Event debates fire safety in EVs and photovoltaic systems

Captain of the Las Vegas Fire Department teaches a workshop in Brasília on the importance of AFCI and rapid-shutdown
20-10-22-canal-solar-Event debates fire safety in EVs and PV systems
Captain Richard Birt during a workshop held in Brasília. Photo: Reproduction

O Military Fire Department of the Federal District promoted, last Tuesday (18) in partnership with EnphaseEnergy, a workshop on fire safety em You (electric vehicles) and Photovoltaic systems.

The event, held at the José Nilton Matos Auditorium, in Brasília, was attended by 250 trained firefighters, who followed the captain's talk Richard Birt, a sector professional who worked for 30 years in the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue and founder of SAFE (Solar And Fire Education).

How to avoid fires in photovoltaic projects?

Throughout the speech, he made an introduction to the fundamentals of all photovoltaic system equipment, such as inverters and microinverters, for example, and how firefighters have to act if they see a residence or business on fire, bringing different application scenarios.

The event was attended by around 250 firefighters from the Military Fire Department of the Federal District. Photo: Reproduction
The event was attended by around 250 firefighters from the Military Fire Department of the Federal District. Photo: Reproduction

Furthermore, he commented on the AFCI (arc fault interrupt system), which provides a reliable guarantee for the safety of the plant against arc flashes, which are the main cause of fire of solar power plants.

Birt also highlighted the importance of rapid-shutdown – quick shutdown system. As the name suggests, it quickly shuts down the solar s in the event of a failure, thus ensuring the safety of first aid teams.

“We had the pleasure of having with us Captain Richard Birt, the greatest specialist in protection and firefighting in photovoltaic structures and batteries. It was very positive, it is an agenda that is consolidating around the world and we need to have this knowledge to make not only the activity safer but also society safer”, said Lieutenant Colonel Thiago John, from the Military Fire Department of the Federal District.

AFCI and rapid shutdown: how to improve the safety of PV systems

Photo by Mateus Badra
Mateus Badra
Journalist graduated from PUC-Campinas. He worked as a producer, reporter and presenter on TV Bandeirantes and Metro Jornal. He has been following the Brazilian electricity sector since 2020.

Comments should be respectful and contribute to a healthy debate. Offensive comments may be removed. The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author. Canal Solar.

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