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How can I ensure my business is equipped to handle fire risks from charging electric vehicles?

Introduction

Fire risks from charging electric vehicles are now a routine part of health and safety planning for businesses that provide workplace charging, manage fleets, or operate public car parks. In this guide you will learn how to assess the specific hazards, meet legal and technical obligations, apply practical control measures, and create an operational plan that keeps people and property safe. I also explain which standards and guidance to follow and how Total Safe can help you meet compliance quickly and confidently.

Assessing fire risks from charging electric vehicles

Start by treating the arrival of EV charging as a change to your fire risk profile.

A formal fire risk assessment must consider the vehicles, charging equipment, location, electrical supply and people who use the space. Practical factors include whether charging happens outside, in a surface car park, in a multi-storey car park, or inside a building such as a basement. Each setting brings different hazards and control needs. For additional technical guidance see riskstop.co.uk.

A robust assessment will identify: where a thermal runaway or charger fault could ignite; how a fire might spread to buildings or other vehicles; the exposure of escape routes and firefighting access; whether your existing detection, ventilation and suppression systems are sufficient.

Record findings and assign risk ratings. Then use the assessment to prioritise reasonably practicable improvements.

The UK does not rely on a single rulebook for EV charging fire safety. Instead, you must work within building and fire safety law, electrical regulations and recognised guidance. For covered car parks, the government’s interim guidance is the most relevant source for designers and operators and sets out planning, detection, ventilation and segregation measures you should consider. See gov.uk for details.

Electrical installations must comply with BS 7671 and the IET Code of Practice for EV charging equipment. These documents explain safe design, protective devices such as RCDs, and testing regimes for charging equipment and circuits. If you install or commission chargers, make sure registered electricians follow the latest IET guidance. See electrical.theiet.org for technical advice.

Choose safe locations and layout controls

Location has a major influence on risk. Whenever possible, locate chargers outside and away from combustible building fabric. If you must place chargers in covered or underground car parks, treat that area as higher risk and apply stricter controls. Measures to reduce fire spread include separation by fire-resisting construction, open-plan parking on upper decks, and physical protection for chargepoints such as bollards or raised plinths. Industry guidance recommends thinking about minimum separation from combustible elements and from building openings during siting decisions. See riskstop.co.uk.

Practical layout steps — designate and sign charging bays clearly to prevent unauthorised parking. Provide space for safe cable routing to avoid trip hazards and cable damage. Protect chargepoints from vehicle impact with kerbs or bollards. Avoid siting chargers close to means of escape, plant rooms or waste storage.

Install appropriate detection, ventilation and structural measures

Early detection and safe ventilation can limit harm from a battery fire. In enclosed car parks, consider installing heat detection (rather than conventional smoke detectors where appropriate), and design ventilation that extracts toxic and flammable gases generated during thermal runaway. Where guidance or the fire risk assessment indicates, upgrade fire-resisting elements between charging zones and the rest of the building. These choices should be proportionate and based on the assessment outcomes. For government guidance see gov.uk.

For some high-risk or high-use installations, sprinklers or local water-mist systems may be appropriate. Speak to your insurer and local fire and rescue authority if you are considering active suppression; they can advise on what measures they expect for your type of premises.

Follow electrical installation best practice

Electrical compliance reduces the chance of a charger itself causing a fire. Require installers to follow BS 7671 and the IET Code of Practice for EV charging equipment. Key technical points include dedicated circuits, correct RCD selection and testing, and proper earthing arrangements. Confirm that charging equipment carries UKCA or CE marking and meets relevant product standards. Insist on a handover package from the installer that includes test certificates and operating instructions. See electrical.theiet.org.

Operational actions after installation — log commissioning test results and keep them with your fire safety records. Schedule routine visual inspections and electrical tests as part of planned maintenance. Ensure emergency isolation points for fast power shutdown are accessible and labelled.

Adopt clear operational controls and maintenance regimes

Good management reduces human error. Create written policies for charging, covering authorised users, permitted hours, supervision requirements and rules about storing combustible materials near charging bays. Limit unattended overnight charging in internal locations where practicable. Train staff to recognise charger faults and to report damage immediately. Also ensure a rapid repair or isolation process for faulty units.

