20 April 2023

Yesterday, the Modern Building Alliance presented during the Fire Information Exchange Platform meeting the findings of the tests conducted by PU Europe on fire performance of PV on roofs highlighting the need for comprehensive assessments.

Photovoltaic (PV) panels on roofs are gaining traction as Europe moves very fast towards sustainable energy sources. However, ensuring fire safety in these installations remains a crucial concern. The needed integration of PV modules on roofs must consider fire safety through comprehensive risk assessments and appropriate rules.

Supporting the Transition to Clean Energy While Addressing Fire Safety Concerns

Large flat roofs offer an efficient space for PV arrays in developed areas. With the EU's RePowerEU initiative and directives like EPBD and EED promoting energy savings, the adoption of solar panels on roofs is on the rise. The lack of harmonised assessment methods for the fire performance of PV panels on roofs in Europe has raised concerns from some regulators and insurers about the fire safety performance of certain roof systems. The MBA would like to recall that a holistic approach is required, considering factors such as fire spread prevention, insulation system performance, and the prevention of PV panels becoming an ignition source.

Mitigate Fire Risks With An Integrated Approach

Enforcing existing technical provisions and rules is crucial to mitigate fire risks. Developing a fire performance assessment of PV panels, and developing a classification and method of assessment of fire safety based on the interaction between PV panels and the roof, allow for informed decisions regarding PV panel types suitable for different roof constructions and insulation systems. In many cases the existing roof systems can accommodate PV panels installations. In addition, ensuring firefighter safety and minimising risks during firefighting operations is paramount with an integrated approach considering installation design, such as mounting systems, separation distances, and proximity to fire safety facilities.

To know more:

PU Europe factsheet:

Fire performance of thermal insulation products in end-use conditions

About the FIEP.

23 March 2023

The Modern Building Alliance, under the umbrella of EuroFSA and eleven other organisations, signed a joint statement urging the European institutions to integrate fire safety into the final text of the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

The EPBD revision aims to increase the energy performance of buildings in order to reach the EU climate objectives. It will also support the increase of the use of renewable energy, new sustainable solutions and technologies. Such evolutions should not impede fire safety. It is key to include fire safety considerations for new and renovated buildings. It is also key when installing and maintaining renewable and recharging infrastructures. Furthermore, the text could also include fire safety awareness campaigns for EU citizens, as fire safety education programmes are successful tools for fire prevention.

How do skills secure fire safety in buildings?  https://modernbuildingalliance.julien-gustin.be/fire-safety-skills-competency

The EU Fire Safety Guide https://modernbuildingalliance.julien-gustin.be/EU-fire-safety-guide

27 October 2022

The Modern Building Alliance members deeply regret the rejection of the TRAN Committee's opinion on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) revision. The Committee's adopted amendment calling for the European Commission to publish fire safety guidelines for car parks by 2025 was crucial for safely deploying electric vehicle charging points. Although the overall opinion was rejected, the specific amendment received strong support in TRAN.

Fire safety guidelines are key to safely roll out e-mobility

Installing charging infrastructure in buildings is vital for the widespread adoption of e-mobility, as most charging takes place at home or in the office. The Modern Building Alliance believes that ensuring fire safety measures accompany the deployment of in-building charging solutions is essential. Harmonised guidelines are needed at the EU level to address elements such as electrical safety, fire detection and suppression, ventilation, compartmentation, structural protection, and fire service intervention. These guidelines should be technology-neutral and based on performance standards and fire safety engineering.

European Parliament should reintroduce the amendment on fire safety guidelines for car parks

We urge the European Parliament to reintroduce the TRAN amendment, which proposes publishing fire safety guidelines for underground and surface car parks, facilitating the safe and coordinated deployment of electric vehicle charging points and ensuring the safety of European citizens. The EU Fire Information Exchange Platform (FIEP), coordinated by DG GROW, can be suitable for exchanging valuable information and developing these guidelines.

