Class A Fire Rated Solar Panels

Solar abcs research investigates whether and how the presence of stand off mounted pv arrays may affect the fire class rating of common roof covering materials.

Class a fire rated solar panels.

The general requirement for roofing systems in the ibc refers to a class c fire rating. In the absence of a fire rating for pv systems it may seem appropriate to use the fire rating of the pv modules in order to ensure the desired result of retaining the roof assembly s original fire classification. Some solar panels for example include a backing of highly combustible plastic. On november 25 2014 the california state fire marshal issued information bulletin 14 011 which states where class a or class b roofing is required the photovoltaic solar system photovoltaic panels with the rack support system shall have a class a or class b rating respectively.

For this purpose both roof integrated pv modules and also modules for roof parallel installation are subjected to flame treatment from the upper surface. The pv modules are rated in classes a b or c whereby class c comprises the minimum requirements. I ve heard that several ahjs are now going in this direction. 19 2014 that we believe are inaccurate.

Recently these fire resistance standards were expanded to include solar equipment as part of the roof system. In the article the author states that racking systems from solardock and solar panels. The pv system consists of the racking system and the pv solar panels module as an assembly. Required tests for system fire class rating of pv module or panel with mounting system in combination with roof coverings table 31 2 test tests over representative roof coverings class aclass bclass c spread of flame on top surface of module or panel section 31 1 2 a flame spread less than.

Is it true that solar panels must have a fire rating that is equal to what is required of the roofing material. Class a or b is required for areas such as wildland urban interface areas wui and very high fire severity areas. Specifically this requires the modules mounting hardware and roof covering to be tested together as. Where is a class a fire rating required.

Several people involved in the creation of the new fire regulations respond to this article. Class a fire rating background all roofing products are tested and classified for their ability to resist fire. Fire class rating of pv systems. In particular these tests were initiated in response to questions from stakeholders about the language in the ul guide card that stated that pv modules.

I understand that there has been a change in the requirements for california regarding the fire ratings pv panels modules are required to be minimum class b fire rated. In laboratory based fire tests of roof assemblies 1 2 the maximum allowable fire spread is between approximately 20 and 40 ft 2 1 9 and 3 7 m 2 depending on whether an a b or c rating is desired. We are writing to address several statements in the recent solar power world article titled new class a fire regulations closer than you think published aug.