Maryland House fire with Solar Panels

Photo Courtesy: Mark Ensor, EVD BAVFC

Firefighters from Abingdon Fire Company, The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. (Official) and Aberdeen Proving Ground FD have the Winterberry Drive fire under control (20min). One civilian male taken to a regional hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Media: Jenn will be POC for your calls. Rich/Jenn

Original Source: HarfordÂ CountyÂ MdÂ FireÂ &Â EMSÂ PIOÂ MediaÂ Page

Comments from their facebook post:

“Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. (Official)We absolutely stay away from them. Venting the roof (cutting a hole) cannot be completed. The panels conduct electricity and offer a huge weight concern. Fortunately the back side of the roof did not have panels, so we were able to remove the superheated gases from that side instead.”

“Harford County Md Fire & EMS PIO Media PageGreat question Missy Marsh Braun ! It plays a big role in ff operations. If the ffs have to go to the roof to cut a hole for ventilation the panels make it very difficult to do so. If those crews operating inside cant get that ventilation then things can turn tragic. In addition this is a live electrical system and must be dealt with very cautiously. There is a large concern over solar panels and ff safety ongoing, no just in Harford Co but throughout the nation. RichG”

FirefighterÂ Solar Training Resources:

Videos by Matt Paiss

UL Online Training Course:

(Click on Photo for link)

Reports:

Firefighter Safety & Photovoltaic Installations Research Project

NFPA Firefighter Safety & Emergency Response for Solar Power Systems

California Fire â€“ Office Of State Fire Marshal has provided coursework for how firefighters can better understand and respond to these incidents.Â Download Course Information.

Orange CountyÂ Guideline for Fire Safety Elements of Solar Photovoltaic Systems

This brochure from Duke EnergyÂ is designed for fire personnel responding to a fire where rooftop- and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have been installed.

Articles:

http://www.homepower.com/articles/solar-electricity/equipment-products/pv-safety-and-firefighting

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-162/issue-1/features/the-impact-of-solar-energy-on-firefighting.html

Website:

Office of State Fire Marshal CalFire Photovoltaic

Hands-On Training Company:

Energy Response Solutions

Green Maltese PV links:

http://www.greenmaltese.com/2014/06/20/worlds-first-integrated-solar-system-generates-electricity-and-heat/

http://greenmaltese.com/2013/05/solar-panel-cause-of-fire-at-webster-groves-high-school/

http://greenmaltese.com/2011/12/photovoltaic-systems-firefighter-safety-a-new-ul-study/

http://greenmaltese.com/2011/10/colorado-is-the-first-market-for-launch-of-the-revolutionary-dow-powerhousetm-solar-shingle/