Electric-vehicle adoption is booming, but poorly installed or maintained chargepoints can create new ignition risks. The latest government guidance for covered car parks warns that cabling faults, damaged connectors and thermal runaway in batteries need special controls . Below we outline seven must-do checks and which extinguishers to keep on hand, so your EV charging bays stay safe and compliant.
7 Essential Fire-Safety Checks for EV Chargepoints
- Location & Clearances
Place chargers at least 7.5 m from unprotected glazing or combustible walls, as recommended in the IET Code of Practice (5th Ed.) . - Dedicated Isolator Switch
Fit a clearly labelled, lockable switch within 5 m of the charger so fire crews can de-energise quickly . - Load-Balancing & RCD Protection
Every circuit must include a 30 mA Type B RCD and dynamic load balancing to prevent over-current heating. - Routine Thermal Imaging
Quarterly thermographic scans spot hot joints before they arc; see our guide to inspection best practice. - Housekeeping & Signage
Keep bays free of storage, mark 1.5 m exclusion zones, and add “In the event of fire, isolate at switch” signs. - Automatic Detection
Install point heat detectors above wall-mount units and a flame detector in enclosed car parks, then link to your main fire alarm. - Documented Fire-Risk Assessment
Update yours annually (see our explainer) and log every inspection in the site’s fire-safety logbook.
Which Extinguishers Work on EV Charging Fires?
- Water-Mist (Dielectric) 6 L — cools battery casings, safe on energized equipment up to 35 kV.
- AVD “Lith-Ex” 9 L — vermiculite mist coats and insulates cells; approved for lithium-ion up to 1 kWh modules.
- Foam or ABC Powder — not recommended: ineffective on thermal-runaway batteries and risk contaminating electronics.
Need help choosing? Our extinguisher maintenance team can advise and service to BS 5306.
EV Fire vs. Petrol Fire — The Data
According to the Greater London Authority, 2023 saw 493 petrol car fires but only 7 battery-electric incidents . While EVs ignite less often, the energy stored in lithium-ion packs means fires burn longer and may reignite, so having the right controls in place is critical.
30-Second Emergency Plan for a Charging-Bay Fire
- Hit the local isolator switch.
- Evacuate occupants and close bay shutters if fitted.
- Dial 999 and state “Electric-vehicle chargepoint fire” so crews bring water-mist lances and blankets.
Next Steps
Book a Charging-Bay Safety Audit with Total Safe UK to review isolators, detection, signage and extinguishers. Our engineers align your site with NFCC Charge Safe guidance and the new IET Code of Practice .
Contact us: 01375 265 950 or [email protected]