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14 July 2023
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Fire breaks out at Vodacom's Cape Town office; solar panel fault probed
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The Vodacom building at Century City caught alight on Sunday, 9 July 2023 with fire fighters from Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service bringing it under control. "The city's Fire and Rescue Service was alerted just after 11h00 of solar panels alight on the roof of the building. Upon arrival of the first fire fighting crew, an assessment was made and additional resources were requested," said Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service.
Carelse said their response included a fire engine, water tanker and rescue vehicle from Milnerton Fire Station, a fire engine, water taker and hydraulic platform from Goodwood Fire Station, a fire engine and hazmat vehicle from Bellville, a hydraulic platform from Roeland Street and fire engines each from Brooklyn, Epping and Salt River. “The incident management team (IMT) was also dispatched,” he added.
When the first response crew arrived on site they immediately called for additional resources and two hydraulic platforms were also dispatched.
“Fire fighters had to be aware of the falling debris while working inside the building. This is a fluid situation and no injuries have been reported as yet,” Carelse said. He added that the challenges faced included to get onto the roof that was covered in solar panels.
By mid afternoon the fire had been contained and crews were busy with damping down and mopping up operations.
“They will remain on scene for a considerable time. The building sustained substantial damages,” he said, adding that a fire safety inspector and a building inspector had been called out to investigate the incident.
“This incident is the latest of such fires being caused by alternative energy installations, as those in the corporate and residential sectors battle to mitigate the effects of large-scale rolling blackouts,” Safety and Security mayco member Alderman JP Smith, said.
Alderman Smith advised people with solar installations to take additional precautions. “It is highly recommended that those who have already had such alternative solutions installed have their systems regularly inspected for signs of electrical fatigue or mechanical breakdown. Additional preventive measures and electrical fail-safe components, while perhaps increasing the initial installation cost, should be considered.”
Cabling of a thicker diameter should be used, to allow less resistance and help prevent a build-up of heat, he recommended.
“The maximum ratings of components, including that of inverters, batteries, solar panels and all connecting components should be carefully considered. All components within the system must be measured and calculated as part of a holistic solution and not exceed the maximum ratings of any other component within the solution.”
Sources: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service; Times Live
Carelse said their response included a fire engine, water tanker and rescue vehicle from Milnerton Fire Station, a fire engine, water taker and hydraulic platform from Goodwood Fire Station, a fire engine and hazmat vehicle from Bellville, a hydraulic platform from Roeland Street and fire engines each from Brooklyn, Epping and Salt River. “The incident management team (IMT) was also dispatched,” he added.
When the first response crew arrived on site they immediately called for additional resources and two hydraulic platforms were also dispatched.
“Fire fighters had to be aware of the falling debris while working inside the building. This is a fluid situation and no injuries have been reported as yet,” Carelse said. He added that the challenges faced included to get onto the roof that was covered in solar panels.
By mid afternoon the fire had been contained and crews were busy with damping down and mopping up operations.
“They will remain on scene for a considerable time. The building sustained substantial damages,” he said, adding that a fire safety inspector and a building inspector had been called out to investigate the incident.
“This incident is the latest of such fires being caused by alternative energy installations, as those in the corporate and residential sectors battle to mitigate the effects of large-scale rolling blackouts,” Safety and Security mayco member Alderman JP Smith, said.
Alderman Smith advised people with solar installations to take additional precautions. “It is highly recommended that those who have already had such alternative solutions installed have their systems regularly inspected for signs of electrical fatigue or mechanical breakdown. Additional preventive measures and electrical fail-safe components, while perhaps increasing the initial installation cost, should be considered.”
Cabling of a thicker diameter should be used, to allow less resistance and help prevent a build-up of heat, he recommended.
“The maximum ratings of components, including that of inverters, batteries, solar panels and all connecting components should be carefully considered. All components within the system must be measured and calculated as part of a holistic solution and not exceed the maximum ratings of any other component within the solution.”
Sources: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service; Times Live
