Fire protection for photovoltaic systems: What is important for safety
Fires caused by solar systems are rare. With tested components, they can be almost completely ruled out. Megasol relies on the highest standards in fire protection, from the choice of materials to system testing.
Fire protection test at MPA Dresden: During the fire protection test, the solar modules are deliberately exposed to flames from above.
A cable fire in the attic: this is the image that many people have in mind when they think of photovoltaics and fire. But how real is this danger really? Studies and practical experience show a clear picture: fewer than one in 20,000 solar systems has ever been affected by a fire (Fraunhofer Institut, 2013). The probability is therefore lower than for many other electrical appliances in the home. The risk of fire is no higher than for other electrical installations. Anyone who pays attention to quality in the material, planning and execution of a solar system significantly reduces the already low risk even further.
Module design makes the difference
At Megasol, fire protection begins with the design of the modules: all solar modules are manufactured exclusively in a glass-glass construction: the solar cells, which are combustible in principle, are embedded between two non-combustible glass layers. This means that the modules meet the same protection requirements as other tested roof and facade components and can be installed on flat or pitched roofs without additional fire protection measures.
Megasol's in-roof modules, such as the NICER X product range, achieve particularly high safety standards. Unlike rooftop systems, they completely replace the classic roof covering. The modules thus simultaneously perform the function of the outer roof cladding, including protection against external influences such as fire or lightning strikes. Because the additional layer of tiles is not required for in-roof systems, certification of high fire protection classes is particularly important here.
"Megasol pays attention to fire safety when selecting materials and tests all systems."
Patrick Frei-Frauchiger, Head of Quality Management / Head of Certifications
Safety goes beyond the individual components
All Megasol solar modules and their associated assembly components are regularly tested and certified by independent laboratories – individually for each product line and their planned area of application as in-roof, on-roof or facade solutions. The decisive factor here is how the entire system reacts to different fire scenarios. These system tests provide reliable information on how the system will behave in an emergency and go far beyond the testing of individual components.
The fire protection testing of our solar modules and assembly systems is carried out in accordance with the relevant European and national standards. It guarantees a high level of protection, regardless of the location, the assembly system and the type of installation. The following text box provides an overview of the standards and fire protection classes that have been achieved or fulfilled by Megasol systems through testing and inspection to date.
- DIN EN 13823 (SBI-test): Fire behaviour test for building materials
- CEN/TS 1187: Test method for roofs exposed to external fire
- DIN EN 13501-5: Fire classification of roof coverings
- DIN EN 13501-1: Classification of the reaction to fire performance of construction products
- DIN EN 13501-5: Classification of the resistance to fire performance of roofs (e.g. BROOF(t1))
- UNI 9177: Italian classification for building materials
- DIN 4102-1: National classification in Germany
- B - s1, d0 (according EN 13501-1): very low fire behaviour, hardly any smoke, no burning droplets
- Class E (according EN 13501-1): basic fire protection
- BROOF(t1): highest protection against flying sparks and radiant heat (according to EN 13501-5)
- "Hard roofing" (according DIN EN 13501-5): meets the requirements for roofing with high resistance
- Class 1 or 2 (according UNI 9177): Italian classification
- B1 (according DIN 4102-1): flame retardant
Design and installation are crucial for fire protection
High-quality, certified components – such as those offered by Megasol – pose little risk of fire in photovoltaic systems. More important for safety are proper planning and a cleanly executed installation. The most common causes of fires in solar systems are:
- components that were incorrectly sized in the planning phase,
- defective or low-quality connectors and cabling,
- improper installation with components that are not compatible with one another.
These risks can be reliably avoided by relying on tested components and an experienced specialist company from the outset. Megasol also supplies the appropriate cables with each module and provides targeted support to specialist planners – particularly for complex projects or specific questions regarding fire protection.
Additional protection through non-flammable insulation
Regardless of the type of installation – whether a rooftop or in-roof system – choosing the right insulation material can further increase fire protection. With "Premium Roof", Megasol offers a solution that combines a high-performance in-roof solar installation with ISORIGID non-flammable insulation from ISOVER.
ISORIGID insulation panels are made from 80 per cent recycled glass, are manufactured in Switzerland and are naturally non-flammable – without the addition of flame retardants. ISORIGID also improves the building's summer and winter protection and sound insulation, thus providing added value in terms of safety and living comfort.
Support for the fire brigade
Fire protection can be further increased even beyond the precautions mentioned. In an emergency, simple measures can prevent a fire from causing major damage to the building or hindering the work of the emergency services.
This includes regular, professional maintenance of the photovoltaic system as well as clear instructions for the fire brigade. For example, a sticker indicating that a solar energy system is installed on the building – especially if it is not visible at first glance.
An additional fire department switch, which can be used to disconnect the system from the power supply, significantly increases safety for emergency personnel. Existing systems can usually be retrofitted without any problems. It is also helpful to have a site plan showing the location of the PV modules, main lines and inverters. This plan should be kept in an accessible location outside the building so that it is immediately available in an emergency.
Disclaimer: We have taken great care with the content of this article. Nevertheless, we cannot rule out errors. The validity of the content is limited to the time of publication. Fire protection must always be checked on a building-by-building basis and individual requirements may differ from the standard, which is why the final decision lies with the cantonal building insurers (CH) or the authorities of the relevant state.
