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 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.