Background
Facades with Building Integrated Photovoltaics as outer weather skin has increased in numbers as the technology has improved in terms of efficiency, lower directional (solar rays) demands and not least price. BIPV is expected to be the most common facade cladding application in the future as an answer to the energy crisis, in line with the green agenda and as formulated by the EU Commission in the RePowerEU initiative. Currently, ventilated facades are expected to form the main platform for BIPV. ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System) solutions may follow as the PV foil technology develops further, but this will not be the main focus of this project.
Adding an active panel to a ventilated facade will pose several risks as several ignition sources are introduced. BIPV may change the fire behaviour of a facade, will require alternative evacuation strategies and firefighting tactics.
Project Description
Photovoltaics as used in (on) buildings i.e., roofs and facades form an outer skin or rain screen as part of the building envelope. Materials and applications serving this purpose is regulated in largely all building codes e.g., material characteristics (Reaction to fire) and system performance (Resistance to fire). However, for BIPV there are no specific regulation stated in most building code(s) as they are electrical devices, and as such regulated in the National Electrical Code(s). Moreover, there are no formulated requirements as to authorisation of those installing BIPVs. As BIPV introduces several ignition sources and moreover are not evaluated as a common building material in terms of flame spread etc. risks and consequences calls for further investigation.
The purpose of the project is to identify the gaps in the current building regulation, to map the risks and point at the potential consequences of said gaps for BIPVs. Such mapping should/could suggest
revisional changes/additions to regulations and/or solutions for safer BIPV installations within the current legal framework.
The scope is mainly legislation in the EU member states, but should also look to non-member states like Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
ROCKWOOL is highly focussed on megatrends in the built environment and wants to contribute with novel, well-thought-out and proven solutions, and services to the market. To create and provide such, we want to stay in the frontline of knowledge to develop science-based applications, that meets both market and legal demands in a global perspective. We aim for solutions which contributes to human safety, health, and protection of the environment.
Suggestions for sub-tasks could be:
- Scrutinize European building regulation as to the progress in the regulatory framework for BIPV
- Mapping the gaps in relation to BIPV
- Literature study of fire behaviour in ventilated facades with BIPV
- Mapping of risks and consequences in relation to BIPV
- Ideation on Fire Protection means that bridge the gaps in the current building regulation
- Small and mid-scale fire testing
- Dissemination
ROCKWOOL Supervisors/ competencies
- Søren Rud Pedersen (Senior R&D Specialist, Resistance to Fire testing, Product Development, First Responder knowledge, srp@rockwool.com)
- Kurt Munk (Chief Specialist Fire Protection, Resistance to Fire testing etc, kurt.munk@rockwool.com)
- Kurt Ejlersen, (Chief Technician, Reaction to Fire testing, kurt.ejlersen@rockwool.com)
- Karen Guldhammer Skov, (R&D Engineer, Modelling and Simulation Analysis, karen.guldhammer@rockwool.com)
Facilities
- Access to ROCKWOOL R&D Fire Labs (Resistance and Reaction to fire, small to medium scale)
- Access to ROCKWOOL R&D Stone Wool characterisation and test labs (inorganic and organic chemistry, mechanical and physical testing)
- Possibilities for external testing can be included if relevant
Confidentiality
Students are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Exam and report will be kept confidential.
References
- EBOB – Solcelleinstallasjoner på bygg. Brannspredning og sikkerhet for brannvesen, Ragni Fjellgaard Mikalsen et al
- Fire safety of building integrated photovoltaic systems: Critical review for codes and standards, Yoon J Ko et al
- Constructing a Risk Assessment Framework for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Projects from the Perspective of Four-Dimensional Risk, Kai Zhou, Lingli Gao
- https://www.powerhouse.no