🔧 Engineering & Regulatory Standard

RC62 Fire Safety Recommendations & Commercial Solar Insurance

Ensuring Insurability: Meeting RISCAuthority & Joint Code Standards for Rooftop Solar

A vital risk-management guide for facilities directors and risk managers covering RISCAuthority RC62 recommendations, combustible insulation mitigation, DC arc-fault detection, and commercial building insurance compliance.

Key Technical Principles

✓ Compliance with RISCAuthority RC62 ("Recommendations for fire safety with photovoltaic panel installations") is increasingly mandated by major UK commercial property insurers
✓ Requires non-combustible roof insulation (Euroclass A1/A2) directly beneath arrays or certified thermal barrier membranes
✓ Specification of DC Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) and rapid-shutdown inverter technology to prevent electrical arcing
✓ Mandatory thermal imaging thermographic inspections and regular preventive maintenance routines
✓ Early insurer notification protocols prevent commercial building policy invalidation during solar installation

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Why Commercial Insurers Scrutinize Rooftop Solar

Commercial property insurers (such as Aviva, Allianz, AXA, and Zurich) actively support renewable energy, but manage risk regarding electrical fire ignition and roof penetration. Historical industry data identified that over 90% of solar fire events stem from DC electrical faults—particularly improperly installed DC connectors, DC isolator water ingress, or electrical arcing across high-voltage direct-current strings. Consequently, leading UK insurers evaluate commercial rooftop arrays against the RISCAuthority RC62 standards published by the Fire Protection Association (FPA).

Key Physical Standards of the RC62 Framework

• **Roof Cladding & Insulation**: Arrays should ideally be installed over non-combustible roof insulation (Euroclass A1 or A2-s1, d0). Where combustible insulation (such as EPS or non-FR composite panels) is present, insurers require non-combustible mineral wool thermal barriers or fire-resistant backing boards. • **External Fire Spread Classification**: Solar modules and roof coverings must achieve recognized external fire performance ratings, such as BROOF(t4) under BS EN 13501-5. • **Clear Access Zones & Walkways**: Mandatory 1m to 1.5m perimeter borders and access corridors between panel rows to facilitate firefighter access and roof maintenance.

Electrical Safety: Arc-Fault Detection and Rapid Shutdown

Modern commercial solar engineering incorporates advanced active safety mechanisms to satisfy institutional insurers. String inverters must feature integrated DC Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) that detect micro-arcing within milliseconds and shut down inverter operation. Inverter systems with module-level power electronics (MLPE, such as SolarEdge) provide rapid shutdown, automatically reducing string DC voltage to touch-safe levels (<1V per panel) during emergencies.

Best Practices for Engaging Your Property Insurer

1. **Notify in Advance**: Inform your building property insurer during the preliminary feasibility stage before signing EPC delivery contracts. 2. **Provide the Specification Pack**: Submit the single-line diagram, mounting specifications, module fire certificates (BROOF(t4)), and DC safety topology. 3. **Insist on Accredited EPC Contractors**: Require installers holding NICEIC Commercial Approved status, CHAS Elite, and ISO 9001/14001 certification. 4. **Schedule Periodic Thermography**: Establish a contract for annual thermographic drone inspections to detect module hot-spots before electrical degradation occurs.

Technical Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Facilities managers and engineering team queries

Will installing commercial solar increase our building insurance premiums?

When designed and installed by accredited commercial contractors in compliance with RISCAuthority RC62, solar installations typically result in minimal or zero insurance premium increases, though sum-insured values must reflect the added capital asset value.

Can solar panels be installed on roofs with composite foam insulation?

Yes, but insurers will require verification of the core material (e.g. PIR vs EPS). For higher-risk cores, installers specify non-combustible separation barriers and module-level rapid shutdown technology to achieve underwriter sign-off.

What testing documentation must be provided to the building insurer upon completion?

You should supply the BS 7671 Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), DNO G99 commissioning confirmation, MCS/accreditation certificates, module BROOF(t4) fire test data, and an as-built operations and maintenance manual.

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