Fire Classification Rating Testing of Stand-Off Mounted Photovoltaic Module and Systems

Download the one-page Summary (PDF, 309KB) or the full report (PDF, 2.18MB)

 

Flammability Testing of Standard Roofing Products in the Presence of Stand-off Mounted PV Modules — Solar ABCs Interim Report

Download the one-page Summary (PDF, 214KB) or the full report (PDF, 2.34MB).

Overview

One-page summary report cover of Flammabilty Testing of Standard Roofing Products in the Presence of Stand-off Mounted PV Modules

The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar ABCs) has published two reports that address flammability testing of standard roofing products in the presence of stand-off mounted photovoltaic (PV) modules.

These reports were developed in partnership with Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) to investigate whether and how the presence of stand-off mounted PV arrays may affect the fire class rating of common roof covering materials.

Summary and Key Findings

The new fire classification procedure requires the following tests be performed in order to derive a fire classification rating for the PV/roof system:

Some of the major findings of the research program have been:

In July 2013, following stakeholder meetings and periods for public comment, the UL STP voted unanimously to approve the new fire classification test procedure. The STP acknowledged that further clarifications and refinements were still needed, including:

 

Lastly, additional research is ongoing in two areas—industry solutions (system tests that will help reduce the number of component tests otherwise required to determine system ratings) and completion of a new, calibrated burner flame source that will reduce variability and increase repeatability of tests using commercially available roof coverings

Media and Other Inquiries Contact:

Larry Sherwood, Solar ABCs Project Administrator, 303-413-8028