Photovoltaic (Solar Panel) Electrical Systems (AUC 351)

Question 1

Greatest Hazard of these Systems..?

Answer 1

DC- direct current shock

Question 2

Which system has fewer safety features..?

Answer 2

RESIDENTIAL

Question 3

Which arrays may be difficult or impossible to detect during nighttime hours?

Answer 3

INTEGRATED

FLUSH MOUNTED ARRAYS

Question 4

Firefighters must avoid____ on modules, since this can expose them to electric shock?

Answer 4

WALKING

Question 5

When do we cut wires associated with a PV?

Answer 5

NEVER

Question 6

Shutting off power at the main electrical panel….?

Answer 6

does NOT ensure that all power to the building has been removed

Question 7

Where are PV disconnect (isolation) switches located?

Answer 7

roof
next to main electrical panel
adjacent to the inverter
nearby the charge controller
battery bank area
outside the building

Question 8

OPENING PV DISCONNECT SWITCHES…?

Answer 8

DOES NOT ENSURE POWER IS OFF

Question 9

Rooftop disconnects…?

Answer 9

should not be relied upon

Question 10

Shut off electrical power to….?

Answer 10

INVERTER (inverters do have capacitors that store energy, however this energy will discharge soon after power to inverter is disconnected)

Question 11

Firefighters discovering PV arrays at fires and emergencies, shall immediately..?

Answer 11

NOTIFY COMPANY OFFICER AND IC

Question 12

For top floor/cockloft fires in non-fireproof buildings where fire is beneath the PV array..?

Answer 12

roof venting options, including power saws, may NOT BE POSSIBLE
cutting roof must be limited to areas, that are CLEAR OF PV ARRAYS AND OTHER COMPONENTS

-Ladder Ops INSIDE the building should be directed toward opening ceilings to define boundaries of fire

Question 13

For top floor/cockloft fires in non-fireproof buildings where fire is beneath the PV array..?

Answer 13

roof venting options, including power saws, may NOT BE POSSIBLE
cutting roof must be limited to areas, that are CLEAR OF PV ARRAYS AND OTHER COMPONENTS

Question 14

The decision to use Water on energized PV system, can only be made by…?

Answer 14

IC

Question 15

HOW SHOULD WATER BE APPLIED?

Answer 15

FOG NOZLE, UTILIZED FROM A DISTANCE AND SET AT 30 DEGREE SPRAY PATTERN

Question 16

Straight streams or Foam…?

Answer 16

should NOT BE USED

Question 17

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS COULD ADD..?

Answer 17

THOUSANDS OF POUNDS TO ROOF SURFACE

Question 18

Removal of modules by FF’s is…?

Answer 18

NOT AN OPTION

utility company and licensed solar power installer/electrician should be contacted

Question 19

Incipient Fires can be extinguished using?

Answer 19

CLASS C (dry chemical) portable extinguishers

Question 20

Batteris involved in a fire, generate?

Answer 20

explosive, flammable, toxic and corrosive gases
full PPE
dry chem or foam may be effective on battery fires

Question 21

Combiner boxe_____be open by FF’s, in attempt to shutdown the PV array?

Answer 21

SHOULD NOT BE OPENED BY FF’S

Question 22

Wires running from the array to the power distribution system, should ALWAYS be considered ?

Answer 22

LIVE, unless there is a disconnect on the PV array itself

Question 23

On buildings with sloped roofs/PV arrays will generally be installed on …?

Answer 23

SOUTH AND WEST FACING SIDES

Question 24

When FF’s are working in close proximity to a PV system…?

Answer 24

SAFETY OFFICER should be assigned to the roof

Question 25

Company Officers on BISP, or other outside activities, finding a HAZARDOUS condition relative to a PV system, that is IMMINENTLY PERILOUS TO MEMBERS OR OCCUPANTS DUE TO SIZE, LOCATION, ARRANGEMENT, DEFECTS, OR LACK OF MAINTENANCE, should?

Answer 25

request the response of the ADMINISTRATIVE BC

Question 26

Buildings with PV systems should be...?

Answer 26

entered into CIDS

Question 27

CIDS entries should include?

Answer 27

``` PV array on roof limited roof ops pv disconnects located at batter storage system located backup generator located installer contact number ```

Question 28

All electrical PV array systems should be treated as...?

Answer 28

ENERGIZED | they do not turn off by flip of a switch

Question 29

Integrated design...

Answer 29

serves as structural element (roof, wall, canopy or skylight) and REDUCES concentrations of added weight

Question 30

Flush Mounted...

Answer 30

used with SMALL solar arrays and PEAKED roofs

Question 31

Stand mount systems must be installed to..? | also known as UNIVERSAL mounting

Answer 31

withstand loads...used with LARGER solar panel systems

Question 32

Stand mount systems must be installed to..? | also known as UNIVERSAL mounting

Answer 32

withstand loads...used with LARGER solar panel systems

Question 33

The IC should delay overhaul...?

Answer 33

until CONFIRMATION that PV system has been shutdown

Question 34

The IC should delay overhaul...?

Answer 34

until CONFIRMATION that PV system has been shutdown

Question 35

Cells...

Answer 35

photovoltaic cell is the device that converts the sun's light energy into electricity by means of the photovoltaic effect

Question 36

Module...

Answer 36

a module (solar panel) is an interconnected assembly of photovoltaic cells...cells are arranged in a grid like pattern on the surface of the module

Question 37

Array...

Answer 37

modules in a PV array are normally first connected in SERIES to obtain correct voltage for the system (residential 600 volts are common)...individual leads are then connected in PARALLEL to allow system to add more amperage

Question 38

Array...

Answer 38

modules in a PV array are normally first connected in SERIES to obtain correct voltage for the system (residential 600 volts are common)...individual leads are then connected in PARALLEL to allow system to add more amperage

Question 39

PV arrays CAN PRODUCE ELECTRICITY on CLOUDY DAYS, not as much as on sunny days...but ...

Answer 39

DO NOT produce electricity at night

Question 40

PRIME FOCUS of LADDER OPS...

Answer 40

opening/removal of skylights and scuttles, as well as horizontal ventilation

Question 41

PRIME FOCUS of LADDER OPS...

Answer 41

opening/removal of skylights and scuttles, as well as horizontal ventilation

Question 42

FF's discovering PV arrays at fires and EMERGENCIES should IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY...

Answer 42

their Company Officer and IC for relay to all members also, Inform IC if PV system is involved in FIRE and if it will negatively IMPACT VERTICAL VENT. OPERATIONS