PV + Storage: The Path of Rapid Shutdown and ES Safety Gaps

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PV + Storage: The Path of Rapid Shutdown and ES Safety Gaps
Matt Paiss, International Association of Fire Fighters Paul Rogers, FDNY

This program will discuss the growth of PV + Energy Storage from the perspective of fire & life safety. Highlights will include advancements gained in PV safety codes. From systems unable to detect faults and the risk of fires, to the 2017 NEC with the most advanced safety shutdown requirements. The paring of PV + Energy Storage is projected to experience significant growth in the next 3 years with innovative chemistry technologies. The safety of Lithium-ion chemistries in many of these systems is the most significant gap that will be discussed as well as codes, standards, and regulation development.

Presented by:

Matt Paiss, International Association of Fire Fighters
Captain Matthew Paiss is a 19-year veteran of the San Jose Fire Department and owner of Energy Response Solutions. He is currently the IAFF primary representative to NEC Code Making Panel 4. Paiss specializes in electrical safety training, has been an NFPA EV Safety Trainer, and has delivered PV safety training to over 6,000 firefighters across North America. He has contributed to both national model fire code sections on PV and energy storage. He has spoken in Europe on fire safety and PV design and has Associate Degrees in both Solar Energy Technology and Fire Science. Paiss is a member of UL Standards Technical Panels 1703 and 1741 and has written for Fire Engineering, SolarPro, and Home Power magazines.

Paul Rogers, FDNY
Lieutenant Paul Rogers is a 22-year veteran of the FDNY, and is a Fire Prevention SME for the FDNY Special Operations Command Hazardous Materials Operations Unit. He serves on the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force NYTF 1 as a Hazardous Materials Manager, and also serves as an FDNY liaison to the U.S. Marine Corps Chemical Biological Incident Response Force. He is a representative on the technical committees for NFPA 1991, 1992, and 1994. Rogers assists in the development of national standards for chemical protective clothing used by first responders and others in the industry. He is the FDNY representative in the Office of Technical Certifications and Research for Energy Storage Systems within the NYC Department of Buildings. He has written several articles on renewable energy and first responder safety issues, including "Responses to Energy Storage Systems" published in the June 2015 issue of Fire Engineering.