PVRX Basic Risks Check

Draft preparedness preview

PV preparedness and evidence review

Record reported arrangements, observations and information gaps for review by the responsible people.

PVRX-PREPAREDNESS-DRAFT-1.2 Self-reported information

No risk score, readiness certification, insurance decision or operational authorisation is produced. Technical and fire-service review of this draft remains pending.

Use records and normal safe observations only. Do not approach, touch, open or test PV or battery equipment to answer these questions. For an active incident, move away and contact local emergency services. Shutdown, isolation and generation suppression have different boundaries; other sources and stored energy may remain hazardous.

This plugin does not save or submit entries. Do not rely on this page retaining them. Keep formal records in your approved record system. Notes are included in downloaded reports, so review them before sharing. Hosting services and other site components may process visits independently of this plugin.

Interactive review is unavailable until the script loads. No assessment has been completed.

Optional report context

These selections appear only in your local report. Leave them unspecified if you prefer.

1. Site context and access

Record context and known limitations. Site type alone does not determine risk.

Which setting best describes the PV installation?

Context only; this selection produces no risk score or consequence multiplier.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

PV area access for maintenance and emergency response

Consider roof access, gates, routes, keys, fall-risk limitations and safe approach routes.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Combustible material beneath or near the PV array

Storage, packaging, insulation, dry debris or combustible roof materials can increase consequence risk.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Vegetation or firebreak control around the PV area

Dry grass, unmanaged vegetation or missing firebreaks matter for ground-mounted, rural and remote sites.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Wildfire or dry-season exposure

This includes veld-fire areas, rural sites and sites with seasonal dry vegetation.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

2. DC connectors and cabling

Use existing records and observations from normal safe access. Do not approach, touch or test equipment to answer.

DC connector identification, compatibility and assembly records

Field assembly alone is not a defect. Review manufacturer compatibility, assembly instructions, tooling and inspection evidence; protection does not resolve an incompatible connection.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Visible connector damage or deterioration

Heat marks, melting, corrosion, brittle plastic or water ingress need professional attention.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Connectors exposed to water, dirt, UV, roof contact, tension or heat

Review environmental and mechanical conditions against equipment ratings and installation requirements; exposure alone is not a quantified risk measure.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

DC cabling support and protection

Loose, unsupported or abraded DC cables increase visible readiness concern.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Additional connector protection, if any

Record protection by its documented function and limits. No product, enclosure or coating earns an automatic credit or corrects an existing connector fault.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Suitability and limits of the reported connector protection

Review manufacturer instructions, compatibility, installation and inspection records. Existing damage or faults must be assessed separately; a suitability claim is not verified here.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

3. Compliance evidence

Document availability is self-reported. Validity, scope and local requirements need qualified review.

Electrical CoC / applicable compliance documentation

Record what is available. A qualified reviewer must determine validity, scope, changes and jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

PV labels, isolation points and basic single-line/layout information are available

Record labelling, plans and isolation-point information. Their accuracy and actual electrical boundaries need verification.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

4. Thermography and maintenance records

Inspection scope, conditions, intervals and close-out evidence need review against the applicable maintenance plan.

Thermography records reviewed against the applicable maintenance plan

There is no universal inspection interval in this checklist. Operating conditions, inspection scope, findings and applicable requirements need qualified review.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Were all hotspot or abnormal heat findings closed out?

Record close-out evidence for findings. This form does not verify the inspection, remediation or absence of other faults.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

PV operation and maintenance plan

O&M should include inspection, cleaning, connector checks, fault response and records.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Maintenance, cleaning, fault and mitigation records are available

Evidence gaps increase uncertainty even where the system looks orderly.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Inverter trips, alarms, shutdowns or known faults are documented and followed up

Unexplained shutdowns or repeated alarms should not be ignored.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

5. Environment and fire-load observations

Record observations for review. This questionnaire does not assess fire development or structural safety.

General cleanliness of PV panels and array area

Record known soiling for maintenance review without climbing onto the roof or approaching equipment.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Leaves, nesting material, rodents or combustible debris near PV equipment

Combustible debris near DC equipment increases consequence risk.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Water pooling, gutter overflow or drainage issues near PV cabling/connectors

Water exposure can compound DC connector risk.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

6. Inverter, battery and other equipment

Battery and EV hazards need separate specialist assessment. These answers do not establish equipment safety.

Inverter is accessible, clean and ventilated

Heat, dust, blocked access and poor ventilation can increase risk.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Combustible storage close to inverter, battery or electrical equipment

Storage around equipment can increase consequence risk.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Are batteries installed on site?

Presence and unknown status trigger a reminder for separate battery-specific review, not a risk rating.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Battery location, access and manufacturer safety information

Record existing information only. Chemistry, stored-energy and emergency-response hazards require separate specialist review.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Are EV chargers or PV-charged EVs present or planned?

Context only. EV and charging hazards are outside this checklist and require separate review where applicable.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

7. Emergency information and people

Record arrangements, competencies, availability and limits of authority. No response tactics are generated.

Relevant staff understand DC danger zones and that PV modules can remain live in sunlight

PV circuits can remain energised after AC shutdown; other supplies and stored energy may remain. Document awareness without treating it as technical authorisation.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Company-level PV safety training exists

Company training helps prevent knowledge loss when individual staff leave.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Trained responsible people are currently available on site or on call

Record role-specific competencies, authorisations, cover arrangements and actual availability.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Fire wardens, security, maintenance or OHS staff are PV-aware

A site contact or fire warden is not automatically a technically authorised person or emergency responder.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

There is a process when trained staff leave or roles change

Training readiness must survive staff turnover.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Site-level PV emergency SOP exists

Record the responsible owner and approval/review status. This questionnaire does not create or approve an emergency procedure.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Evacuation plan updated for PV-related routes, access and exclusions

PV can affect roof access, fire-service entry and evacuation planning.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Fire department or emergency responder engagement

Record contact or information-sharing arrangements; notice alone does not confirm dispatch integration, responder competence or operational approval.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Additional light-blocking response equipment on site, if any

Optional equipment is recorded without credit. It is not a generic substitute for shutdown or isolation; its applicability, limitations and trained users require review.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Training and procedures for the reported response equipment

Review product-specific instructions, authorisations, availability, condition, quantity and access. This checklist provides no application instructions.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

All electrical sources and site hazards are recorded

Include PV arrays, batteries, grid supplies, generators and other sources, plus relevant site access and occupancy information.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Shutdown/isolation boundaries and residual hazards are documented

Record what each control actually affects and what remains energised or contains stored energy. Electrical condition and suitability are not verified by this form.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Emergency information has an owner, review date and marked unknowns

Include responsible contacts, technical review status, version and arrangements to give responders current information through the designated command channel.

Evidence reference / note (optional)

Entering a reference does not verify a claim. Notes are not sent to the site by this plugin.

Support the PVRX Safety Journey

The PVRX Basic Risk Check is provided free of charge to help make PV safety, DC risk awareness, emergency planning and site readiness more accessible.

Your voluntary support helps us continue developing practical PV safety tools, checklists, awareness material and resources for the South African solar environment.

Contributions are made in R50 increments. Simply increase the quantity if you would like to contribute more.

Thank you for supporting the journey and helping us work toward making PV safety a priority.

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