Car Park Spaces Should Be Wider to Mitigate Electric Car Fire Risks
New guidelines propose widening car park spaces to prevent the spread of electric vehicle (EV) fires to nearby cars and buildings, according to experts. A report by consultancy firm Arup suggests increasing the gap between parked cars in indoor and multi-story car parks to 90cm-1.2m. This move would enable firefighters to access burning vehicles quickly and reduce the risk of fire spreading. England’s car parks currently lack safety measures that consider the risks associated with modern cars, including EVs.
The report, submitted to the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, recommends several safety enhancements for car parks, such as larger distances between parking bays, water-based fire suppression systems, fire-resistant structures between spaces, and thermal monitoring cameras. These cameras can detect early temperature increases in EV engines and identify instances of thermal runaway in the battery.
The study also highlights that while EVs are less prone to catching fire than petrol or diesel cars, extinguishing EV fires takes longer and requires higher quantities of water. Firefighters need up to 10,000 litres of water to put out an EV fire, compared to 6,000 litres for a conventional fuel engine. Additionally, EV fires present the risk of reigniting hours or even days after the initial incident, posing further challenges for fire crews. Experts attribute this to factors such as overcharging and collisions that lead to thermal runaway and prolonged fire duration.
Another concern highlighted in the report is the risk associated with toxic water run-off from extinguishing EV fires. Firefighting efforts often result in water contaminated with hazardous chemicals from lithium-ion batteries. The report suggests containing this water before it enters the sewerage system in areas where it could cause significant ecological damage.
Moreover, the report draws attention to flammable vapor clouds, which pose a danger to first responders. These clouds, released during thermal runaway, contain highly flammable and toxic components that can cause flash fires, explosions, and flaming jets. To address these challenges, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) provides dedicated guidelines for fire service crews to handle EV fires. The guidelines emphasize the identification and isolation of the high-voltage systems in such vehicles.
While the proposed changes aim to enhance safety for EVs in car parks, it is important to note that EV fires are relatively rare compared to traditional fuel vehicle fires. Nevertheless, taking proactive measures to mitigate risks and develop appropriate safety protocols is essential as EV adoption continues to grow.
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