The rapid rollout of EV charging infrastructure is outpacing fire safety guidance. Building owners face new risks that current regulations don't fully address.. The EV Charging Fire Safety Gap The UK aims for 300,000 public charge points by 2030. Yet fire safety guidance for EV charging infrastructure remains fragmented, leaving building owners exposed to risks that didn't exist a decade ago. The Fire Science Lithium ion battery fire characteristics: Thermal runaway can occur at temperatures as low as 130°C Self heating, self sustaining reaction once initiated Burns at up to 2,760°C — far hotter than conventional vehicle fires Produces toxic gases: hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), carbon monoxide (CO) Can re ignite spontaneously hours or days after apparent extinguishment Requires 10,000 40,000 litres of water to cool (vs 2,000 litres for ICE vehicle fire) Risk by Location Underground car parks (highest risk): Confined space concentrates heat and toxic gases Smoke ventilation systems may be inadequate for EV fire intensity Structural fire damage potential — EV fires burn longer than design fire assumptions Fire service access and ventilation challenges Multi storey car parks (high risk): Similar confinement issues Structural steel may be unprotected — vulnerable to prolonged EV fire Recent collapses of multi storey car parks linked to fire Surface car parks (moderate risk): Better natural ventilation Easier fire service access Reduced structural fire risk But vehicle to vehicle fire spread still a concern Recommended Measures 1. Separation — locate EV charging bays away from building entrances and escape routes 2. Detection — thermal imaging cameras or linear heat detection at charging bays 3. Suppression — drencher/deluge systems covering EV charging zones 4. Ventilation — enhanced smoke extract capacity (25 50% above standard car park design) 5. Structural protection — consider additional structural fire resistance in EV zones 6. Fire service information — clear identification of EV charging locations for attending crews 7. Emergency isolation — remote shutdown of charging units Future Guidance BS 9999 and ADB are expected to be updated to address EV charging risks. In the meantime, fire engineering analysis on a case by case basis is recommended. For EV charging fire safety guidance, contact us. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby — CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina — Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. © 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.