YESHUA

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF GREEN ENERGY STUDIES

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

A THESIS REPORT ENTITLED

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT AND ITS INFLUENCES ON FIRE FIGHTING IN BUILDINGS

WITH SOLAR PANELS

BY

SHEKWONYA BAKO

SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GREEN ENERGY ENGINEERING

THESIS SUPERVISOR

….………………………………………………

ING. NANA KWAME OWUSU ANSAH

ACCRA, GHANA

JULY 2018
DECLARATION

I declare that this thesis is my own work. It is being submitted for the degree of
Bachelor of Science in Green Energy Engineering in Yeshua Institute of
Technology(Y. I. T.), Accra. It has not been submitted for any degree or
examination in any other University.

……………………………….

(signature of candidate)

………… July 2018

ABSTRACT

It has been stated that solar panel technology is not suited to artificial light
because there is insignificant power output when used. The difference between
artificial and natural light is simply that, natural light is obtained from the sun,
whilst artificial light is generated in other ways.
Solar technology has improved over the past decades and is still getting better.
There have been attempts to improve it on the front of power production with
artificial light hence, the introduction of small electronic devices like the two way
power calculator. These developments may indicate the direction of this method
of energy production.

The risk of shock when dealing with solar power cannot be overlooked. This
presents the need for first respondents to emergency sights to be aware and
adequately prepared in dealing with emergencies in which solar power is
involved.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to my nephew, Gabri’el Bako, who inspires me to be better

each day.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES


LIST OF TABLES

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Statement of Problem

The role that artificial light plays in the risk of fighting fires in buildings that have
solar panels on them.

1.2 Objectives of Scope

For fire fighters, there is the need to be safe in the field. No matter what they face,
their priority is safety for themselves and others. With new technology, comes a
new approach to safety and a need for research into its implications in various
fields. The use of solar panels in Ghana is relatively new and this research is to
help with tackling fires in the field with the best approach.

The general procedure involves shutting down power in the building by either
disconnecting from the main power switch of the building or doing it from a
substation or transformer as the first step.

The next step would be to check the extent of the fire or its bounds. Next is to
put it out.

The various materials that are used to put out fires include: water, foam, carbon
dioxide and dry powder.

When dealing with solar panels, especially if they are either part of the cause of
the fire or are somewhat involved in the assets that have been affected by the
fire, it would require that the fire is put out in as safe a manner as possible.

The dry powder and carbon dioxide are the safest to use with solar panels
because they do not conduct electricity. The water and foam on the other hand
would conduct electricity and the personnel that would be operating the hoses
which have parts made of metal are at risk.

With the knowledge of the present procedures of fighting fire, there is still a risk
of shock when dealing with solar technology. This is because the disconnection of
power to the building does not necessarily prevent solar panels from producing
power.

During the day, there are greater risks to putting out fires on buildings that have
solar panels than there are at night considering the lack of sunlight at night.
However, we would like to know the risks that are present at night, especially
with the presence of the high powered lights that enable the fire service
personnel see well when fighting fires.

Fighting fire requires personnel to wear protective gear and follow protocols.
However in Ghana, it has not been included in the protocols on how to deal with
fires that involve solar panels. In order to be sure of the risks involved, we
would have to take a deeper look at power that panels can produce. During the
day, the risk is obvious because, the panels will still produce power. In the night
however, is there still a risk? Do the lamps that are used by the fire fighters at
night have enough energy to cause the panels to produce power that is
dangerous for the personnel?
This paper focuses on the risks that are faced at night.

1.3 Methodology

The best way to be sure about the risk that the Fire Service personnel may face is
to simulate the possible situations that they may face. Because we are dealing
with Solar panels, we would need a solar panel and the lights used by the fire
service: which is a halogen lamp.

As such, the experiment with a 100 W solar panel and a halogen lamp is
designed.

This will involve taking measurements of voltage and current of the solar panel
produced by the light of the lamp at various distances both during the day and
during the night.

1.4 Facilities Employed

We would test the power produced by the panels at night with a halogen lamp.

Solar panel with polycrystalline solar cells will be used

Halogen street lamp

Multimeter.

1.5 Report organisation

 Solar cell technology

 Response of solar cell to natural light

 Response of solar cell to artificial light

 Amount of power that is dangerous for humans

 Conclusion on the safety of fire service personnel