Fire performance of roofs with pv panels
Disclaimer:
Information in this section relates to research and testing programmes on the fire performance of flat roofs fitted with photovoltaic (PV) panels. These programmes were conducted using specific test methods, configurations, and boundary conditions, and may relate to specific products, systems, or assembly methods.
The results are provided for information purposes only and reflect the conditions under which the respective tests or studies were carried out. Fire performance may be influenced by a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, roof build‑up, insulation type, PV system design, installation details, the test method applied, and applicable national regulatory frameworks.
While PU Europe has taken reasonable care to review the relevance and credibility of the referenced publications, it makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or applicability of the information to other products, roof configurations, or real‑world situations.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as a warranty, guarantee, certification, or endorsement of any product, system, or solution, nor as legal, technical, or regulatory advice.
PU Europe research programme:
Other research programmes carried out on behalf of national PU industry associations:
ANPE (IT)
- ANPE article: ANPE comparative tests on roofs with photovoltaic systems (December 2024)
- ANPE article in Italian (pages 9 to 11)
- Video on ANPE YouTube channel
SIPUR (PL)
ITB technical opinion paper: Opinion of Building Research Institute (ITB) concerning the tests and assessment of fire spread in roofs with PV systems tested in fire conditions (February 2025)
ITB technical opinion paper in Polish: Opinia techniczna dot. badań i oceny stopnia rozprzestrzeniania ognia układów dachowych z instalacją fotowoltaiczną w warunkach pożaru
Overview – Comparative tests performed on behalf of PU industry associations:
Additional publications of test programs:
- The performance of two Dutch flat roof constructions in the event of a fire in a PV system (tests done by Efectis for Kingspan)
- Experimental study of the fire behaviour on flat roof constructions with multiple photovoltaic (PV) panels (PU on top of an EPS roof)
- Special experiment on fire spread under photovoltaic modules on a foil roof (in German)