Work

Critical Review on Photovoltaic Fire Safety in Buildings from Ignition to Smoke Control and Intervention

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) systems are important for sustainable energy infrastructure, but their rapid deployment introduces complex fire dynamics that current regulations fail to address adequately. While existing standards focus on the electrical safety of individual components, they often neglect the risks arising from the interaction between the PV array and the building envelope. This review synthesizes current research on ignition mechanisms, thermal behavior, and the aerodynamic propagation of smoke to evaluate these overlooked hazards. A primary finding is that the interstitial space between the panel and the roof functions as a “heat trap,” significantly altering airflow patterns and accelerating flame spread even across fire-rated materials. The analysis further highlights that standard testing protocols do not sufficiently account for the urban dispersion of toxic combustion byproducts, such as hydrogen fluoride and volatile organic compounds. By evaluating recent advancements in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and helium-based surrogate testing, this paper demonstrates that accurate prediction of pollutant transport requires coupled modeling of wind effects and thermal buoyancy. The study concludes that ensuring urban fire resilience demands an evolution from component certification to integrated system assessments that include installation geometry, ventilation strategies, and environmental impact.

Source: Fire

DOI: 10.3390/fire9040163

Authors: Fouad Fatoom, Răzvan Calotă, Ilinca Năstase, Florin Bode

Institutions: Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca

Language: English

Topic: Fire dynamics and safety research

Subfield: Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896