External fire exposure to roofs in combination with photovoltaic (PV) arrays - Test method(s)

This Technical Report provides test methods for the assessment of external fire exposure to roofs in combination with photovoltaic (PV) arrays which characterize potential impacts of PV arrays to an existing fire rating of roofs from an external fire exposure. The performance of roofs without PV to external fire exposure is defined in CEN/TS 1187. The test methods of CLC/prTR 50670 are only applicable to roof added installations. Building integrated PV is not covered by this standard. The test method refers to PV modules as test specimens without a specific mounting system as well as combinations of PV modules with particular mounting systems on tilted roofs and flat roofs.

Externe Feuereinwirkung auf Dächer in Kombination mit Photovoltaik (PV)-Arrays - Testmethode (n)

Exposition des toitures équipées de modules photovoltaïques (PV) à un feu extérieur - Méthode(s) d’essai

Izpostavitev streh požaru z zunanje strani v kombinaciji s fotonapetostnimi (PV) sistemi - Metode preskušanja

To tehnično poročilo določa preskusne metode za oceno izpostavitve streh požaru z zunanje strani v kombinaciji s fotonapetostnimi (PV) sistemi, ki označujejo morebitni vpliv fotonapetostnih sistemov na obstoječo oceno izpostavitve streh požaru z zunanje strani. Zmogljivost streh brez fotonapetostnih sistemov pri izpostavitvi požaru z zunanje strani je opredeljena v standardu CEN/TS 1187.
Preskusne metode iz standarda CLC/prTR 50670 se uporabljajo samo za dodatne namestitve na strehah. Ta standard ne zajema fotonapetostnih sistemov, vgrajenih v stavbe.
Preskusna metoda obravnava fotonapetostne module kot preskušance brez posebnega sistema za namestitev in kombinacije fotonapetostnih modulov s posebnimi sistemi za namestitev na nagnjene in ploščate strehe.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
15-Dec-2016
Current Stage
6060 - Document made available - Publishing
Start Date
16-Dec-2016
Due Date
20-Dec-2016
Completion Date
16-Dec-2016

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2017
Izpostavitev streh požaru z zunanje strani v kombinaciji s fotonapetostnimi (PV)
sistemi - Metode preskušanja
External fire exposure to roofs in combination with photovoltaic (PV) arrays – Test
method(s)
Externe Feuereinwirkung auf Dächer in Kombination mit Photovoltaik (PV)-Arrays -
Testmethode (n)
Exposition des toitures équipées de modules photovoltaïques (PV) à un feu extérieur -
Méthode(s) d’essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CLC/TR 50670:2016
ICS:
13.220.50 Požarna odpornost Fire-resistance of building
gradbenih materialov in materials and elements
elementov
27.160 6RQþQDHQHUJLMD Solar energy engineering
91.060.20 Strehe Roofs
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL REPORT CLC/TR 50670

RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
December 2016
ICS 13.220.50; 27.160; 91.060.20

English Version
External fire exposure to roofs in combination with photovoltaic
(PV) arrays - Test method(s)
Exposition des toitures équipées de modules Externe Feuereinwirkung auf Dächer in Kombination mit
photovoltaïques (PV) à un feu extérieur - Méthode(s) Photovoltaik (PV)-Arrays - Testmethode (n)
d'essai
This Technical Report was approved by CENELEC on 2016-09-05.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2016 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. CLC/TR 50670:2016 E
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction. 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 General . 7
5 Test apparatus . 7
5.1 Gas burner . 7
5.2 Test environment and measurements . 8
5.3 Conditioning . 8
5.4 Test deck . 8
6 Test procedures . 9
6.1 General . 9
6.2 Placement of source of ignition on top of the PV module . 9
6.3 Placement of source of ignition between PV module and pitched-roofs . 10
6.4 Placement of source of ignition between PV module and flat roofs . 11
7 Observations and measurements. 11
7.1 General . 11
7.2 Placement of source of ignition on top of the PV module . 11
7.3 Placement of source of ignition between PV module and pitched-roofs . 12
7.4 Placement of source of ignition between PV module and flat roofs . 12
8 Reporting . 12
Bibliography . 13

