ON THE ISSUE OF SAFE FIRE-FIGHTING AT FACILITIES WITH SOLAR POWER PLANTS

Abstract

The hazards associated with the elimination of fires and emergencies at facilities with solar power plants are considered. The analysis of domestic and foreign literary sources in the sphere of the research is carried out. It was revealed that the available sources of information contained almost no research results derived by domestic researchers which would be devoted to the peculiarities of fire-fighting at facilities with solar power plants. It is emphasized that the work of German researchers on the assessment of fire risks in photovoltaic systems and the development of safety concepts to minimize them deserves special attention in the international arena. It is noted that these studies cover several thematic complexes, namely: fire risk assessment in photovoltaic systems; risk assessment for photovoltaic systems maintenance services, emergency services including fire brigades, and risk avoidance strategies; assessment of opportunities to minimize the risk of fire occurrence and spread of fire at facilities with photovoltaic systems; development of recommendations for manufacturers on the design of components of photovoltaic systems, its components, quality assurance during production, installation and operation, which are extremely relevant for Ukraine. The normative documents regulating the order of operative and tactical actions of fire and rescue divisions during elimination of emergencies and fire-fighting on power facilities and constructions including on the ones with solar power plants with an emphasis on maintenance of safe conditions for the personnel’s operations are analyzed. It was established that the national regulations considered in the paper contained a number of provisions on the basic principles of action in case of fire-fighting at enterprises and organizations of the energy sector and live electrical installations, but they did not fully take into account the design and operation of solar power plants, including those operated in the private housing sector as well as, accordingly, the procedure for operational and tactical actions of fire and rescue divisions during emergencies and fire-fighting at such facilities. The relevance of this area of the research is emphasized and the problems that need to be solved during further research are formed.