IEC TR 63226-2021 PDF

Full title and description

IEC TR 63226:2021 — Managing fire risk related to photovoltaic (PV) systems on buildings. This Technical Report provides non‑prescriptive, site‑specific guidance to help reduce building fire risks associated with rooftop and building‑integrated PV systems by describing risk‑informed technical, installation and maintenance measures and considerations for designers, building owners, installers, insurers and emergency services.

Abstract

IEC TR 63226:2021 explains building‑related fire risks introduced or affected by PV installations and sets out a framework of measures (design, installation, documentation, maintenance and firefighter support) that can be selected following a site risk assessment. The report clarifies options such as cable routing and marking, component/system shutdown strategies, access and egress provisions, inspection/commissioning practices and corrective actions after incidents — presented as guidance rather than mandatory requirements.

General information

• Status: Current (Technical Report published and active; stability indicated through 2027).
• Publication date: 18 February 2021 (publication/registration in February 2021).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Technical Committee TC 82 — Solar photovoltaic energy systems.
• ICS / categories: 27.160 (Solar energy engineering / Photovoltaics).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (Ed. 1.0, 2021).
• Number of pages: 27 pages.

Scope

IEC TR 63226:2021 is intended to be used as guidance for reducing fire risk in general and for addressing site‑specific needs of buildings with PV systems. It covers identification of building and PV system factors that affect fire risk, approaches to evaluate those risks, and a menu of technical and organisational measures (design, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance and emergency response support) that can be selected according to the outcome of a risk assessment. The document is advisory and does not impose mandatory technical requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Risk evaluation: assessment of building construction, roof coverings, contents, occupancy and criticality to determine PV‑related fire risk and required mitigation level.
• Technical design measures: layout and ventilation considerations, selection and placement of non‑combustible materials where appropriate, and design choices to limit fire propagation.
• Electrical safety measures: recommended practices for DC cable routing, marking, separation from fire routes, arc‑fault/earth‑fault detection options and shutdown strategies (string/module level or system level) as part of a risk‑informed design.
• Firefighter and rescue support: provisions for access pathways, roof and walkway layout, identification/signage for PV arrays, and guidance for on‑site information to emergency services.
• Installation, commissioning and documentation: commissioning checks, record keeping for owners and emergency responders, and handover information to support safe operation and incident response.
• Operation, inspection and maintenance: periodic inspections (including thermography), cleaning and routine maintenance measures to reduce fault and fire likelihood, and actions for unattended or remote systems.
• Corrective measures and lessons learned: guidance on post‑incident assessment, safe‑state procedures and updating of site measures based on incident analysis.

Typical use and users

Primary users are PV system designers, installers and commissioning teams; building owners, facility managers and asset operators; insurers and risk assessors; fire and emergency services; building code and safety authorities; and researchers/consultants working on building fire safety and PV integration. The Technical Report is used to inform risk assessments, specifications, maintenance regimes and emergency response planning rather than as a prescriptive installation standard.

Related standards

IEC TR 63226 complements other IEC and regional standards for PV safety and building electrical installations. Standards commonly referenced alongside it include product and system safety standards (for example IEC 61730 series and IEC 62446 series for documentation and testing), and installation/installation practice documents addressing PV connections and building wiring (e.g., requirements aligned with national wiring rules and HD/EN adaptations such as HD 60364‑7‑712). Users should consult applicable national regulations and relevant TC 82 publications for mandatory requirements.

Keywords

Photovoltaic (PV) systems; fire risk; building fire safety; risk assessment; PV installation; DC cabling; arc‑fault detection; firefighter access; commissioning; maintenance; emergency response.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TR 63226:2021 is a Technical Report published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that provides guidance on managing fire risk associated with PV systems installed on buildings. It is advisory (non‑mandatory) and intended to support risk‑based decision making.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers identification and evaluation of building‑related PV fire risks and offers a range of technical and organisational measures — design and layout, cable routing and marking, shutdown strategies, access for firefighters, commissioning and documentation, inspection and maintenance, and corrective actions after incidents. The measures are described as guidance for selection based on site‑specific risk assessments.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: PV designers, installation and commissioning teams, building owners and facility managers, insurers, fire and emergency services, safety regulators and consultants use the report to inform risk assessments, operational practices and emergency planning.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published on 18 February 2021, IEC TR 63226:2021 is the current edition (Edition 1.0). The IEC webstore indicates a stability horizon through 2027; users should check for any amendments or newer editions issued after 2021.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a Technical Report produced under IEC TC 82 (Solar photovoltaic energy systems) and complements the family of IEC standards and technical documents addressing PV module/inverter safety, testing, documentation and installation practices. It is not a mandatory product standard but forms part of the broader TC 82 output for PV systems.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Photovoltaic systems, fire risk, building fire safety, risk assessment, cable routing, shutdown, firefighter access, commissioning, maintenance.