.
- A security zone around the photovoltaic modules.
- Optionally, the roof surface in the wiring area between the photovoltaic modules and the converters.
- The roof surface outside the zone with the photovoltaic modules and the security zone.
- The wiring outside the area of the photovoltaic modules.
- Other electrical installations on the roof, such as converters, electricity consumption meters...
- Installations outside the roof structure.
TYPICAL FIRE DAMAGES ON A ROOF WITH AND WITHOUT PVPROTECT
FIRE SPREAD WITH PVPROTECT
- Sensors on the sensing cable detect the initial fire.
- Firefighting starts immediately automatically.
- Photovoltaic nozzles distribute water evenly over the surface of the roof.
- Fire damage and, consequently, downtime are considerably reduced.
FIRE SPREAD WITHOUT PVPROTECT
- The initial fire is not discovered.
- It can spread through covering and insulation, appearing in unexpected places.
- This can cause serious damage, prolonged downtime and high repair costs and operational interruption.
ROOF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM FEATURES
1
NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT
To achieve sufficient water distribution in the protected area, special photovoltaic nozzles are installed and a minimum pressure of 1.5 bar is supplied.
The arrangement of the PV nozzles adapts to the in situ geometric relationship to minimize obstacles to spraying.
2
TUBERÍAS
The assembly of PVProtect pipes is carried out:
- In the support structure of the photovoltaic installation.
- Through the constructions that rest on the roof.
The facility user/owner must approve that:
- The support structure of the photovoltaic installation is suitable for the additional weight of water pipes, supports, etc., as well as for the dynamic loads due to the filling process.
- The roof and building structure are suitable for the additional loads through the PVProtect installation.
To supply the photovoltaic nozzles outside, pipes made of galvanized steel, stainless steel or suitable pipe systems recognized by VdS are installed.
3
Water supply and operating time
The design of the water supply is carried out in accordance with VdS 2109, at least in the form of a simple water supply.
When designing the water supply, the total active surface of the PVProtect installation must be taken into account. A simultaneous supply of the PVProtect system and water-based extinguishing systems to the building is only planned if necessary according to the building regulations.
If necessary, the protected area is divided into several active surfaces of the group with separate water mist stations to reduce water demand or adapt the available water supply to the power. In this case, the adjacent active surfaces of the group are activated jointly in the event of a fire.
Operating time:
The water supply must be able to supply the total active surface for an operating time of at least 60 minutes with the required pressure and flow rate.
4
Fire alarm system
The PVProtect installation is controlled by a Minimax fire detection and extinguishing center recognized by VdS.
Detection is carried out with a linear heat detector (LWM) mentioned in the system approval, which is fixed in the upper area of the photovoltaic installation.
Therefore, arranging the PV modules in double rows (see above) implies greater installation effort or the need to install the detectors during the installation phase of the PV modules.
In the event of a fire, the plant owner must measure a signal from the PVProtect plant to the alarm, for example, to initiate evacuation measures.
Disconnecting devices:
In the event of a fire, the user/owner of the facility can measure a signal from the fire detection and extinguishing center to the disconnection of devices, for example, from ventilation systems.
5
Potential compensation
The user / owner of the installation must connect all conductive parts of the PVProtect installation with each other, as well as connect them to the potential equalization system.
6
Lightning protection
The facility owner must:
- Integrate all technical installations, such as the PVProtect system, into the available lightning protection system, if applicable.
- Take measures to ensure adequate lightning protection for the building with a PVProtect installation.
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