Electric Vehicles and Building Fire Safety: A Guide for Property Managers

Adding electric vehicle charging to a parking garage is a building project as well as an electrical installation. Property managers need a coordinated plan for the charging equipment, the existing fire protection systems and the people who use the garage.

Lithium-ion battery failures can involve thermal runaway, flammable gases and the possibility of reignition. These hazards require informed emergency response. They do not justify a blanket claim that sprinklers are ineffective or that every garage needs a new chemical suppression system.

Understand what sprinklers can and cannot do

Building sprinklers and firefighters have different roles. A sprinkler system may help control fire spread and protect the surrounding area without directly reaching every part of a vehicle’s enclosed battery pack. The design and performance of a specific system must be assessed in the context of the building.

NFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation published a project summary for full-scale parking-structure testing. It describes a research project, not a requirement to retrofit an individual property. Do not infer a universal retrofit requirement from emerging research or a dramatic fire video. Have a qualified designer review any proposed system change and the requirements applicable to the building.

Plan the charging installation

Begin with an assessment of the available electrical supply, expected demand, equipment locations and future expansion. The Electrical Safety Authority’s EV charging guidance highlights approved equipment, a licensed electrical contractor, the required notification of work and the Certificate of Acceptance. Confirm the process for your installation with the contractor and ESA.

Choose locations that allow users to park and connect safely without blocking exits, equipment access or pedestrian routes. Include protection from vehicle impact and practical cable management in the design discussion. Record who owns the equipment and who is responsible for maintenance and fault reporting.

Maintain the garage as a complete system

• Keep existing fire alarm and sprinkler inspection, testing and maintenance up to date.
• Provide access to relevant electrical and fire protection equipment.
• Address damaged chargers, connectors or cables through the responsible qualified contractor.
• Review storage and housekeeping around charging spaces.
• Keep accurate equipment locations and contractor contacts available to building staff.

Do not disable or alter existing fire protection because EV charging has been introduced. If the proposed work affects that protection, obtain the necessary design review and coordinate safe installation, testing and restoration.

Make emergency instructions clear

Review the building’s fire safety plan with the responsible professionals and local fire service as appropriate. Staff need to know how to report a fire, direct occupants away from danger and identify charging locations to responders. They should not improvise high-voltage battery firefighting or handle a damaged vehicle battery.

If there is smoke, fire or an immediate threat, follow the building’s emergency procedures and call 9-1-1 from a safe location. A service request or app notification is not a substitute for emergency reporting.

FC Fire Prevention can discuss the condition and maintenance of your building’s fire protection systems while your electrical contractor plans the charging installation.