A colleague of mine says he read in bs7671 that equipment in lofts may need an Arc Fault Detection Device.
I can't find such a requirement, perhaps someone here has heard of it?
A colleague of mine says he read in bs7671 that equipment in lofts may need an Arc Fault Detection Device.
I can't find such a requirement, perhaps someone here has heard of it?
A colleague of mine says he read in bs7671 that equipment in lofts may need an Arc Fault Detection Device.
No such requirement in BS 7671 to my knowledge, and to my knowledge no requirements, guidance or notes that specifically mention 'loft' in the standard.
However, there is a recommendation in BS 5839-6, for an interlinked detector to be provided for the fire detection and fire alarm system, when electronic equipment (like inverters, batteries) are installed in lofts.
I would also point out:
There are recommendations in RiskAuthority RC62 to check whether you should fit an "arc fault circuit interruptor" (which is another term for AFDD), but that doesn't mention a loft.
Also, are you talking about AC or DC side (some inverters have DC side arc fault detection but that's different to AFDDs) ?
If there is more 'pollution' (dust) than expected, this might result in fire.
Might it not also lead to false alarms? If so, perhaps a heat detector is more appropriate than a smoke one.
Might it not also lead to false alarms? If so, perhaps a heat detector is more appropriate than a smoke one.
Agreed, include the detector in the list of "equipment" with respect to pollution, although yes a smoke detector is more susceptible.
Often discussed where batteries are concerned, because some form of smoke/vapour detector is needed (when the fire happens with lithium, it's too late, so a heat detector isn't really very good for getting people out quickly) ... and of course in many lofts these don't work work well.
More work certainly needed on detection and alarm for batteries really.
More work certainly needed on detection and alarm for batteries really.
How about putting a battery in a steel cabinet? It occurred to me that some form of fire safe (eBay is your friend) might do if the joists would cope. A detector in there would not be subject to external influences, and if the cabinet can protect documents for 30 (or 60 or WHY) minutes, it should work the other way about.
I'm not sure putting the battery in a steel cabinet completely solves the problem - it could still catch fire and need extinguishing, unless it's known that it could be contained by the steel cabinet until it's fully combusted and has self-extinguished, any smoke released could be trapped into the loft making entry into the loft very hazardous as it's something of a confined space.
Plus there's the cooling aspect, ambient temperatures in lofts can be very high in summer, a sealed cabinet would impact cooling.
I see some manufacturers are now selling batteries with built-in fire suppression systems, using suppression fluid to prevent a fire in event of a cell thermal run-away. But again, in a loft that vapor/smoke release would all be going into the loft space.
Personally, I think we ought to approach the problem from another perspective, that lofts are inherently not and will quite likely never be a good location for energy storage devices due to a combination of extreme ambient temperatures, confined spaces, poor ventilation, presence of combustible building materials, infrequent access/inspection, risk of fire spread to bedrooms. So therefore what is required are better and more workable arrangements to get DC around a property so that the battery and/or inverter can be located somewhere more appropriate.
I'm not sure putting the battery in a steel cabinet completely solves the problem - it could still catch fire and need extinguishing, unless it's known that it could be contained by the steel cabinet until it's fully combusted and has self-extinguished, any smoke released could be trapped into the loft making entry into the loft very hazardous as it's something of a confined space.
Plus there's the cooling aspect, ambient temperatures in lofts can be very high in summer, a sealed cabinet would impact cooling.
I see some manufacturers are now selling batteries with built-in fire suppression systems, using suppression fluid to prevent a fire in event of a cell thermal run-away. But again, in a loft that vapor/smoke release would all be going into the loft space.
Personally, I think we ought to approach the problem from another perspective, that lofts are inherently not and will quite likely never be a good location for energy storage devices due to a combination of extreme ambient temperatures, confined spaces, poor ventilation, presence of combustible building materials, infrequent access/inspection, risk of fire spread to bedrooms. So therefore what is required are better and more workable arrangements to get DC around a property so that the battery and/or inverter can be located somewhere more appropriate.
See PAS 63100:2024 https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/insights/brochures/pas-63100-protection-against-fire-of-battery-energy-storage-systems/
It's not actually a British Standard, and isn't law, but a lot of people are taking note of it.
It's not actually a British Standard, and isn't law, but a lot of people are taking note of it.
It is a standard published by BSI, but it's not a British Standard.
Most standards are voluntary, and not mandated by law. Even 'designated standards' are not mandatory ... there is an alternative approach, although the designated standards route, especially if supported by independent testing and endorsement, is probably the safest route for products 'placed on the market'.
Worth noting, though, that, contrary to popular opinion, BS 7671 is mandated by legislation for certain installations (including those with Solar PV or battery storage). See ESQCR Regulations 21 and 22 ... or ESQCR (NI) Regulations 22 and 23.
Given the situation that standards are generally voluntary ... and therefore PAS 63100 is little different in that respect ... what one would have to be sure of if choosing not to follow it, is how one might respond when asked "why did you do something contrary?" if anything went awry.
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