When it comes to photovoltaic facades integrated into buildings (BIPV), we immediately think about innovation, aesthetics and sustainability. However, what often takes second place is a crucial aspect: fire safety. An international research team has analyzed the risks associated with these systems, highlighting how the distance between the solar panels and the building wall, as well as the combustible materials present in the wall cavity, are key factors in the spread of fires.
It’s not just a question of clean energy or cutting-edge design: photovoltaic facades, however innovative, can hide dangers if not designed carefully.
The distance between the panels and the wall: the critical role of a few centimeters
According to Norwegian and Danish researchers from RISE Fire Research ASdel Fire Research and Innovation Center (FRIC) and of Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology (DBI), a cavity that is too narrow between the panel and the building wall can become an accelerator for flames.
Reidar Stølen, one of the researchers, explained that photovoltaic modules contain polymers that can ignite, and the speed at which this happens depends on factors such as:
Experiments conducted by the team demonstrated that reducing the distance between the panels and the wall to just 6 cm leads to much more intense fireswhile increasing it by just 4-5 cm significantly improves safety. That’s not all: the researchers also observed that the use of double-sided panels, with glass on both sides, reduces the risk of flame spread compared to single-sided models.
Combustible materials: the invisible danger in wall cavities
Another critical element is the materials used in the wall cavity. Combustible materials, if not properly controlled, can become a dangerous catalyst for fireamplifying the risk of propagation.
According to Janne Siren Fjærestad, co-author of the study, green and photovoltaic facades represent an aesthetically and environmentally advantageous solution, but the importance of responsible designs cannot be underestimated. “It is possible to build sustainable and safe facades,” he stressed, “but it is essential to avoid compromises on safety.”
However, there is an important obstacle: current safety regulations, such as the European standard EN 13501-1they are not designed for innovative systems such as photovoltaic modules. Scholars have highlighted that current testing methods are unable to adequately evaluate the specificities of these systems:
It is difficult to provide a relevant classification, as the test methods are not adapted to the unique properties of PV modules.
This limit makes a review of the regulations and the development of new protocols that consider the specific risks of BIPV facades even more urgent, thus ensuring greater safety without slowing down the adoption of sustainable technologies.