European foreword
This document (CLC/TR 50670:2016) has been prepared by CLC/TC 82 “Solar Photovoltaic Energy
Systems”.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
Framing components of the PV modules that are made of polymeric materials are not covered within
this document and will have to be addressed in a future revision.
Introduction
This CENELEC Technical Report (TR) defines test methods for the assessment of external fire
exposure to photovoltaic (PV) arrays. The determination of such fire behaviour is important when
photovoltaic systems are installed on roofs to evaluate if an intensification of a fire threat can be
expected. With this regard, explicitly roof-integrated PV is not part of this TR.
The scenario of burning brands that are released from a neighbouring building is well defined for plain
roofing assemblies through the classification standard of EN 13501-5 and the relevant test methods of
CEN/TS 1187. Accordingly, the methods described herewith focus on PV modules and the influence
to roof substructures in general and address tilted and flat-roof installations from burning droplets and
radiant heat after ignited through a gas burner.
Roofing assemblies and substructures are exemplary replaced by calcium carbonate plates to allow
free monitoring and characterization of the potential burning behaviour of PV modules.
This Technical Report also encounters potential burning brands that may reach spaces between the
PV array and roof in a realistic installation.
This Technical Report does not contain information on the level of acceptable performance, but on
observations and measurements.
This Technical Report enters new fields of expertise and displays accordingly the current state of best
knowledge basing on available data in the industry. More technical data and test results will be
generated to further develop the TR.
CAUTION — The attention of all persons concerned with managing and carrying out these
tests is drawn to the fact that fire testing can be hazardous and that there is a possibility that
toxic and/or harmful smoke and gases can be evolved during the test. An assessment of all
potential hazards and risks to health should be made and safety precautions should be
identified and provided. Written safety instructions should be issued. Appropriate training
should be given to all relevant personnel. Laboratory personnel should ensure that they follow
written safety instructions at all times.
1 Scope
This Technical Report provides test methods for the assessment of external fire exposure to roofs in
combination with photovoltaic (PV) arrays which characterize potential impacts of PV arrays to an
existing fire rating of roofs from an external fire exposure. The performance of roofs without PV to
external fire exposure is defined in CEN/TS 1187.
The test methods of CLC/TR 50670 are only applicable to roof added installations. Building integrated
PV is not covered by this standard.
The test method refers to PV modules as test specimens without a specific mounting system as well
as combinations of PV modules with particular mounting systems on tilted roofs and flat roofs.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN ISO 13943:2010, Fire safety — Vocabulary (ISO 13943:2008)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 13943:2010 and the
following apply.
3.1
PV array
mechanically integrated assembly of modules or panels and its support structure
Note 1 to entry: An array does not include its foundation, tracking apparatus, thermal control, and other such
components.
[SOURCE: IEC 61277, modified]
3.2
external fire
progression and extent of sustained flaming across the exposed surface of the specimen
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012]
3.3
tilted roof
roof with an inclination angle of at least 15°
3.4
flat roof
roof with an inclination less than 15°
3.5
roof covering
uppermost layer of a roof
Note 1 to entry: This layer can comprise single layer or multiple layer coverings.
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012]
3.6
fire penetration
appearance on the underside of the specimen of any sustained flaming or glowing due to combustion,
including the occurrence of any flaming droplets falling from the underside
Note 1 to entry: Charring and/or discolouration are not to be regarded as fire penetration (for tests 1 and 3).
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012, modified]
3.7
damaged material
material that has been burnt, charred, melted or otherwise visually changed by heat
Note 1 to entry: Discolouration and soot deposits are not to be regarded as damaged material.
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012, modified]
3.8
calcium carbonate plate
board/plate made of calcium carbonate or calcium silicate
3.9
product
PV Module about which information is required
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012, modified]
3.10
specimen
representative section of the roof/roof covering prepared for the purpose of the test
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012]
3.11
test deck
test deck on which the PV module will be mounted
3.12
exposed surface
external surface of the specimen which is subject to the heating conditions of the test
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012]
3.13
underside
bottom surface of the PV module
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012, modified]
3.14
sustained flaming
flames arising from an observed location, which persist for 5 s or longer
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012]
3.15
opening
appearance during the test of any hole greater than 25 mm² in area or any crack greater than 2 mm
wide, which penetrates completely through the specimen and which would allow burning materials to
fall through the PV module
3.16
flaming droplets or debris
burning material falling from the specimen that continues to burn on the calcium silicate for at least 5 s
3.17
lateral flame spread
length of damaged material of the PV module, expressed in mm as measured from the centre of the
wood gas burner.
3.18
roof pitch
inclination of the roof surface to the horizontal
[SOURCE: CEN/TS 1187:2012]
4 General
The test methods derive from potential scenarios of external fires on the combined installation of a PV
array on roofs.
The following test methods generally describe external fires:
— on top of a PV array;
— between a PV array and a tilted roof;
— between a PV array and a flat-roof.
This test method is divided into its applicability to different PV array applications on roofs. Accordingly,
the fire reaction of PV modules in combination with sub-constructing materials is simulated.
The test methods apply to single modules with minimum sizes of 500 mm by 1 000 mm.
For PV arrays on roof coverings with a fire classification of construction products according to the list
of ‘deemed to satisfy’, no further testing is required.
5 Test apparatus
5.1 Gas burner
The gas burner is defined as the source of ignition to be placed on the test deck according to
Clause 6. The design and dimensions of the gas burner have been derived from findings and test
results within research and development and best practical knowledge to suit the following
requirements.
The gas burner is made of a stainless tube with an external diameter of (15,0 ± 0,1) mm and an
internal diameter of (13,0 ± 0,1) mm, ending in a square part with 265 mm side length. The supply
tube shall have a length of at least 500 mm.
In the square part of the burner, 32 holes with a diameter of 1,3 mm are drilled, 8 holes at each side.
The holes are oriented to the inside of the burner. Half of the holes have an upward inclination of 45°
and half of the holes have a downward inclination of 45° with respect to the burner plane.
The gas supplied to the burner shall be propane with a purity of 95 % or higher. The propane mass
flow rate shall be (324 ± 20) mg/s, generating a heat output of (15 ± 1) kW (the net heat of combustion
of propane is 46 360 kJ/kg) for 10 min as demanded in Clause 6. A suitable mass flow controller shall
be used to ensure that the flow rate is maintained throughout the test.
Figure 1 — Dimensions and design of the gas burner
5.2 Test environment and measurements
Testing shall be carried out in a draught free area. The ambient temperature within the laboratory shall
be (20 ± 10) °C prior to the start of each fire test. If any measures are taken to remove products of
combustion from the test laboratory, they shall be in operation during the calibration period and
maintained during the test.
5.3 Conditioning
At the time of the test, the specimens sha
...

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