PV fires don’t spread because of the panels. They spread because of the roof. Large-scale ZAG and FM tests confirm it. When the roof is non-combustible, fire remains local and self-extinguishes. This changes how we should design and insure PV roofs.
RC62 is changing how insurers assess PV roofs in the UK. One key takeaway: avoid combustible roof build-ups. But what if your roof already contains them? Here’s how to control fire risk and make existing roofs insurable under RC62.
Skylights are designed to bring daylight into buildings, but within a PV roof system they can become the weakest link in a fire. The real question is no longer whether your roof is compliant, but whether it will hold when fire develops next to a skylight.
Fire safety thinking for rooftop solar has evolved significantly over the past three decades. What started as a focus on electrical faults in PV systems has gradually expanded into a broader understanding of installation quality, ageing systems and the interaction between PV arrays and roof constructions. This article explains the four phases of PV fire safety thinking and what the next phase may look like.
Installing PV on an existing roof? The first question should not be about the panels, but about the roof itself. Research shows that ignition risk may increase, but fire spread is largely determined by the roof build-up, especially the insulation. Here is a structured way to assess PV fire risk properly.
In rooftop PV fire safety, many solutions exist but the overall approach often lacks structure. Arc fault detection, spacing, monitoring and roof materials each address different parts of the fire risk. We explain how we analyse photovoltaic fire risk through a structured seven-layer model and why structure is essential.
On large PV roofs, installation speed matters as much as fire performance. At Intersolar, we showed how AllShield BarrierSheet can be installed together with PIR insulation in one run, using standard fastening equipment. No extra tools. No second round. Faster workflow, same crew, fire-safe roof assembly.
Is a cement board required for fire protection under PV systems on flat roofs? This knowledge article explains whether AllShield BarrierSheet can be used as an alternative and how both solutions compare in function performance and roof load.
AllShield BarrierSheet is FM Approved for FM 4478 PV roof assemblies. The non-combustible mineral cover board delivers proven downward fire protection, supporting fire-safe and insurable photovoltaic roofs worldwide.
AllShield BarrierSheet is now FM 4470 Approved as a mineral cover board for flat industrial roofs. This approval confirms compliance with the global benchmark for fire-safe and insurable roof assemblies, enabling FM Approved Class 1 Roof systems with approved membranes.
Broof(Tx) tells only part of the story. PV fires start under the panel, not above the roof. Discover why Broof(Tx) is not enough and how AllShield BarrierSheet protects roofs against real downward fire.
New research by QBE Insurance shows a 60% rise in rooftop fires caused by solar panels. The main culprits: aging systems and combustible roofs. The solution is clear — install solar panels only on non-combustible surfaces like AllShield BarrierSheet or AllShield Blue.
