Focus on EV charging restrictions and fire prevention measures in automated parking systems
In response to multiple fire incidents in parking lots, the Maharashtra fire services department has introduced comprehensive guidelines aimed at improving the fire safety of parking structures, as outlined in the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations 2020 and the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006. Among the key recommendations is a ban on charging electric vehicles (EVs) in automated car parking towers, puzzle parking systems, and basement parking areas.
The guidelines highlight the challenges developers face in accommodating parking spaces in high-rise buildings, particularly in major cities where space is limited. While minimum parking provisions are typically met, the guidelines caution against using free open spaces or narrow lanes for additional or visitor parking, as these can obstruct the movement of fire and rescue vehicles, posing a significant risk during emergencies.
A major fire at the Lokhandwala complex last year, where cars parked on an access ramp had to be physically moved, has prompted the department to establish stricter guidelines for multi-level parking. The guidelines warn that vehicles parked close together, both horizontally and vertically, increase the risk of rapid fire spread. They emphasise that car stacker systems, which often contain a large number of vehicles in a single fire compartment, create a very high fire load that must be avoided.
With the rise in electric vehicle usage, the guidelines also address the specific challenges associated with EV fires. When EVs are stored in car stacker systems, especially those with charging capabilities, additional safety considerations must be taken into account due to the unique behaviour and hazards of lithium-ion battery fires. The guidelines recommend that EV charging facilities be located in well-ventilated areas, as fires in closed spaces can be particularly difficult to control.
The lithium-ion batteries used in EVs, typically found in the floor pan of the vehicles, are composed of thousands of individual cells and present a high-density fuel source. These batteries can ignite due to chemical reactions, and the resulting fires are difficult to extinguish by conventional means. The guidelines stress the need for parking structures to be designed with these risks in mind, incorporating fire safety systems that can address the specific dangers posed by EV fires.
