Roof solar panels
Solar panels involve arrangements that must be taken into account to secure rescue operations. When installing solar panels on the roof of a building, it is necessary to ensure that they do not substantially increase the risk of fire spreading on the roofing or the sub-roof. The risk assessment may be based on the fire load and fire properties of the solar panels and the mounting materials used.
At the moment, the Decree on the Fire Safety of Buildings (848/2017) only takes a position on green roofs and solar panels in the justification memorandum (section 28).
Safety arrangements for securing rescue operations
Sites without an automatic fire detector
- A safety switch must be installed along the roof’s fire extinguishing route, for example in the AC machine room or main distribution room.
- A high voltage warning label must be placed next to the safety switch. Instructions and a laminated diagram of the roof and the solar panel locations must be mounted on a wall nearby.
- A sign must be added to stairwells stating “Rakennuksen katolla aurinkopaneeleita, turvakytkin paikassa X” (“Solar panels on the building roof, safety switch in location X”).
Sites with an automatic fire detector
- A safety switch must be installed along the roof’s fire extinguishing route, for example in the AC machine room or main distribution room, near the fire detector control equipment.
- A high voltage warning label must be placed next to the safety switch. Instructions and a laminated diagram of the roof and solar panel locations must be mounted on a wall nearby.
- A sign must be added near the fire detector stating “Rakennuksen katolla aurinkopaneeleita, turvakytkin paikassa X” (“Solar panels on the building roof, safety switch in location X”).
For fire safety reasons, installing solar panels on a green roof is not recommended.
Read more:
Rescue Act 379/2011, section 9
Ministry of the Environment Decree on the Fire Safety of Buildings 848/2017
Fire safety instructions for photovoltaic systems (pdf)