Maintenance and inspection are crucial. Put chargers and their supply circuits on a preventative maintenance schedule and inspect cables, sockets and housings regularly. Maintain records and act promptly on defects. Many guidance documents recommend including chargers in the site-wide maintenance plan and in the premises’ fire safety management system. See riskstop.co.uk for maintenance considerations.

Plan for emergencies and firefighter access

Plan how occupants will respond if an EV becomes involved in a fire. Evacuation procedures should prioritise life safety and maintain distances from the vehicle. Do not attempt to fight a battery fire without specialist equipment; trained firefighters will manage such incidents. Provide clear information for the fire and rescue service on charger locations, isolation points and any particular hazards.

Also consider access for fire crews and the secure location of service isolation switches. If you run a car park or multi-storey facility, discuss emergency access with the local fire and rescue service during design or before introducing large numbers of chargers. See gov.uk for recommended practice.

Insurance, procurement and stakeholder engagement

Always talk to your insurer early. Insurers may have specific siting, signage, or system requirements. In addition, involve stakeholders such as facilities teams, fleet managers, landlords and the fire and rescue service when you plan charging infrastructure. Their input helps you align operational procedures, insurance cover and emergency planning. The IET and industry guidance both recommend communication with insurers and DNOs where load changes are significant. See electrical.theiet.org.

When procuring chargers, favour reputable manufacturers and installers who supply certified equipment and full documentation. Ask for warranties, fault-logging features and a structure for remote monitoring if you intend to install many units.

How Total Safe supports your business

Total Safe helps businesses bring EV charging into an existing fire safety management system. We can update or carry out a Fire Risk Assessment that includes EV charging hazards, advise on layout, detection and ventilation upgrades, work with your electrical and building teams to align fire strategy with installation requirements, and run staff training and emergency drills that reflect the new risks.

If you need a tailored assessment, see our Fire Risk Assessment service for details and contact options and explore our wider Fire Safety Services for installation and maintenance support. For reference see totalsafeuk.com.

Practical checklist: getting started this month

Action — update the fire risk assessment to include charging locations and patterns.

Action — contact your insurer to confirm any siting or control requirements.

Action — ensure chargers are installed by competent electricians to BS 7671 and the IET Code. See electrical.theiet.org.

Action — implement physical protection for chargepoints and mark charging bays clearly.

Action — review detection and ventilation in enclosed spaces; consider specialist advice for covered car parks. See gov.uk.

Action — create operational rules for charging and a maintenance schedule for equipment.

Action — train staff and publish evacuation/incident response procedures that reference isolation points and fire service contact details.

Conclusion and next steps

Fire risks from charging electric vehicles are manageable when you follow a structured process: assess the risk, apply technical and managerial controls, and maintain systems through inspection and training. Begin by updating your fire risk assessment and consulting your insurer. If chargers are already in use, prioritise inspections, isolation arrangements and staff communications. For complex or high-risk sites, such as underground car parks, take specialist advice early and consider additional detection or suppression measures.

For technical design details consult the IET Code of Practice for electric vehicle charging installations and the government’s interim guidance for covered car parks. These resources provide the standards and design recommendations you should follow. See electrical.theiet.org.

FAQ

Q: Do I need to include EV charging in my fire risk assessment?

A: Yes. Any new equipment or activity that changes the fire risk must be considered in your assessment, and you should record actions and timescales for any required controls. See riskstop.co.uk for practical guidance.

Q: Can I charge vehicles inside a building or basement?

A: Charging inside increases risk. If unavoidable, locate charging bays close to exits, provide ventilation and appropriate detection, and separate the area with fire-resisting construction guided by the fire risk assessment and government car park guidance. See gov.uk.

Q: What standards should installers follow for workplace chargers?

A: Installers should follow BS 7671 wiring regulations and the IET Code of Practice for EV charging equipment. Ensure test certificates and product conformity markings are provided at handover. See electrical.theiet.org.

Q: Who should I inform about new charging installations?

A: Notify your insurer and consult the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or Energy Networks Association if the additional load affects the connection. Also involve the fire and rescue service for high-risk sites. Technical guidance is available from electrical.theiet.org.

Q: How can Total Safe help with EV charging fire safety?

A: Total Safe provides tailored fire risk assessments, strategic advice on detection and ventilation, fire safety management support and training to ensure your charging provision is safe and compliant. See our Fire Safety Services to arrange a consultation. For more detail see totalsafeuk.com.