Why is the fire safety of a roof with solar panels important?

 

• Solar panels increase the fire risk of a roof. Heat is trapped between the panel and the roof, and fire can spread faster under the panels than on an open roof.

• The roof insulation is the most important factor. If there is combustible insulation under the panels, such as EPS (expanded polystyrene), a small fault or a fire started by a spark can grow into a major roof fire.

• More than half of documented solar panel fires are related to the installation: connectors, cables and roof penetrations.

• Solar panels are live in daylight even when the building’s electricity is switched off. This makes firefighting more dangerous for rescuers.

 

Who is the roof fire safety assessment for?

 

• Apartment associations and building owners planning a solar power plant on an existing roof.

• Owners of commercial, warehouse and industrial buildings with a flat roof.

• Schools, kindergartens, care homes and hospitals, where the consequences of a fire would be most severe.

• Solar power plant sellers and installers who want to give their client certainty that the roof is suitable.

• Property managers and building owners with insurance questions.

 

What does the assessment include?

 

• Assessment of the fire sensitivity of the roof structure, insulation and roof covering (based on documents and, if necessary, an inspection opening).

• Assessment of the solar panel layout: array size, spacing, distance from fire walls, roof windows and smoke vents.

• Rescue team access to the roof and the location of the solar plant’s shut-off points.

• Written recommendations: whether the roof is suitable for installation as it is, what protective layer is needed or how to change the layout.

 

What recommendations are coming in Europe?

 

The European Commission is preparing fire safety guidance for implementing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD, EU 2024/1275). The directive introduces an obligation for solar energy solutions on buildings. The draft guidance (FS-REBuild) was presented in September 2026 and is expected to be adopted in 2027. Among other things, the draft includes the following recommendations:

• New buildings must have non-combustible roof insulation (class A1 or A2) under the solar panels, or an equivalent solution proven by testing.

• On an existing roof, a roof fire safety assessment must be carried out before installing solar panels. A non-combustible protective layer must be installed on a roof with EPS insulation.

• A single solar panel array may be up to 40 × 40 m, with at least 2 m between arrays. There must be at least 2.5 m from fire walls, roof windows and smoke vents.

These requirements are not yet mandatory in Estonia. If you take them into account now, you will not have to rebuild the roof later.

 

What documents are needed?

 

1. The building design or a roof section (if available).

2. The solar plant design or panel layout (if available).

3. Information about the roof covering and insulation (for example construction documents or renovation records).

If there are no documents, we determine the roof build-up on site.

 

How long does it take?

 

• Site inspection: usually 1–2 hours.

• Written assessment: usually 5–10 working days after the inspection.

 

Frequently asked questions

Can solar panels be installed on a roof with EPS insulation?

 

Yes, but the risk must be mitigated. The most common solution is a non-combustible protective layer between the insulation and the panels. We choose a suitable solution based on the roof build-up.

Is a roof fire safety assessment mandatory?

 

Not in Estonia at the moment. The guidance being prepared by the European Commission recommends it for existing roofs, and it may become a requirement in the future. The assessment gives you certainty that the investment is safe and will also meet future requirements.

How large can a single solar panel array on a roof be?

 

The draft European guidance recommends a maximum array size of 40 × 40 m and at least 2 m between arrays. The exact solution depends on the building and the roof.

How far must solar panels be from smoke vents and fire walls?

 

The recommended distance is at least 2.5 m, so that the smoke vents can work and fire does not spread over the fire wall.

Is the assessment also suitable for an apartment association?

 

Yes. The assessment helps the association’s board make an informed decision and give the installer clear conditions.

Who carries out the assessment?

 

A Tulipunane OÜ fire safety expert, qualification level 6. Our work is covered by liability insurance.