Position paper issued on fire safety for rooftop solar PV installations

Authored by Tom Raftery (head of sustainability at Bauder), the position paper is brought forward on behalf of the NFRC, the Bitumen Flat Roofing Association, the Green Roof Organisation, the Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association, the Mastic Asphalt Council, Solar Energy UK and the Single Ply Roofing Association.

In essence, the position paper sets out the roofing industry’s considered response to RC62, advocating for a more nuanced and risk-based interpretation, particularly so in relation to flat roofing systems.

The document calls for design decisions to be grounded in ‘whole-system’ performance and real-world test data “rather than rigid material classifications”.

The position paper’s appearance follows in the wake of extensive engagement by the NFRC and partners with the RISCAuthority, which has now agreed to revise the RC62 guidance. A formal consultation process on the updated version is currently open, although the revised guidance is not expected to be published for some time.

Commenting on the position paper, Gary Walpole (technical, safety, health and environment officer at the NFRC) explained: “The NFRC is proud to support the development of this position paper, ensuring that flat roofs are appropriately considered within solar PV fire safety guidance. As ‘solar’ becomes exponentially more widespread in its adoption, we must ensure that guidance remains up-to-date and accessible.”

Critical gap for insurers

In the absence of formal Government regulations or guidance, not to mention relevant British or European Standards, the RC62 set of recommendations was developed by the RISC Authority and the Fire Protection Association, in partnership with the solar industry, to fill a critical gap for insurers when assessing risks associated with rooftop solar PV installations to flat roofs. Its purpose was clear: to provide consistent and well-informed guidance that could be used to support risk evaluation and mitigation strategies when installing building-applied rooftop solar PV arrays.

Since its release, RC62 has become a widely respected and influential set of recommendations, adopted not only by insurers, but also the solar PV industry itself, specifiers and building consultants right across the UK and beyond.

The position paper states: “RC62 is still largely relevant. This durability highlights the strength of its foundational approach, focusing on principles and fire risk awareness rather than rigid technical prescriptions. However, it’s important to remember that RC62 is not a test or classification standard and was never intended to be applied as a simple yes/no checklist. It’s a guide to help assess risk and inform design decisions, not a binary rulebook. Treating it as such risks overlooking important nuances and may even lead to design decisions that could ultimately increase risk.”

It also observes: “As the solar industry continues to evolve, guidance must continue to evolve with it. The RC62 recommendations remain an extremely valuable resource, but only if we treat them as a framework for evaluation and not a static rulebook. Doing so will allow us to embrace innovation, mitigate risks and maintain high standards of safety in an ever-changing industry.”