Final Inspection

Four members of the Florence Township Fire Department are completeing the final inspection of the Departments new Pierce aerial. The vehicle is expected to be delivered in mid-February. Once delivered members will receive the training necessary to put the truck into service. The cost of the aerial and equipment was less than the $950,000 that was approved.

Dangers of lightweight Construction

Good awareness video showing the dangers of modern lightweight construction.

Copy the link below and paste in your address bar to view video.

http://www.wisn.com/video/17971947/index.html
http://www.wisn.com/video/17971947/index.html

2009 Officers

At the January 12 meeting of the Florence Township Board of Fire Commissioners, the board solicitor administered the oath of office to the 2009 department officers. We are looking forward to a very successful 2009 and hope all our members will help make this happen.

Live Burn Drill

Last month Florence Township Firefighters conducted a live burn training session at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center.

Auto Accident

Firefighters on scene at an auto accident on the NJ Turnpike.

Brush Fire

Florence Township Firefighters responded to a brush fire in the Tall Pines Housing Development.

Childrens Christmas Party

Photos taken during lasts Decembers Christmas party hosted by the auxiliary. Santa made an early visit to the firehouse and provided an opportunity for photographs, food, and friedly gatherings. Special thanks to the Florence Township Fire Department Auxiliary for their sponsoring the event.

New Aerial Update

The aerial device content will soon be added and the aerial device will be merged with the apparatus.

Chief Jacoby, Fire Official Mullen, Mechanic Brian Richardson, and Captain Scott Arnold will be going to the plant on January 29 for the final inspection. Truck should be delivered early February.

Unsafe Structure

700 – 702 West Front Street, the Township Construction office declares this an unsafe structure. Firefighters are to use extreme caution when operating at this address.

Solar Panel System Dangers

Subject: Solar Panel System Dangers
Everyone -
As I had mentioned at this past Monday’s Twp. Chief’s meeting, I went to the presentation put on by the State of NJ last night at Amwell Valley Fire concerning solar panels and the danger they present to the Fire Service.
The presentation lasted for about 2 1/2 hours and was what I believe time well spent. It really opened my eyes to the potential danger and problems they will be for us for any dwelling fire we will encounter where they are present. I’m going to attempt to give everyone a quick snapshot of what was covered.
The thing to know with solar panels are that they cannot be shut down - they are ALWAYS ENERGIZED. And they are energized with up to 600 volts of DC current. For example, you cannot put an ax through them to open up a roof to vent - your putting the ax through 600 volts. If fire is infringing upon solar panels on the roof it will compromise the integrity of the panels. You then have 600 volts of live electrical energy - and what don’t you do when you have live electrical energy? - you don’t put water on it. Even if the roof burned through and the panels fell into the structure, unless the panels were destroyed (de-energized) by the fire and/or falling into the structure, they are still have the potential to be live, have to be treated as such and have the potential of 600 volts of DC current.
A basic solar system consists of: The solar panels themselves; a combination box; a disconnect box; and a inverter. The panels all feed into a combination box. The combination box (which is almost always located on the roof) takes in all the energy and sends it to a disconnect box. The disconnect box takes the energy and then sends it into the inverter which converts the DC current into AC current. From there the AC energy “pushes” into the structure’s normal electrical system.
The combination box has fuses in it that come from the solar panels themselves. If you access that box, you can pull the all the fuses inside and “kill” anything after the combination box. But remember the panels are still live and have up to 600 volts in them. If you “kill” the energy at the disconnect box - anything up to that box is still energized - the solar panels, the combination box, the line going from the combination box into the structure and into the disconnect box are all still energized. The power company pulling the meter for normal service has no effect whatsoever on the solar panel system - it is all still live and has up to 600 volts of DC current. The only “good” thing when it comes to the disconnect box and the inverter is that they need to be co-located with the normal service panel for the structure and each should be marked as appropriate.
Even if it’s nighttime and the solar panels have not been exposed to direct sunlight for several days, they still are energized and can kill you. It is estimated that the panels would need to be covered with an opaque tarp for 7-10 days before the panels will “de-energized” down to minuscule levels. (although the handouts specify that this as an option for safety steps - it is not accurate per the presenter)
In closing there are people who have greater minds and resources than we do in developing a process to safely handle fires which may involve these systems - such as the NFPA, OSHA, etc. Per the presenter, the situation - and these organizations, are now starting to become aware of the potential problems. So far in the State of NJ, there is no recorded injury to a Firefighter being caused by coming into contact with a solar panel system. Ironically, New Jersey comes in 2nd when it comes to solar panel system installations in the nation, behind Califorina.
The final question which was asked really put things in prospective - someone asked that since Califorina is number one when it comes to Solar Panel Syatem installations, “…what do their Firefighters do when a structure fire involves these systems?” Answer was “… they let it burn!”
Please, I’m not suggesting that we adopt this strategy. But the reality is - I really don’t have an answer and it seems as if the Fire Service industry, nor the Solar Panel Companies, don’t either.
Just - please be aware and please be careful if you roll up to a structure where a solar panel system is installed - bottom line, if can kill you.
Take care,
Jack Leechan

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