🔥 Fire prevention in photovoltaic systems: certified thermography (Level II), INAIL benefits and Fire Brigade compliance
Fire prevention in photovoltaic systems is not just good practice: it is now a requirement of technical and management responsibility. The new Italian Fire Brigade Guidelines 2025 (DCPREV No. 14030) restate that installing or modifying a PV system in subject activities constitutes a significant change for fire prevention purposes and requires a systematic approach to design, operation, and maintenance/inspections.
IR thermography performed by certified personnel is one of the most effective and traceable tools for reducing risk, identifying hotspots, faulty connections, and overheating before they become a problem.
IR thermography performed by certified personnel is one of the most effective and traceable tools for reducing risk, identifying hotspots, faulty connections, and overheating before they become a problem.
Fire prevention in photovoltaic systems: what the Fire Brigade and CEI require
New Fire Brigades Guidelines 2025 and maintenance/inspections
The Italian Fire Brigade Guidelines (DCPREV Note 14030 of September 1st 2025) define technical and procedural measures for PV systems up to 1,500 Vdc located in activities subject to or serving them (roofs, facades, canopies/shelters), with guidance on risk assessment, distances, sectioning, fire prevention operations, and, above all, maintenance and inspections.
Furthermore, the subsequent Notice 14668 of 10/09/2025 clarifies the transitional application and reiterates that fire risk assessment remains essential.
Furthermore, the subsequent Notice 14668 of 10/09/2025 clarifies the transitional application and reiterates that fire risk assessment remains essential.
CEI 82-25 Guide: Design, Management and O&M
CEI Guide 82-25 (and its most recent parts/variants) provides the technical criteria for the design, installation, monitoring, management, and maintenance of PV systems. It integrates safety aspects and regulatory references useful for preventing fires in photovoltaic systems, also in relation to in-service inspections.
Why choose certified thermography (Level II UNI EN ISO 9712)
Traceability, quality of diagnosis and technical responsibility
In HSE practice, many organizations (and the practice related to INAIL OT23) require that surveys are carried out by operators certified according to UNI EN ISO 9712, TT method (IR thermography):
- survey carried out by at least Level 1 personnel,
- Reports/assessments prepared and signed by at least Level 2.
This approach provides solid and recognized documentary evidence.
Connection with INAIL (OT23) and improved prevention
Thermographic analysis of electrical systems/panels may be included among the eligible improvement measures for rate reduction (OT23 form), provided they comply with the requirements regarding operator qualifications and reporting content (visible + IR photo, list of points, corrective actions).
From a cultural and methodological perspective, INAIL promotes a performance-based approach to fire prevention in the workplace, consistent with the Fire Prevention Code (Ministerial Decree 03/08/2015): integrating predictive diagnostics such as thermography is fully in line with this approach.
From a cultural and methodological perspective, INAIL promotes a performance-based approach to fire prevention in the workplace, consistent with the Fire Prevention Code (Ministerial Decree 03/08/2015): integrating predictive diagnostics such as thermography is fully in line with this approach.
Fire prevention in photovoltaic systems: what we detect with thermography
- Hotspots on modules (cells, solder joints, laminates): early signs of degradation and potential ignition.
- Connectors/MC4, string boxes, DC/AC panels, disconnectors and fuses with localized overheating.
- Inverters with faults in terminals and power components.
These families of defects are recognized in O&M practice as typical causes of thermal events; thermography allows for prioritization of interventions and enhances fire prevention in photovoltaic systems.
Inspection program: when to carry out inspections
- Hot commissioning / commissioning.
- Periodic checks (annual or seasonal, based on the risk profile and historical criticalities).
- Post-event (hail, surges, emergency interventions, revamping).
This planning is consistent with the Italian Fire Brigade 2025 system (in-service maintenance/inspections) and with the CEI 82-25 O&M practices for continuous and documented fire prevention of photovoltaic systems.
Why choose MRP: skills, tools, independence
- UNI EN ISO 9712 certified thermographic operators – TT method, Level II for drafting and signing reports.
- Complete inspections of the entire system: modules, strings, DC/AC panels, inverters, wiring and connections.
- 14+ years of experience in photovoltaic systems chec-up: hundreds of systems successfully inspected from 2011 to today.
- Integration with electrical tests (IV, insulation, EL, PR) and mobileLAB for on-site checks—useful when the diagnosis requires instrumental confirmations.
- Report oriented to compliance (Fire Brigades/CEI) and document admissibility for INAIL/OT23 prevention paths.
Contact MRP
Do you want to establish a photovoltaic system fire prevention plan with Level II thermographic reports and documentation also relevant for INAIL/OT23 purposes?
👉 Contact us and request an MRP thermographic check-up.
👉 Contact us and request an MRP thermographic check-up.
Article by Giovanni Guiotto and Mark Rossetto – MRP Srl
January 2026
