As Europe accelerates the deployment of rooftop photovoltaic systems to support the energy transition, ensuring fire safety through a system-based approach has become a key priority for the construction sector. This is the focus of the EUMEPS Rooftop PV Fire Safety campaign, which promotes evidence-based guidance, large-scale fire testing and a holistic assessment of complete roof assemblies rather than individual materials.
These principles were at the heart of the technical conference organised by the S2E Alliance in Madrid, where Emanuela Gallo, Technical Affairs Manager at EUMEPS, presented the latest European research on the fire performance of flat roofs incorporating photovoltaic systems. Her presentation highlighted the importance of assessing the interaction between the roof structure, insulation, photovoltaic modules and fire protection measures to ensure safe and predictable performance.
The event also showcased the work of ANAPE, the Spanish Association of Expanded Polystyrene Manufacturers and a valued member of the EUMEPS network. As a member of the S2E Alliance, ANAPE contributed to the development of the new design guide for photovoltaic roofs and continues to promote technical best practice for safe, durable and energy-efficient roofing solutions in Spain.
The article below was originally published by Construnario on 2 July 2026 and is reproduced here in English for the benefit of the wider EUMEPS network.
Source: Construnario, "La Alianza S2E reclama una visión integral para reforzar la seguridad contra incendios en cubiertas industriales con fotovoltaica", published on 2 July 2026.
The organisation presents its design guide at the Eduardo Torroja Institute, addressing safety from the perspective of the performance of the complete system, while promoting specific testing, good practice and technical criteria for roofs incorporating solar installations.
The Alliance for Safety and Sustainability in Buildings (S2E) has held the technical conference Fire Safety in Industrial Roofs, an event that took place at the Eduardo Torroja Institute for Construction Science and focused on the challenges arising from the integration of photovoltaic installations on the roofs of industrial and tertiary buildings.
The conference began with the presentation of the Design Guide for Photovoltaic Roofs in Industrial and Tertiary Buildings, published by the S2E Alliance. The event brought together representatives of the various associations that make up the Alliance and contributed to the guide's preparation, together with institutions, professional organisations and sectors involved in fire safety, sustainability and the durability of industrial roofs.
One of the main messages shared during the event was the need to move beyond an approach based solely on the behaviour of materials and towards a system-based approach. The installation of photovoltaic panels changes the operating and service conditions of a roof by introducing additional loads, increased foot traffic, electrical equipment, cabling, fixings, potential interference with smoke ventilation systems and greater maintenance requirements. The speakers therefore agreed that safety must be assessed by considering the combined performance of all the elements involved in the roofing system.
The conference was opened by José Manuel Fernández, Co-Spokesperson of the S2E Alliance and Secretary General of IPUR, who outlined the sector's growing concern regarding fire safety in industrial roofs fitted with photovoltaic installations. Fernández recalled that fire "is the least frequent type of incident, but the one that causes the greatest concern" because of its potential consequences, and argued that the industry must "work together" to develop solutions that are effective, safe and aligned with the needs of all stakeholders.
Mario Serrano, Co-Spokesperson of the S2E Alliance and Secretary General of AIPEX, then presented the guide as a practical reference tool for architects, engineers, designers, installers, maintenance managers and other professionals involved in the design and installation of rooftop photovoltaic systems.
Serrano highlighted the importance of coordinating the requirements of the Fire Safety Regulation for Industrial Establishments, the Technical Building Code and the applicable electrical and technical regulations, as well as carrying out a prior assessment of the roof before installing solar panels. He also emphasised the importance of commissioning, documentation, maintenance and the interaction of the photovoltaic installation with safety elements such as smoke vents, passive fire protection systems and escape routes.
The session dedicated to testing experience was introduced by Raquel López, Co-Spokesperson of the S2E Alliance and Director of ANAPE, and included a presentation by Emanuela Gallo, Technical Affairs Manager at EUMEPS. Gallo presented a number of European initiatives aimed at analysing the fire performance of flat roofs incorporating photovoltaic systems. Based on the tests carried out, she stressed the need to address safety through a holistic approach—considering the roof, insulation, photovoltaic modules and protection solutions—and not solely through the individual classification of materials.
Antonio Galán, Head of Regulatory Affairs and Public Affairs at Kingspan, spoke on behalf of IPUR to present the Protocol for the Refurbishment of Industrial Roofs. During his presentation, he warned that "there are many fire performance terms that are confused" and argued for the need to assess safety based on the performance of the complete roofing system. Galán explained the importance of the BROOF(t1) classification, which assesses the roof's response to external fire exposure, and highlighted the value of large-scale testing in understanding the actual performance of different solutions. In refurbishment projects, where complete information on the existing roof is not always available, he stressed that "if we do not know its performance, we must assume the worst-case scenario".
Raúl Álvarez, Technical Director at Soprema, spoke on behalf of AIFIm about the integration of waterproofing systems and photovoltaic installations on industrial roofs. Álvarez explained that installing panels on a roof changes its service conditions by introducing additional loads, foot traffic, work affecting the waterproofing layer and new associated risks. He also noted that current external fire test methods were not specifically designed for scenarios involving photovoltaic panels, hence the need to move towards assessments of the roofing solution as a whole. He emphasised the importance of reducing risk at the design stage through the provision of walkways, appropriate cable management, compartmentation and the proper integration of all system components.
The final presentation was delivered by Juan Carlos González, Director of Studies and Projects at HIANSA Panel, representing AFEPP. He outlined good practice for the installation of photovoltaic panels on insulated sandwich panels used in pitched industrial roofs. González noted that these solutions are widely used across the sector and highlighted the importance of selecting the appropriate roofing system by verifying not only its fire performance but also its mechanical strength, durability, thermal insulation and integration within the building. In the case of existing roofs, he stressed that "it is essential to carry out a structural audit of the existing structure" to determine the additional loads it can support, and highlighted the need to coordinate all contractors involved in the installation, paying particular attention to the use of watertight fixings and minimising unnecessary roof penetrations.
During the closing discussion, participants agreed on the importance of continuing to develop common criteria, dedicated testing methods and good practice guidelines to ensure that the expansion of photovoltaic systems on industrial roofs is compatible with the highest standards of safety, durability and efficiency.
Through this conference, the S2E Alliance has reinforced its role as a platform for sector-wide collaboration to advance common criteria, safe construction solutions and good practice, enabling the continued expansion of photovoltaic systems on industrial roofs while ensuring the highest standards of safety, durability and efficiency.
The conference demonstrated the importance of closer collaboration between industry associations, manufacturers, researchers and regulators to ensure that the rapid deployment of rooftop photovoltaic systems is accompanied by robust fire safety standards. EUMEPS is proud to contribute to this work through the expertise of Emanuela Gallo, whose presentation reinforced the need to evaluate the fire performance of complete roofing systems rather than individual materials alone.
The event also underlined the valuable contribution of ANAPE, an active member of the EUMEPS network, in advancing technical knowledge and supporting the development of practical guidance for the Spanish market. Together, these efforts reflect EUMEPS' ongoing commitment to promoting safe, sustainable and high-performing EPS insulation solutions across Europe