How Fire Departments View PV Equipment and Layouts

Submitted by SFox

Part 1 of a training video by Captain Matt Paiss, of the San Jose, California, Fire Department. This video offers advice on how to lay out residential roof PV systems in order to allow emergency access. It's geared towards fire fighting personnel in general. These two videos really help solar installers understand what emergency personnel perceive when entering a structure powered by a PV system.  The two videos also clearly illustrate why PV specific labeling is so important at key locations throughout an installation. The observations of Capt. Paiss will also benefit roof equipment access in general - even for non-emergency personnel.

In the second part of the excellent training video by Captain Matt Paiss, he offers further understanding of the how solar electric systems work and tips on how to stay safe. This half of the production is focused mainly on commercial installations, but also speaks to the perception of Off-Grid systems and the potential hazards unique to batteries. 

Matt is also the PV Safety Instructor for the NGLB Training Group and can be reached at mpaiss@earth.net