When we think about fire risks in schools, we often picture overloaded plug sockets, kitchen appliances, or storage areas cluttered with combustible materials. However, a recent incident in Northumberland has brought attention to an increasingly relevant and often overlooked threat: fires originating from solar panels.
On Saturday 5th July 2025, Shanklea Primary School in Cramlington suffered a fire that began in solar panels on the roof. Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service responded quickly to the incident, deploying five fire crews to tackle the blaze that broke out just before 2pm on the west side of the building. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the incident was serious enough to close the school for several days while remedial works and additional health and safety checks were carried out.
While Northumberland County Council has since confirmed that the damage was not as significant as first feared, the event highlights an important and growing concern: solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in schools are not always being suitably maintained or incorporated into fire risk assessments.
The Rise of Solar Infrastructure in Education
Across the UK, more schools are adopting solar technology to reduce carbon footprints and energy bills. Solar panels are increasingly installed on school roofs as part of broader sustainability goals. However, these systems are often positioned out of sight and, unfortunately, out of mind when it comes to routine inspections and fire safety planning. Often, we are finding that schools are not aware of their duties to inspect their solar PV installations, despite the considerable risk it can pose. As great as solar power can be, it is not without risks.
Solar panel systems typically include inverters, electrical wiring, isolators, and control equipment – all of which must be properly maintained to prevent risks such as:
- Electrical faults and arcing
- Overheating of system components
- Faulty isolators or inverters
- Poor installation practices
- Damage from birds, debris, or weather
When such systems are not routinely checked or tested, the likelihood of a fault increases – and as seen in Cramlington – that fault can lead to a fire capable of closing a school, disrupting education, and placing children and staff at risk.
How JCH Safety Supports Schools
At JCH Safety, we work closely with schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts across the Midlands to carry out thorough fire risk assessments (FRAs) that are aligned with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and relevant British Standards, such as:
- BS 7671 (Wiring Regulations)
- BS 5839-1 (Fire detection and alarm systems)
- BS 9999 (Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings)
Our assessments don’t stop at the classroom door. We review roof-level installations and ensure that solar systems are considered in the fire risk profile. Where schools have existing solar infrastructure, we highlight the need for:
- Periodic electrical testing by competent persons
- Thermal imaging surveys where appropriate
- Clear isolation procedures in case of fire
- Suitable signage for emergency responders
- Inclusion of solar systems in fire evacuation plans
- Maintenance contracts for all electrical components, including DC isolators and inverters
Lessons from the Shanklea Fire
The fire at Shanklea Primary School is a wake-up call. While the damage was less than feared, the incident serves as a reminder that fire risks evolve. Technologies designed to improve sustainability must be integrated into a school’s broader fire safety management plan and overall compliance planning.
Schools are dynamic environments with multiple layers of risk. At JCH Safety, we take pride in helping educational settings identify and reduce those risks through detailed, independent fire risk assessments and practical safety advice.
Let’s Talk
If your school has solar panels or is planning to install them, it’s time to review your fire risk assessment. Don’t wait until an incident occurs to identify that something has been missed.
JCH Safety Ltd – Chartered Health and Safety Consultants and Tier 2 Accredited Fire Risk Assessors. Serving schools across Coventry, Birmingham, Leicester, Derby, and the wider Midlands.
Stay safe. Stay compliant. Let’s get it right, from the roof down.
