Instituto de Mestrado em Energia Fotovoltaica
What Are Fire Safety Approvals for Photovoltaics and What Are the Consequences of Their Absence?
Photovoltaic installations have become a common sight in almost every part of the country. However, before joining the ranks of those benefiting from solar energy, it’s necessary to consider the fire safety of the photovoltaic installation. When is it necessary to report photovoltaic systems to the fire department, and how do you go about it? What are the regulations? How much do fire safety approvals cost? Does the location of the photovoltaic system matter? What are the penalties for not fulfilling the formalities? We answer these and other questions below.
What Does Fire Safety Approval Involve? Photovoltaics and Fire Protection Regulations
Although generally safe and reliable, a photovoltaic installation, like any electrical device, carries some risk of causing a fire. The design of a photovoltaic installation should account for this risk. This is not only a matter of common sense but also a requirement of applicable regulations.
The approval of a photovoltaic project by a fire safety expert is one of the fundamental formal steps that allow for the legal (and above all, safe!) use of the installation (download the list of fire safety experts). The second step is notifying the fire department about the photovoltaic installation, which always happens alongside the approval from the expert.
When Is Fire Safety Approval for Photovoltaics Required?
According to Article 29, Section 4, Point 3c of the Construction Law of July 7, 1994 (Journal of Laws 1994, No. 89, item 414), the requirement to have a photovoltaic installation approved by a fire safety expert depends on the total capacity of the installation. This requirement applies when the installed electrical capacity exceeds 65 kW. Installed capacity refers to the total power of all photovoltaic modules, as determined by the value on the nameplate. The power generated by the inverter is not included in this calculation.
It is worth noting that the location of the installation does not matter — the approval applies equally to rooftop and ground installations, even if the safety measures may differ between them. The regulations also do not specify the size or intended use of the building where the installation is located.
As for the fire safety project, the photovoltaic system must be approved for fire protection before construction begins. The entire responsibility for fulfilling these formalities rests with the investor.
When Is It Necessary to Notify the Fire Department About a Photovoltaic Installation?
Fire safety is crucial for any photovoltaic investment. The purpose of the fire safety approval is to compel investors to use safe design solutions, while notifying the State Fire Service is meant to streamline emergency response in case of fire.
The same capacity threshold that applies to approvals also applies to notifications — if the installation exceeds 65 kW, the notification is required. The difference is that the notification to the Fire Service doesn’t have to be made during the design stage; it can be done later, such as after the completion of the building, but before the installation is put into use.
What happens if you’ve installed a system with a capacity of 65 kW or less but want to expand it so that the total power exceeds this limit? In such cases, fire safety approval and notification to the Fire Service are required before the modernization work begins.
It’s important to note that photovoltaic systems should be equipped with fire safety measures even if they do not exceed the required capacity. In such cases, the system can, but does not have to be, approved and notified to the Fire Service.
Photovoltaic Fire Safety Documentation
A photovoltaic system equipped with proper fire protection is one thing, but it must also be installed based on an approved design and reported to the Fire Department. So, what should the project look like, and how should the notification be made?
Photovoltaic Installation Design
It consists of a descriptive and graphic part, focusing on elements affecting fire safety. Important aspects to consider include:
- Listing the type of installation and the components used in its construction (preferably with full specifications);
- Precisely defining the location of the installation — this applies even to rooftop variants, where it’s advisable to specify the floor level;
- Stating the capacity of the installation with appropriate calculations;
- Describing how the installation will be connected to the grid;
- Detailing the installation process;
- Describing fire safety aspects, such as the fire resistance of the components;
- Describing all factors that contribute to fire protection;
- Creating a schematic of the entire PV system — components, wires, and fire protection measures;
- Describing the lightning protection system;
- Including an installation plan for use by rescue services.
Notification to the State Fire Service
The Construction Law does not specify what a notification to the Fire Department should look like, but it’s recommended to include the following essential information:
- Legal basis — Article 29, Section 4, Point 3c of the Construction Law;
- Contact details of the investor;
- Name of the facility being reported;
- Address and detailed location information of the installation (ground or rooftop);
- Location of the inverter;
- Nominal capacity in kW;
- Building plan with the location of the photovoltaic modules highlighted.
Online templates are available (download the template for notification to the State Fire Service), and they often include additional information, but the details listed above should suffice. After submission, the Fire Department has 14 days to respond. After this period, the installation can be considered ready for use.
What Is the Fire Safety Approval Process for Photovoltaics Like?
Each fire safety expert reports to the General Command of the State Fire Service, and it is this body that determines how fire safety approval for photovoltaic systems should be conducted. The approval process itself is similar to that for other electrical devices. The following are subject to verification:
- Wiring methods of components responsible for generating direct current;
- Type of wiring and the quality of its protection;
- Type of inverter and its location;
- Location of switches;
- Methods of connecting the installation to circuits connected to the grid;
- Applied fire protection solutions and measures.
Each of these aspects is compared by the expert to current fire protection requirements. Occasionally, modifications must be made in areas indicated by the expert. Once the project is accepted and signed by the expert, the installation of the panels can proceed.
FAQ:
1. What is the penalty for not notifying the Fire Department about a photovoltaic installation and failing to obtain approval?
The biggest penalty for not notifying the Fire Department is undoubtedly the lack of fire safety and the potential risk to human health and life. In such conditions, in the event of a fire, severe legal consequences can follow. It also significantly complicates the issue of receiving compensation from insurance companies.
2. How much does fire safety approval for photovoltaics cost?
You should expect to incur additional costs for fire safety approval for photovoltaics, typically ranging from around 300 to 1000 PLN. A higher price sometimes includes submitting the photovoltaic system to the fire department, meaning one less formality for you.
3. Does fire safety approval and notification apply to all types of buildings?
Yes, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a single- or multi-family house, a commercial-service facility, a company headquarters, or an industrial facility — fire safety approval and notification are mandatory once the total installed capacity exceeds 65 kW.