Why are enclosed car parks different?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that underground car parks are fundamentally unsafe for EV charging. In reality, the difference lies in the environment rather than the charger itself.
A basement or covered car park often has characteristics that are not present in an open-air location, including:
- Limited natural ventilation.
- Structural elements supporting occupied floors.
- Defined means of escape.
- Fire compartmentation.
- Mechanical smoke ventilation systems.
- Higher concentrations of parked vehicles.
- Restricted access for maintenance and emergency services.
These characteristics don’t prevent EV charging from being installed. They simply mean the charging infrastructure should be designed as part of the wider building rather than as an isolated electrical installation.
Good design starts with understanding the building
Successful installations begin with understanding the property itself. Before selecting charger models or deciding where equipment should be installed, organisations should consider questions such as:
- How is the car park currently used?
- Is it open, partially enclosed or fully underground?
- Who uses the building?
- What type of vehicles will be charging?
- Is the installation intended for staff, residents, visitors or fleets?
- What fire protection systems already exist?
- Are there any insurer recommendations that should be considered?
These questions often shape the design more than the charger specification itself. Every building is different. The safest installations are those designed specifically for their environment rather than copied from another site.
Integrating EV charging with the building fire strategy
One of the most important principles in modern building design is that systems should work together—not independently. EV charging infrastructure should therefore be considered as part of the building’s overall fire strategy. Depending on the property, this may involve reviewing:
- Fire detection systems.
- Fire alarm arrangements.
- Smoke control systems.
- Emergency lighting.
- Escape routes.
- Fire compartmentation.
- Emergency response procedures.
This does not necessarily mean extensive alterations are required. Often, it simply means ensuring that everyone involved in the project understands how the charging infrastructure fits within the wider building.
Physical protection is often overlooked
When people think about fire safety, they naturally focus on electrical systems. However, one of the most common causes of damage to commercial EV chargers is far more straightforward: Vehicle impact. Cars manoeuvring in confined parking areas can easily strike charging equipment.
For this reason, good design often includes:
- Steel protection bollards.
- Wheel stops.
- Protective barriers.
- Appropriate stand-off distances.
- Careful charger positioning.
Protecting equipment from accidental damage not only improves safety but also reduces maintenance costs and improves long-term reliability.
Electrical infrastructure matters just as much as the charger
Installing an EV charger involves much more than fixing equipment to a wall. The supporting electrical infrastructure should also be considered, including:
- Distribution boards.
- Protective devices.
- Cable routing.
- Isolation arrangements.
- Load management.
- Future expansion capacity.
A well-designed electrical installation should allow the charging infrastructure to operate safely while supporting future growth in demand. Planning for expansion at the outset can often avoid expensive alterations later.
Maintenance should be considered before installation
One of the simplest questions is often forgotten: How will this equipment be maintained over the next fifteen years?
Engineers need safe access to:
- Chargers.
- Isolation points.
- Distribution boards.
- Communication equipment.
- Protective barriers.
Poor accessibility can increase maintenance costs, prolong downtime and make routine inspections more difficult. Designing for maintainability is therefore an important part of good risk management.
Working with insurers and fire professionals
For larger or more complex developments, early engagement with insurers, fire engineers and other building professionals can be extremely valuable.
Many insurers now publish guidance relating to EV charging infrastructure, while documents such as RISC Authority RC59 encourage organisations to adopt a structured, risk-based approach.
This collaborative approach often helps identify opportunities to improve resilience before installation begins, rather than relying on costly changes after the project has been completed.
Fire alarm integration. Is automatic shutdown always required?
One of the most common questions we receive is whether EV chargers should automatically stop charging if the building fire alarm activates. The answer is not always straightforward.
Some buildings incorporate automatic shutdown as part of their fire strategy. Others adopt alternative arrangements based on the building design, occupancy and recommendations of the project team. There is no universal requirement that applies to every installation.
Instead, the most appropriate approach should be determined through competent design and a site-specific assessment that considers the overall fire strategy. This subject is explored in more detail in our guide: Should EV chargers automatically switch off during a fire alarm?
Good management doesn’t stop on the day of installation
A compliant installation is only the beginning. Long-term safety depends on how the charging infrastructure is managed throughout its life. Property owners should ensure there are arrangements for:
- Routine inspections.
- Planned preventative maintenance.
- Damage reporting.
- Firmware updates where appropriate.
- Software monitoring.
- Record keeping.
- Periodic review of risk assessments.
These activities help ensure the installation continues to perform as intended as the building and its use evolve over time.