Flat roofs across Europe face different fire safety rules—with and without PV. From EN 13501-5 (t1–t4) to CLC/TR 50670, VdS Germany and Italy’s 2025 PV law. Discover how AllShield BarrierSheet, an A1 non-combustible cover board, complies in all EU + UK scenarios.
Gypsum cover boards have long been used for roof fire protection, but they are heavy and time-limited. AllShield BarrierSheet is thinner, lighter, non-combustible and tested under PV fire scenarios—making it a proven solution for today’s flat roofs.
PV fire risks don’t stop at borders. In Austria hail, in Spain heat, in Poland rapid installs, triggers differ, but spread is always through combustible roofs. AllShield BarrierSheet cover boards stop fire penetration and make solar rooftops insurable across Europe.
Electrical faults in PV are inevitable — but roof fires are not. ZAG testing proves: with AllShield BarrierSheet, even old combustible roofs become non-combustible, safe, and insurable for solar.
At ESFSS 2025, ZAG, Istituto Giordano and global researchers confirmed: PV faults are inevitable. But only non-combustible roofs stop them from escalating into catastrophic fires. AllShield BarrierSheet & Blue deliver the protection insurers demand.
Did you know the AllShield BarrierSheet is often referred to as a cover board, fire barrier board, or non-combustible roof board? Different names, same purpose: protecting commercial roofs with photovoltaic panels from fire and making them insurable.
Flat roofs with PV systems carry far higher fire loads than bare roofs. Even Class A roof buildups can fail insurers’ criteria. BarrierSheet inserts a mineral, non-combustible barrier that stops fire penetration. ZAG testing confirms: flames extinguish and spread is eliminated.
Some insurers exclude PV on combustible roofs—not to block renewables, but because the risks are real. A policy without prevention is an illusion of safety. Facts show: ~1% of building fires involve PV; models predict 29 fires/GW/year. The solution: PV only on non-combustible roofs.
Many companies want solar panels but face refusal from their insurer. AllShield provides non-combustible solutions that make flat roofs fire-safe and insurable. Independently tested by FM, ZAG and KIWA.
Insurance pays for buildings, not lost clients or reputation. With rooftop solar, fire risk is higher than ever. Independent ZAG tests prove AllShield BarrierSheets & Blue coatings stop flames from spreading — creating nearly unburnable roofs that protect continuity.
Inspections such as the UK’s IET Code of Practice or the US NEC improve PV safety. But none of them can prevent every incident over 25 years. Only a non-combustible roof ensures that a small PV fault never becomes a catastrophic fire.
FM 4484 is the new FM Approvals fire-safety standard for roofs with solar panels. It defines how retrofit coatings are tested under realistic PV-fire conditions — setting a global benchmark for insurable solar roofs. AllShield Blue is FM 4484 Approved.