15 December 2021

The revision process of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) started yesterday with the publication of a proposed text by the European Commission.

The new EPBD must fit with the European Green Deal Strategy and the Fit for 55 package aiming to decarbonise the buildings sector by 2050.

As mentioned by Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, ‘Buildings are the single largest energy consumer in Europe, using 40% of our energy, and creating 36% of our greenhouse gas emissions. That is because most buildings in the EU are not energy efficient and are still mostly powered by fossil fuels. We need to do something about this urgently, as over 85% of today's buildings will still be standing in 2050, when Europe must be climate neutral. Improving our homes is also an effective response to high energy prices – the worst-performing buildings in the EU consume many times more energy as new or properly renovated ones. And it's often the most vulnerable who live in the least efficient houses and therefore struggle to pay the bills. Renovation reduces both the energy footprint of buildings and the energy costs for households, while also boosting economic activity and job creation.’

The Commission’s proposal sets buildings on a path towards decarbonisation. This should be done via highly energy-efficient building envelopes and decentralised renewable energy production alongside making them fit the energy transition, which means supporting much greater electrification of the mobility services (charging points for cars, bikes, etc.). Such evolutions can entail fire risks – and consequently, require expertise and know-how to manage them.

The Modern Building Alliance welcomes the wording in the proposal that considers that fire safety should be looked at holistically, together with other elements, when improving buildings.  We believe such considerations should focus on:

• Fire safety as a prerequisite to any sustainability considerations because involving skilled and competent professionals will ensure the quality and compliance of building design, construction and renovation;
• Making regular inspections of electrical systems a much more common practice because electrical inspection regimes will ensure the evolution of the energy system to be fully ready to transit.

The Own Initiative on the Implementation of the EPBD supports our call for regular inspections of electrical systems and goes a step further to ensure smoke management in case of fire (full details in this article).

On top of this, the European Commission put the topic of batteries on the agenda of the Fire Information Exchange Platform meeting in April 2021. The aim was to exchange with member states representatives and stakeholders how to deal with fire safety with new electrical cars.

The topic of fire safety in the context of the renovation wave was also on the agenda of the European Fire Safety Week. Access line up, recording and presentations

Additional information:

European Commission’s website

10 November 2021

Yesterday, the European Parliament’ Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted the Implementation Report of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) by 49 votes in favour, 11 against and two abstentions. The report looks at how the current EPBD has been implemented in EU Member States and what could be improved. It repeats the central role buildings will play to reduce CO² emissions, tackle energy poverty and support the recovery of local economies. The report still has to be voted in Strasbourg during the Plenary of December or January.

The text covers a large range of considerations and includes some topics of particular interest for fire safety:

 Amendment 8d on page 7:  […]‘calls on Member States to develop an electrical inspection regime, since 30% of domestic and 75% of domestic accidental fires have an electrical source¹⁵;  (EPP 178)’…

Electrical safety as effective preventative measure

This recommendation refers to the White paper published by the Forum for European Electrical Domestic Safety (FEEDS, 2021) which states that in Japan, the number of fires has been reduced by close to 90% since inspections became mandatory in 1960’s.

The Modern Building Alliance welcomes this recommendation and fully supports the development of electrical inspection regimes. It proves that preventative measures effectively impact the number of fire casualties. Prevention is the very first layer of the 7 layers for fire in buildings which highlights the importance to address fire safety in a holistic manner starting with prevention, detection, early suppression, evacuation, compartmentation, structural safety and firefighting.

Smoke management is a key element of an efficient fire safety strategy

The report also addresses the question of smoke management in case of a fire.

