Should photovoltaic systems comply with the Fire Department’s technical note?

Just like in Mato Grosso It is Minas Gerais, The decision recent from Goiás State Fire Department to release one technical note with measures of stricter security for solar energy systems, raised a series of questions by professionals working in the photovoltaic sector.

Many question about what would be the real need for the corporation to impose new requirements which imply, for example, the use of additional equipment, such as rapid shutdown, and retrofitting facilities that already have solar energy systems on their premises.

For some of professionals heard by the editorial staff of Canal Solar, the adoption of these Measures alone are not what will guarantee the safety of photovoltaic systems against fires and accidents in properties, but yes, oneself performance and inspections of the Fire Department.

You businesspeople who work in the sector also question the publication of the document, once the ABNT (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards) would already have the role of establishing safety regulations to be followed by companies installing photovoltaic projects.

Despite that, lawyers who were also heard by the Canal Solar report, evaluate that the publication of documents of firefighters do not necessarily conflict with ABNT standards.

“Normally, when firefighters issue regulations like this, it is due to accidents and fires that have already occurred. So, they attended to some incidents and when carrying out the investigations they came to the conclusion that the non-use of specific equipment was what led to the accidents. Based on this, they establish preventive standards”, explains Arthur Rollo, specialist in consumer law and former national consumer secretary. 

The lawyer also highlighted that even though ABNT standards are the main basis for regulatory consultation, they do not necessarily provide absolute guarantees of safety. 

“I had a case in my office, for example, of a child's crib that was within ABNT standards and which, even so, caused the death of a baby. So, these ABNT standards are the floor of what must be followed. In other words, the sale of products and services that fall short of what the standards stipulate cannot occur, but demands that go beyond ABNT standards can be made as long as they are justified”, he commented. 

Pedro Dante, partner at Lefosse Advogados, explained that the technical note published in Goiás came into force on November 14th in all municipalities in Goiás. 

“Buildings that do not yet have a photovoltaic system installed must follow all the safety measures stipulated as of the entry into force of the standard”, highlights the lawyer. 

On the other hand, with regard to buildings that already have the photovoltaic system installed, Dante commented that a period of one year was granted for consumers to fully adapt to the requirements established by the document. 

In other words, in summary, consumers who do not yet have a photovoltaic system installed in their businesses must comply with the regulatory provisions from November 14, 2023, while those who already have these installations must adapt to the new determinations by November 14, 2023. November 2024. 

Which facilities will be affected?

Peter Yu, professional responsible for Ecori units in Goiás and the Federal District, explains that the document issued by firefighters has the character mandatory for all properties that require an operating license, such as commercial and industrial establishments and multi-family units (condominiums), since it is not the technical competence of firefighters to inspect residential buildings.

“Until you make the adjustment, you will be prevented from having the license and, consequently, you will be without access to various bureaucratic procedures at governmental, banking level, among others,” he says.

Safety above all

According to Heber Galarce, president of INEL (National Clean Energy Institute), the technical note of the Goiás corporation, even though it is an unpopular measure, is correct. 

According to him, it is a document that seeks to bring benefits to the modernization of the solar sector and prevent accidents that today, according to Galarce, would be happening due to the lack of additional equipment that firefighters want to implement.

The executive even reveals that other fire departments in other states are also planning to do the same. “The standard (in relation to the safety of solar plants) has already risen in many countries and I think we must adhere to the best international safety practices, considering that Brazil has today become a global power in solar energy”, he comments.

The president of INEL also said that DG (distributed generation) has already been developing with great difficulty in Brazil, given the obstacles such as regulations and bills that oppose its growth.

“It's a republican agenda, it's the fire departments asking for an increase in safety standards. If there are international references of best practices, discussions that have already been carried out with specialist firefighters, I don’t see why not do them”, he emphasizes. 

Fire letter

In February of this year, the Fire Department had already sent the ABNT a letter signed by Lieutenant Colonel Alysson Krüger Figueira, president of the Conaci (National Fire Fighting Committee), calling for urgency in the development of safety standards that help reduce the risk of fires in solar plants.

Firefighters request standards to contain fires in PV systems

On that occasion, Conaci claimed that what is most worrying is that part of the photovoltaic systems existing in Brazil do not have the means to de-energize the aforementioned direct current circuits that can be activated in places easily accessible by firefighters. 

“Therefore, the activity of fighting fires in these buildings becomes very dangerous for the professionals who are fighting the fire”, pointed out the entity, showing that the Fire Department’s concern with the safety of photovoltaic installations in Brazil is something that comes from long date.