Solar Panels Require Sprinkler Protection?

5/20/2022

Do solar panels on a roof level of a parking garage require sprinkler protection?

The parking garage is six-level open air garage, and the roof level (the sixth level) is used for parking. Solar panels would cover 30% of the roof level and may potentially in future cover the entire roof.

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21 Comments

Pete H

5/20/2022 06:47:45 am

As in solar panels on top of the roof?

I don't see how you could protect them with sprinklers. There's no ceiling above them to collect heat and set off the sprinkler.

I don't think these can require protection unless there is some form of structure above them.

SCHULMAN

5/20/2022 08:23:04 am

i don't know of any code but these could have used some...

https://www.thesolarnerd.com/blog/can-solar-panels-cause-fires/

Dan Wilder

5/20/2022 08:29:05 am

We have been required to install them on the structural framing below the panels for one project and argued our way out of it on a couple others due to lack of structure and some creative help wordsmithing from the arch based on spacing and angle of the panels.

Are they setup as single rows all at the same angle, individual panels at an angle, or just flat? That help with our argument based on deflector spacing and heat collection.

XIAO LI

5/24/2022 09:16:54 pm

Thanks for you answer. The PV panels are flat and with tiny gaps between modules. The slope is about 5%. The PV panels are installed on steel canopy structure looking like a roof a few meters above the roof.
The sprinkler designer augured the heat collection as well, but I think smoke could accumulate beneath the panels due to delay in smoke travel.
The panels looks like a large canopy though without a soffit.

Roy J.

5/20/2022 08:29:33 am

Are you looking at it as a concealed combustible space under the solar panels? It is an interesting question, there is no definition of concealed space in NFPA 13, but I don't believe it would not apply here, but as always the AHJ is the final authority. If it was decided it is a concealed combustible space there are some options to work through it without coverage, see 8.15.1.2.7.1 and 8.15.1.2.6 and most likely more...…remember my opinion is worth what you paid for it :)

XIAO LI

5/24/2022 09:19:08 pm

I could not relate to the space beneath the panels as concealed space. The panels are a few meter above the roof parking, acting like a roof canopy.

Glenn Berger

5/20/2022 08:30:58 am

The recently published NFPA 88A requires open parking garages to be provide with sprinkler protection.

As far as installing sprinkler below the solar panels, you just need to ensure the framing assembly that supports the solar panels is designed to allow the installation of the sprinklers.

Franck

5/20/2022 08:55:24 am

Even though solar panels represent a potential fire exposure to your roof assembly, there is no requirement to provide sprinkler protection.
One of the main issue is that you won’t be able to disconnect the production of electricity (even at night, as they can continue to operate with lighting from the outside) and therefore create a real problem for firefighters.
In some countries, fire fighters will just let the building burn if solar panels are installed so as not to unnecessarily expose them.

To come back to the fire hazard, if all panels could take fire (poor maintenance, damaged panels by hail, loose electrical connections…), they won’t all have the same consequences depending on your roof assembly (if on concrete roof, no issue, if on combustible roof assembly, big issue) and the way they are installed (detached from the roof with a given angle, lesser problem, buit-in the roof assembly, bigger problem)

Todd Wyatt

5/20/2022 09:20:46 am

The adopted building Code (e.g. 2021 IBC) is the scoping document that determines what Occupancy Classifications (e.g. Group S-2 Low-Hazard Storage) require an automatic sprinkler system. The referenced standards regarding spinklers per IBC Ch 35 (e.g. NFPA 13/13D/13R/16) are only applicable per the "prescribed extent of each such reference" as listed in the adopted building Code (IBC).

IBC Ch 4 includes prescriptive information to determine if a parking garage (PG) is "open" or "enclosed." This chapter includes scoping requirements such as "402.5 Automatic sprinkler system, Exception" which states that an "automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in ... open parking spaces separated from the covered or open mall building ..." Ch 4 also includes an exception that some PGs are not to be considered a "high-rise building" and that some PGs are not to be considered an "underground building." Section 406 Motor-Vehicle-Related Occupancies specifically addresses PGs and provides "Height in Tier" limitations for PGs that include an automatic sprinkler system or not. The Design Professional should determine if an automatic sprinkler system is required to meet these "allowables".

"406.6.3 Automatic sprinkler system" requires an automatic sprinkler system for an "enclosed parking garage" in accordance with 903.2.10.

"Ch 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems" includes several exceptions to providing an automatic sprinkler system for "open parking garages" (903.2.1.6, 903.2.2, 903.2.6) depending on the adjacent Occupancy Classification(s).

