The Hidden Risk in Roofing Projects: Fire
When schools carry out planned roofing maintenance or emergency repairs, the most significant and often overlooked risk isn’t cost, disruption, or delay - it’s fire.
Over the past four years, soft research by RAM Building Consultancy has found over 50 serious school fires, linked directly to roofing works. That’s more than one school fire per month, often leading to school closures and costly damage. Thankfully, serious injuries have been avoided but relying on luck isn’t a safety strategy.
Where Does the Fire Risk Come From?
Most school roofing fires start with one factor: the use of naked flame during installation. Traditional specifications often require systems that involve propane gas torches, especially for torch-on felt roofing systems.
Even when schools believe they are using “flame-free” systems, the reality is often more complicated. Cold-applied liquid roofs, plastic membranes, and hot-air welded systems may still involve flame at other stages; drying out wet roofs, installing vapour control layers, or applying carrier membranes. What looks flame-free on the surface may still carry significant fire risk.
Why Current Safety Measures Aren’t Enough
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) introduced a Safe Roofing Specification Checklist in response to these fire risks. While it's a positive step, it doesn’t go far enough on its own.
Some manufacturers now offer "safe specifications" as part of their sales process. But these are often marketing tools—written with a bias toward the products they sell. They might reduce risk in theory, but without an independent fire risk assessment, these specifications still leave schools vulnerable.
The Role of Roofing Consultants vs. Suppliers
Contractors often carry more practical experience than system suppliers, but not all take fire risk seriously. Some rely on outdated practices with the mindset of: “We've always done it this way.”
Meanwhile, general surveyors or building consultants often outsource specifications to suppliers or contractors. This introduces bias and weakens accountability.
An independent specialist consultant, like RAM Building Consultancy, brings a crucial third-party perspective; unbiased by sales, focused purely on safety, performance, and compliance.
Insurance Pitfalls Schools Must Watch For
Many academy trusts rely on Risk Protection Arrangements (RPA) for insurance. While helpful, RPA cover must be carefully integrated with standard JCT contracts and building works. Without clear legal alignment, fire-related claims can be delayed or denied, leaving schools exposed.
Contractors, too, often operate under the false impression they are insured against fire. In reality, many policies include exclusion clauses e.g., no use of naked flames in combustible areas. If a fire breaks out, these clauses can invalidate the claim entirely.
And what about system suppliers? Most offer free specifications, but that free advice comes with no liability. If their system contributes to a fire, it’s not their problem, they’re not contractually tied to the end user.
Considering Fire Risk When Installing Solar Panels
The rise in solar panel installations on school roofs introduces another layer of fire risk, one that’s frequently overlooked. While solar panels themselves are not inherently dangerous, their integration with roofing systems requires careful planning.
Key Considerations:
- Panel Mounting Systems: If panels are being fixed directly to the waterproofing layer, this can breach membranes or compress insulation, creating weak points where moisture and heat can build up.
- Cabling and Inverters: Electrical connections, particularly DC cabling and inverters, need to be securely mounted and isolated to avoid short circuits or heat generation near flammable materials.
- Access and Firefighting: Roof layouts must allow adequate space for fire services to safely intervene. Too often, solar arrays are installed with no thought to emergency access.
- Fire Spread Pathways: A fire starting beneath or around a panel can spread rapidly if not properly isolated from the roof system beneath.
Solar panels should never be installed without a thorough fire risk review of the existing roof. This includes confirming that installation techniques for both the roof and the panels do not introduce ignition risks, and that all components are compatible.
RAM Building Consultancy ensures that when solar is introduced into a roofing project, it is reviewed as part of the overall fire risk assessment, not bolted on as an afterthought.
Real Flame-Free Roofing: What It Takes
Truly safe roofing starts with planning; before a spec is written, before materials are ordered, before anyone steps on site.
RAM Building Consultancy ensures:
- Expert surveys by professionals with decades of hands-on experience
- Fire risk assessments embedded in every specification
- Recommendations for equipment and materials that don’t require flame
- Oversight that ensures safety, compliance, and value for money
We’ve even developed a Fire Risk in Roofing video to visually explain the gaps in current practice and show how risk can be eliminated, not just managed.
Don’t Leave Fire Safety to Chance
When it comes to fire risk in roofing, especially in schools, the stakes are simply too high. Don’t rely on free specs, generic advice, or assumptions about insurance cover. Engage with professionals who specialise in roofing, fire risk, and construction law.
RAM Building Consultancy offers comprehensive, independent support to help you:
- Specify fire-safe systems
- Meet insurance and legal requirements
- Reduce risk for students, staff, and contractors
- Avoid costly repairs and long-term disruption
Talk to Us
If you're planning roofing works and want to eliminate the fire risk from the outset, we’re here to help. Contact RAM Building Consultancy to make your next project safe, compliant, and professionally guided from start to finish.