Amendment 8d on page 7:  ‘[…] believes that the European building stock renovation should integrate electrical safety checks and upgrades and ensure sufficient ventilation for smoke in case of fire (EPP 178)’

All smoke is toxic and preventing occupants from being in contact with smoke will ensure an effective, safe and quick evacuation. Fire and HVAC engineers are highly qualified to secure buildings to be properly designed and equipped to be safe in case of a fire. The Modern Building Alliance advocates for the involvement of skilled and competent professionals to be involved in building design, renovation and also maintenance of buildings. It is the best way to ensure the building to be compliant, while meeting thermal performance, comfort and safety requirements.

Smoke management is another topic covered in the EU Fire Safety Guide in the layer related to compartmentation. In addition,  a full factsheet on Smoke management is accessible here.

The Modern Building Alliance has been calling since its founding for a holistic approach to fire safety of building and we are delighted to see some of our key recommendations being taken over by the ITRE Committee.

Access the voted text

1 September 2021

Following the fire of the high-rise building located in via Antonini in Milan that occurred on the 29^th August 2021, the Modern Building Alliance wishes to express its sympathies to everyone affected by this unfortunate incident.

We would also like to give credit to the Milanese fire services for their rapid, professional, and effective intervention that ensured a safe evacuation of all occupants.

The ongoing investigation on the incident will clarify the circumstances and elements which contributed to the fire. Nevertheless, we noticed on social media and in some press, mentions related to the alleged involvement of polystyrene insulation.

We understand that the façade was clad predominantly in a mineral fibre (Euroclass A2) insulated ETICS system, with two large uninsulated Aluminium Composite Material decorative “sails”, offset from the ETICS system.

The Modern Building Alliance awaits the outcome of the investigation that will clarify the circumstances of this incident and will closely follow and support the conclusions and learnings helping to improve fire safety of façades of high-rise buildings.

14 July 2021

Today the European Commission has released part one of the ‘Fit for 55’ package.

This package contains a set of interconnected proposals to align EU policies on climate, energy, land use, transport, buildings and taxation to achieve the EU objective of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by, at least, 55% of the 1990 levels by 2030.

The European Commission also published its Communication 'Fit for 55' that provides further details on its objectives, implementation and supporting measures. It states that, where possible, existing legislation will become more ambitious and new proposals will be developed where needed.

The building and construction sector is concerned by the update of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Directives. The update will be complemented by policy measures that will specifically support the building sector to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce the overall energy needs of energy appliances/systems.

To tackle energy poverty, the New Social Climate Fund (€72.2 billion for 2025-2032) will support investments to increase the energy efficiency and renovations of buildings, clean heating and cooling, and integrate renewable energy in a manner that can sustainably reduce both CO² emissions and energy bills for vulnerable households.

The Communication also refers to the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) to take place later this year. The text states: ‘The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive . . . will identify specific measures to accelerate the rate of buildings renovations, contributing to energy efficiency and renewable goals and greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the buildings sector.’

Additional information from the European Commission website:

Communication 'Fit for 55'

Factsheets on delivering the European Green Deal

Source: Screenshot https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/delivering-european-green-deal_en

11 May 2021

Today, the Modern Building Alliance was on the agenda of the Australian Fire Conference 2021 and tradeshow in Sydney.

Speaking via video from Brussels, as a guest of the sister organisation Australian Modern Building Alliance (AMBA), Quentin de Hults highlighted fire safety data from Europe, the 7 layers of fire safety in buildings and a proposed European regulatory framework – covering building, installation and organisational (B.I.O. framework) requirements for fire safety in taller (high-rise) buildings.

‘The information presented by the MBA highlights that a holistic approach is needed for fire safety in buildings and that prevention is multifaceted and goes beyond individual materials to include a more integrated system’, said the AMBA Chair, Dr Craig Lovel.

AMBA media release available here

About AMBA

The Australian Modern Building Alliance (AMBA) is an interest group of companies that was established in 2019 to represent the use of polymers in the Australian construction industry. AMBA’s goal is to ensure the benefits of polymer-based construction products are harnessed to create enduring modern buildings that are safe, sustainable and energy efficient.