27/5/2025
Efectis remains committed to staying at the forefront of regulatory developments in fire safety, particularly in the rapidly expanding solar photovoltaic (PV) sector. In line with this commitment, we are updating our internal protocols to reflect evolving standards and enhance overall safety outcomes.
A major regulatory shift is the removal of BS 476-3 from UK’s Approved Document B, marking a move towards harmonised European fire testing standards. While BS 476-3 is still accepted in some regions, Efectis is transitioning to TS 1187 to ensure our practices are aligned with both current and anticipated requirements.
We are developing PV-specific guidance based on TS 1187:2012, carefully addressing the unique fire safety challenges posed by PV systems, including variations in materials, installation methods, and system integration with roofing. As TS 1187 remains under review, we continue to monitor its development to stay ahead of any future updates.
Key challenges being addressed include sample size, installation variations, and whether PV modules are considered part of the roofing system or separate construction products. We are also evaluating how testing methods can effectively cover these diverse scenarios. The wide range of PV modules and accessories introduces additional complexity regarding testing and the extension of application results.
Our UK expert team with support of the others Efectis experts, is working diligently to produce high-quality, practical guidance that meets the expectations of key stakeholders, including government authorities, manufacturers and, most importantly, homeowners, whose safety remains our top priority.
If you would like to learn more about our ongoing research projects, please feel free to contact us.
For more information, please contact Soukayna Azdad