Fire safety requirements for solar panel installations on roof

Solar panel installations are required to be set apart from the roof and the occupied space beneath by providing a 1-hour fire-rated separation.

To support national sustainability goals and facilitate the broader adoption of solar panel installations across Singapore, a workgroup led by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was formed in March 2024 comprising representatives from relevant government agencies, industry specialist, professional institutions, and academia. The workgroup reviewed the fire safety requirements of 1-hour fire separation for roof-mounted solar panel installations.

Through close partnership with the industry and academia, SCDF reviewed the requirement and considered the following alternatives:

1. Apply fire engineering approach to evaluate fire risk;
2. Use less combustible solar panel, and increase gap between solar panel and roof; or
3. Install fire alarm system, and increase gap between solar panel and roof

The simplified processes exempt more than half of all solar panel installations on metal-roofed buildings from fire separation requirements, allowing eligible building owners to save up to 30% on total construction cost.

Solar panels installed at least 20cm above roof

Read more here.