NB/T 11345-2023 in English

In-Depth Interpretation of NB/T 11345-2023 Photovoltaic Power Station Safety Signage Specification

With the rapid development of the photovoltaic power generation industry, the safe operation and management of power stations is becoming increasingly important. As my country's first industry standard specifically for photovoltaic power station safety signage, NB/T 11345-2023, "Specification for Visual Safety Signage for Photovoltaic Power Stations," provides systematic technical guidance for the installation of safety signs during power station construction and operation.

Background of Standard Development and Technological Evolution

This specification was first released in 2023. It was proposed and coordinated by the China Electricity Council and co-drafted by Wuling Electric Power Co., Ltd. and other organizations. The standard was developed with full consideration of the particularities of photovoltaic power stations, incorporating experience from traditional power safety signage to specifically address the safety risks unique to photovoltaic power generation.

The evolution of standard technology is mainly reflected in three dimensions: from universality to specialization, adding photovoltaic-specific identification requirements based on basic standards such as GB 2894; from singularity to systematization, establishing an identification system covering the entire power station area; from functionality to intelligence, reserving technical interfaces for future digital identification management.

Analysis of the Safety Identification Classification System

The standard divides photovoltaic power station safety identification into four categories and establishes a complete classification system:

Key Area Signage Requirements

Photovoltaic Array Area Signage

The photovoltaic array, as the core area of a power station, requires a combination of signs near the entrance, including nine types of signs, such as equipment identification, safety precautions, fire warnings, and electric shock warnings. Specifically for water-based photovoltaic projects, specific signage requirements for ship berths have been added. Critical equipment such as combiner boxes, inverters, and transformers must all be labeled accordingly. The entrance to the inverter room requires a combination of five types of signs to ensure workers fully understand the risks. Booster Station Area Signage System: As high-voltage equipment is concentrated, booster stations require even stricter signage. Entrances must incorporate 12 types of signs, covering electrical safety, fire and explosion prevention, and personal protection. Special areas, such as GIS equipment compartments, require specialized signs such as "Caution of Ionizing Radiation" and "Caution of Poisoning." Battery rooms require signs that warn of corrosion, demonstrating the standard's emphasis on the safety of special equipment.

Logo technical parameters and design requirements

Appendix A of the standard specifies the design parameters of four types of logos in detail and establishes a complete size system:

The standard allows a 3% dimensional error while providing the flexibility of proportional scaling to ensure applicability in different application scenarios.

Technical Requirements for Safety Warning Lines

Chapter 11 of the standard specifies the requirements for the installation of seven types of safety warning lines, establishing a three-dimensional warning system:

• Safety Warning Line: 600mm-800mm around the perimeter of equipment cabinets
• Head-Bump Prevention Line: Obstacles less than 1.8m in height
• Step-Away Prevention Line: Edges with a height difference of 300mm or more
• Grounding Device Warning Line: The surface of an exposed grounding wire

These warning lines provide visual cues to effectively prevent common safety accidents such as collisions, trips, and steps-away.

Signage Principles and Implementation Points

Setting Height and Viewing Angle Requirements

According to Appendix B, the bottom edge of hanging and column-mounted signs should be no less than 2000mm above the ground to ensure that the signs are within normal sight. The angle between the sign plane and the line of sight should be close to 90°, with a minimum angle of no less than 75°. The standard emphasizes that when multiple safety signs are installed, they should be arranged in the order of warning signs, prohibition signs, instruction signs, and reminder signs, following the principle of left-to-right and top-to-bottom layout to ensure the logical and effective transmission of information. During the power plant construction phase, sign placement should be planned in advance and implemented in phases according to the construction progress. Special attention should be paid to the installation of safety signs at the construction site, such as signs for hazardous areas such as trenches, openings, lifting and hoisting, and height operations. During the operation phase, a sign inspection and maintenance system should be established to regularly check the integrity, clarity, and standardization of sign placement. Damaged, faded, or improperly positioned signs should be promptly replaced and adjusted to ensure their continued effectiveness.

Special environmental adaptability considerations

Appropriate sign materials and processes should be selected for different climatic conditions. Anti-aging properties need to be considered in areas with high UV rays, and anti-corrosion treatment should be emphasized in humid environments to ensure the durability of the signs in different environments.

Technology development trends and standard outlook

With the development of smart photovoltaic power stations, safety signs will evolve towards digitalization and intelligence. In the future, digital technologies such as QR codes and NFC may be integrated to achieve the expansion and interaction of sign information. Subsequent revisions to the standard should consider the application of new technologies and maintain technological advancement.

The implementation of this standard will significantly improve the safety management level of photovoltaic power stations and provide important technical support for the healthy development of the industry. Each photovoltaic power station should formulate a detailed sign implementation plan based on its own characteristics to ensure the full implementation of the standard requirements.