Particle Board Limited Rooftop PV Fire Spread
Researchers demonstrated that 12 mm cement-bonded boards restricted flame propagation during rooftop PV fire tests.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Energy
Live Poll
Is it a good time for homeowners to prioritize fire-resistant upgrades for rooftop solar systems?
In tests concluded in April 2025 at the Troned Training Factory, researchers demonstrated that installing 12 mm cement-bonded particle board under photovoltaic modules prevents self-sustained flame spread. The findings confirm that the material acts as a thermal buffer, limiting heat transfer during simulated rooftop fires.
Why it matters
As residential and commercial solar adoption increases, mitigating fire risks from overheating PV assemblies has become a priority for building safety. These findings provide a tested method to reduce flame propagation hazards in existing roof membrane systems.
The researchers utilized 12 mm cement-bonded particle board to protect against a 15 kW gas burner ignition source applied for 10 minutes. The assembly prevented self-sustained flame spread compared to control roofs, though testing identified that high wind loads remain a factor in flame expansion.
The players
Troned Training Factory
A research facility based at the Twente Safety Campus in the Netherlands specializing in large-scale fire safety experiments.
The details
The experimental setup involved 7 m x 7 m roof assemblies incorporating 1.8 mm PVC roofing membranes and EPS (expanded polystyrene) insulation. Researchers installed the 12 mm cement-bonded particle board between these layers to function as a heat sink, which absorbs thermal energy and prevents it from reaching the flammable insulation below. The team monitored these interfaces using up to 30 thermocouples (devices that convert temperature into electrical signals) during each test session.
Timeline
Testing at the Troned Training Factory commenced in October 2024.
The testing period concluded in April 2025.
The Tech Race
This study follows a growing body of research at the Twente Safety Campus aimed at establishing safety benchmarks for rooftop solar installations. It specifically tests how rigid building materials can counter the fire risks posed by standard PV array configurations and underlying roofing insulation.
These findings provide building designers and safety engineers with a validated material specification to reduce fire risks in rooftop solar systems. Future implementation depends on building code updates that may mandate such thermal barriers for specific solar-covered roof assembly types.
The takeaway
The research establishes that cement-bonded boards are a viable mechanism for limiting fire spread beneath solar modules. Industry stakeholders should watch for upcoming technical standards or building codes that incorporate these thermal barrier requirements for PV-integrated roofing systems.
Further reading
For more on the latest research in power infrastructure and safety, visit Energy.
Live Poll
Is it a good time for homeowners to prioritize fire-resistant upgrades for rooftop solar systems?
