Just before 11am, crews from Beaconsfield Fire Brigade CFA, Berwick Fire Brigade CFA and Pakenham FRV P93 were paged to a structure fire where solar panels had caught fire on the roof of a shed.
The problem they faced is one firefighters encounter at every solar fire: the panels were generating dangerous DC voltage and crews were unable to isolate the power at source. Solar panels produce electricity whenever exposed to light, no switch, no isolator, no inverter shutdown changes that. This is the DC Danger Zone.
A Ladder Platform aerial appliance from FRV Station 87 was called in to provide safe elevated access. From the platform, crews applied PVSTOP directly to the solar panels.
PVSTOP is the world’s only ISO 14034:2016 certified solar PV de-energisation solution. It’s a spray-on liquid polymer coating that blocks light from reaching the photovoltaic cells, reducing DC electricity generation to safe levels within seconds. It acts as a temporary liquid tarpaulin, deployed in emergencies or for maintenance, and can be peeled off later without damaging the panels.
With the panels safely de-energised, crews brought the fire under control. Damage was contained to a small area of PV cells on the shed roof.
Great work by all crews involved.
