Commercial PV solar IEC 61730 vs EN 13501-1: The importance of building-level fire evaluation for roof top installations
Building-level fire evaluation for Commercial PV solar is very important. Strong fire safety is not simply a matter of regulatory compliance, it is essential for safeguarding occupants, protecting vital assets, and keeping business running.
Commercial PV Solar systems are now central to sustainable energy plans, helping businesses reduce operational costs, lower carbon emissions, and show environmental responsibility. As adoption rises, so does the need to address rooftop fire safety risks posed by new electrical infrastructure and materials.
Why fire safety is critical in rooftop solar PV
Installing PV systems on commercial rooftops introduces additional electrical components and combustible materials.
Why fire safety is critical in rooftop solar PV
While the majority of systems operate reliably over their lifespan, any fire incident can have serious consequences for safety and business operations such as:
Risk to human Life
Property damage
Business interruption
Given these considerations, fire safety in solar PV must be integrated into planning, design, procurement, installation, operation, and ongoing maintenance, as set out by RC62 and industry best practice.
The latest edition of RC62 is endorsed by insurers, SEUK, and the MCS, and sets out best practice for all stages of a project.
(Note: individual insurance companies may have requirements beyond or different from general best practice and JCoP guidance.)
Routine inspections, periodic testing, and clear documentation/handover are essential to identify early-stage faults and prevent fire risk, as recommended by RC62, MCS, and the IET PV Code of Practice.
Government research and official guidance on PV fire safety
Recent research commissioned by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Health and Safety Executive as the Building Safety Regulator provides valuable insight into the fire risks associated with rooftop PV.
A 2023 literature review consolidates experimental findings, incident data, and regulatory frameworks to show how commercial PV systems can alter fire dynamics and introduce new hazards for buildings and firefighting operations (Government, 2026).
The research pays special attention to building-applied PV systems, which are commonly retrofitted onto existing roofs and can change how fires behave on rooftops.
PV panels often create semi-enclosed spaces above the roof, trapping heat and redirecting flames toward the roof surface.
Experimental studies show heat fluxes under PV arrays can reach up to 50 kW/m², far higher than the 12.5 kW/m² used in standard test methods.
Factors like the gap height between the PV panel and roof. Flame spread may be up to 38 times faster when these gaps are too small.
Existing tests and building guidance in England do not fully reflect the unique fire scenarios created by PV installations, and they mainly assess roof coverings alone.
PV systems operating on direct current pose ongoing electrical hazards during firefighting, and their presence can block access, ventilation, and increase chemical or explosion risks if batteries are also installed.
The review highlights the need for improved design practices and updated testing and classification methods to make sure that rooftop PV installations do not compromise building fire safety. These recommendations should guide future technical policy and industry standards.
Government initiatives and funding for solar PV
To support the growth of safe and sustainable solar power, the UK government has introduced several initiatives and funding opportunities for solar PV installations for businesses. Eligibility, application requirements, and funding levels vary.
How fire performance is currently evaluated
Fire performance of rooftop PV modules is primarily evaluated according to IEC 61730, which assesses the module’s inherent fire safety characteristics.
These standard covers:
Electrical safety
Making sure modules are designed to prevent electrical faults that could lead to fire.
Basic fire behaviour
Testing for how flames spread on the module surface and how well the module resists burning from external sources like burning brands (classified as Class A/B/C, where Class A is the most fire-resistant and Class C the least).
Compliance with IEC 61730 is mandatory for PV modules, and leading manufacturers meet these requirements. However, IEC 61730 only addresses standalone module testing and does not assess how modules behave as part of a complete building system during an actual fire scenario.
IEC 61730 vs EN 13501 1 (Euroclass): Different risk perspectives
IEC 61730
IEC 61730 provides product-level safety assurance but has notable limitations:
Component focus
IEC standards test individual modules, not their integration into buildings.
Limited fire scenario simulation
The standard does not mimic actual building fire dynamics, where multiple materials interact.
EN 13501-1
Euroclass (EN 13501-1) is the standard used to assess the fire performance of construction materials, including PV modules, when installed as part of the building structure. Unlike IEC 61730, Euroclass delivers a comprehensive evaluation based on:
Contribution to fire
Euroclass assigns classes from A1 (non-combustible material, and it will not burn at all) to F (easily flammable, and offers little resistance to fire).
Smoke production
Ratings range from s1 (low smoke production, generates little smoke) to s3 (high smoke production, generates a lot of smoke).
Flaming droplets/particles
Ratings D0 (none) to D2 (significant).
Euroclass offers a more realistic risk assessment by simulating real fire scenarios and demonstrating how PV modules interact with other building materials during a fire. This enables authorities, insurers, and lenders to accurately evaluate and mitigate overall project risk.
Why Euroclass matters for rooftop commercial PV solar
Euroclass matters for rooftop PV because the distinction between component-level and building-level fire assessment is critical in real-world applications.
A PV module that meets IEC 61730 may still pose a significant fire risk to the building if it does not achieve an appropriate Euroclass rating.
For this reason, Euroclass sets the benchmark for rooftop PV fire safety:
Complete System Assessment
Stakeholder Confidence
Regulatory Compliance
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How many solar panel fires are there in the UK?
Fire incidents involving solar photovoltaic (PV) systems increased from 3 in 2010 to 59 in 2025, across all the year’s, 539 in total (Government, 2026).
Is there a fire risk with solar panels?
Yes, solar panels are a relatively new technology, and people aren’t as aware of the need for regular maintenance as they are with their gas boiler. They tend to put them on the roof and forget about them, but that creates a considerable risk, as we’ve seen with these recent fires.
What are the safety precautions for solar panels?
The Importance of Solar Panel Safety:
Using proper fall protection equipment, such as harnesses and safety lines, to prevent falls from the rooftop.
Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, safety glasses, and work boots, to protect against potential hazards.
What are the hazards of commercial PV solar systems?
These faults and other system failures, including cable insulation breakdowns, module ruptures, and faulty connections, can create hot spots that ignite combustible material in their vicinity. Incorrectly installed or defective system components have also caused several PV fires.
At Excel Energy we are setting the standard for solar PV fire safety
Safety must remain the highest priority as businesses transition to renewable energy. Relying solely on IEC 61730 risks overlooking critical fire hazards present in actual rooftop PV installations. Euroclass (EN 13501-1) establishes the required building fire safety standard, making sure that PV modules contribute to protecting people, property, and business operations.
When specifying, installing, or approving rooftop PV systems, it is important to require both IEC and Euroclass certification. This approach helps with compliance, reduces risk, and supports a safer, more sustainable future for your business.
If you would like to find out more about commercial solar PV systems or need detailed information on maintenance best practices to reduce fire risks, contact our team today!
We offer a free, no-obligation desktop consultation with one of our renewable energy specialists.