"903.2.10 S-2 Parking Garages" provides (3) prescriptive requirements where auatomatic sprinklers systems are required for parking garages :

1) Where the fire area of the enclosed parking garage in accordance with Section 406.6 exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).

2) Where the enclosed parking garage in accordance with Section 406.6 is located beneath other groups.

Exception: Enclosed parking garages located beneath Group R-3 occupancies.

3) Where the fire area of the open parking garage in accordance with Section 406.5 exceeds 48,000 square feet (4460 m2).

This section also addresses Commercial Parking Garages (903.2.10.1) & Mechanical-Access Enclosed Parking Garages (903.2.10.2).

Once you determine IF the scoping Code (IBC) requires an automatic sprinkler system or not, then you review the referenced standards (NFPA 13) as to how the automatic sprinkler system is to be designed.

Franck

5/22/2022 10:47:43 am

I think that the question is not to protect the garage, but the solar panels on the roof of this garage

Todd E Wyatt

5/23/2022 08:34:04 am

The scoping Codes do not include specific components of a building (e.g. "solar panels") that require protection by an automatic sprinkler system in a building not required to be sprinklered. Sprinkler protection is per Occupancy Classification. The question refers to a "roof level" and not to an unoccupied roof so it is unclear. Parking garages are regulated by the number of "tiers" and not by "stories". If a parking garage is not required to have an automatic sprinkler system and the roof "tier" includes "solar collectors", it would not be required by the structure's Occupancy Classification to protect the rooftop solar collectors with an automatic sprinkler system.

Eric R

5/20/2022 09:26:57 am

This topic is definitely something that will need to be worked on at the model code level. I've been involved with two commercial rooftop solar fires where the fire was hot enough to punch down through the roof membrane and ignite the insulation on the interior side. Both of these buildings had sprinklers inside, so fire damage was limited on the interior, but even for the sprinklers it was a bit of the challenge as they aren't normally required to spray above themselves!

I wouldn't be surprised if fire rated horizontal assemblies become required below fixed roof solar installations someday with all the appropriate penetration detailing, etc.

Andrew Thul

3/11/2024 09:10:16 am

California has developed code language for this in Chapter 9 of the CBC (speinklering under PV arrays)

Sanjeev Gupta

5/20/2022 09:31:04 am

Garage and parking area will require sprinkler protection due to associated fire hazard. But not required for solar panel as we donot see any thing fire hazard to burn there on panel.

Franck

5/22/2022 10:50:14 am

There has unfortunately been a number of fires with solar panels on roofs. They definitely do present a fire hazard by themselves. And a fire exposure if the fire can then spread to the roof itself.

Jack G

5/20/2022 07:03:37 pm

I recall a rooftop fire, years ago, NJ, Morestown, where firemen couldn’t get on the roof—- electricity from sun, water, humans.
I considered, back then, a high pressure ss system, with 600 psi tube, Bette fog nozzles, or mist nozzles under the panels, every 8 feet, dry, triggered by the fire alarm. Should do the job. That should also knock down any fire up there.

sean

5/20/2022 07:40:15 pm

Franck

5/22/2022 10:51:19 am

That’s a good summary
;)

Alex

5/24/2022 06:08:55 am

Hi,

I'm late to the game here - I was out of the office with no access to a computer

As far as the code goes, I believe others have stated that there aren't any true design guidelines out there. In a year or so, I'm sure we will see a change in the code.

Thanks

XIAO LI

5/24/2022 09:35:21 pm

Hi All, thanks for the replies. It is a surprise there are so many great comments. Some additional information about the building. The parking garage is located in Canada. It is a six-tier/level open-air parking garage proposed to be mass timber CLT floors with concrete topping. Columns and beams are mass timber as well. The building is proposed to be fully sprinklered. However, the code does not require a concrete building of the same size to be sprinklered. Sprinkler protection is a mitigation measure in order to get approval from the AHJ.
The PV panels are a few meters above the occupied roof (parking). The panels are flat with 5% slope. There are minimal gaps between PV modules. The discussion of sprinkler the PV panels is partially due to it is a mass timber building.

Christopher Anderson

6/2/2022 12:36:48 pm

Buildings based on the NBCC model code defines a building as follows:

"Building means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy" (from the 2018 BCBC).

The PV panels above the top level of the garage are analogous to a roof over that level and shelter the parking occupancy on that level.

If the mitigating feature of the sprinkler protection requires sprinklers on all levels; then the argument could be made that sprinklers are required below the PV panels.

This should be clarified with the consultant that developed with the mitigating feature requirement.

Solar Panels Require Sprinkler Protection?

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