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). Is it true that solar panels must have a fire rating that is equal to what is required of the roofing material. I've heard that several AHJs are now going in this direction. Aren't most panels either Class C (Plastic back sheet) or Class A (glass back sheet)?
Can you provide some guidance either on information that can be provided to local AHJs or specific modules that meet the Class B fire rating? What are all the other panel manufacturers doing in order to comply?
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10 years 10 months ago
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There has been a change to the building code that is now addressing PV systems mounted on roofs. My understanding is that the "PV System" on the roof must have the same fire rating as the roof. Currently there is no fire rating for a combination of modules and racking that would make up a "PV system" and some AHJs are just saying that the modules have to have the same fire rating as the roofing material. I believe UL is working on a test to give a module and mounting combination a "system" fire rating.
Most modules are Class C with a few glass on glass modules rated Class A. If the AHJ is applying this code about all you can do is go with Class A rated modules. Once UL is done with the test we might find that even some Class A modules will fail the Class A test when in combination with some mounting systems. It's a problem area that has yet to be completely worked out.