Solar carports integrate photovoltaic (PV) panels into carport roofs, generating renewable energy and providing shaded parking. Made from materials like steel or aluminium, they support solar panels and withstand various weather conditions.
Solar panels capture sunlight, converting it into direct current (DC) electricity. Inverters then change this DC electricity into alternating current (AC) for practical use, such as powering buildings, charging electric vehicles, or feeding into the grid.
Solar carports are typically used in commercial spaces, residential areas, public facilities, and transportation hubs for energy generation and vehicle protection.
What are the Risks?
As with many applications that involve the generation and storage of power, solar carports can present some unique fire risks including:
- Electrical Faults
- Poorly installed or maintained electrical components can lead to short circuits, arc faults, or ground faults, which can ignite fires.
- Overheating Panels
- PV panels can overheat due to poor ventilation, excessive sunlight exposure, or malfunctioning components, potentially causing fires.
- Faulty Inverters
- Inverters that convert DC to AC electricity can malfunction or be improperly installed, creating fire hazards through overheating or electrical sparks.
- Wiring Issues
- Damaged or improperly insulated wiring can cause electrical fires, especially if exposed to weather elements or pests.
- Combustible Materials
- Accumulation of flammable debris (like leaves) on or around the carport and the presence of combustible construction materials can increase fire risk if ignited by electrical faults or overheating components.
What are the Challenges?
Designing a fire detection solution for a solar carport presents unique challenges that require careful consideration and innovative solutions. These may include:
- Environmental Exposure
- Solar carports are typically outdoors and exposed to various environmental factors such as rain, wind, dust, and temperature extremes. These conditions can affect the reliability and functionality of fire detection sensors and systems. Designing robust and weather-resistant detection equipment that can operate effectively in these conditions is crucial.
- Electrical Hazards
- Solar carports involve electrical components and wiring systems that are inherent sources of fire risk, especially due to potential faults like short circuits or overheating. The fire detection system must be capable of quickly identifying electrical fires, which may not exhibit the same characteristics as more common types of fires (like those involving combustible materials).
- Integration with Solar Energy Systems
- Solar panels and the associated power storage systems (like batteries) pose specific risks, such as thermal runaway in batteries, which can lead to fires. The fire detection solution needs to be integrated seamlessly with these systems to monitor temperatures and other indicators of potential fire hazards without interfering with the solar panels’ operation.
- False Alarm Minimisation
- Outdoor environments can lead to higher rates of false alarms due to factors like sunlight reflection, birds, or other wildlife interactions. Ensuring the fire detection system is sensitive enough to detect actual fires while distinguishing these from normal environmental interactions is a significant challenge.
- Scalability and Flexibility
- Solar carports can vary greatly in size and layout, from residential installations to large commercial setups. The fire detection system must be scalable and flexible to accommodate different sizes and configurations. It should also be easy to install, maintain, and upgrade as technology advances or as the carport’s layout or usage changes.
FyreLine Digital
FyreLine Digital Linear Heat Detection provides a cost-effective, easy-to-install and reliable heat detection solution for solar carports.
FyreLine Digital uses heat sensitive cable to detect changes in temperature. This cable is made up of two tri-metallic conductors that are covered with heat sensitive polymers and twisted together before being encased in a protective outer sheath. Once the temperature sensitive polymer reaches its rated temperature it melts, causing the two conductors to come into contact. When this happens an event is triggered and the distance along the cable to which the event has occurred is displayed on the FyreLine Digital controller, enabling the user to easily locate where the event was triggered.
Heat sensing cable can be provided with a nylon coating to protect it from UV rays and its performance is unaffected by environmental factors, dust or debris. This makes it the perfect solution for protecting Solar Carports from fire.
Approvals
FyreLine Digital Linear Heat Detection is fully approved by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). It is also CE marked to show it complies with all the applicable European directives including the CPR, EMC and the Low Voltage Directive (LVD).
FyreLine Digital Fixed Design Considerations
FyreLine Digital Controller Placement
FyreLine Digital Controllers can be installed in a secure area outside of the Solar Carport where it is protected from the elements and safe from tampering.
FyreLine Digital Linear Heat Detection Cable Placement
FyreLine Linear Heat Sensing Cable should be installed on the underside of the solar panels and along the highest support bar of the metal framework that supports them. This ensures all areas of the solar panel are covered.
FyreLine Linear Heat Detection Mounting Clips
There are a variety of clips available for mounting linear heat detection. However, there are two in particular that are recommended for mounting heat sensing cable onto solar installations; the j-clip and the p-clip.
The P-Clip is suitable for use where mounting space is limited. With this type of fixing, the cable passes through the clip. Silicone sleeves are included to insulate and protect the LHD cable from abrasion, excessive pressure and any heat transfer from a metal mounting bracket to the cable.
The J-Clip is best suited for use on flat mounting surfaces. It has space for a cable tie to secure the cable in place and can be used to support the heat detection cable above or below the risk. Silicone sleeves are included to insulate and protect the cable from abrasion, excessive pressure or any heat transfer from the bracket to the cable.
Independent & Interlock/Coincidence Detection
FyreLine digital supports two zones of linear heat detection. It can be configured for two types of detection; interlock (or coincidence), and independent.
Independent Mode
In this mode, each of the two zones operate independently of each other. When a fault or overheat condition occurs in a zone, that zone’s fault or alarm output is triggered. Each zone can use linear heat detection cables with either the same or different temperature rating.
Interlock Mode
In this mode, two Fixed LHD cables of the same temperature rating are used for both zones and the alarm is only activated when both cables are triggered by an overheat condition. This minimises false alarms, ensuring that an alarm is only triggered when an overheat event has occurred.
External Functional Alarm & Fault Testing
The FyreLine End Of Line (EOL) is used to terminate heat sensing cable. It can accommodate up to two zones and has built-in switches that simulate fault or alarm conditions to test the system. The FyreLine EOL is housed in a secure, weatherproof enclosure.
Why Choose Eurofyre?
- Complete System Supplier
- Eurofyre supplies all aspects of fire detection including linear heat detection and its associated products and can provide expert advice and consultation.
- Demonstration and Training
- We offer demonstrations and expert training on a range of systems, including FyreLine linear heat detection systems, in our very own sophisticated training facility.
- After-Sales Support
- Eurofyre offers both on-site and telephone support to assist you in ensuring that your system is fully functional and operating at maximum efficiency. Our after-sales care and support are second to none.
For more information about FyreLine Linear Heat Detection, or to discuss any of the other products that Eurofyre has to offer, please feel free to get in touch either by phone on +44 (0) 1329 835 024, by email to [email protected] or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
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