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November 17, 2025
Modern consumers and commercial fleet owners continue to electrify their transportation, meaning facility managers must account for modern fire protection challenges. The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) in commercial, residential, and industrial spaces has introduced an unprecedented range of new fire risks.
Fire protection for vehicle parking has been included in adopted codes, but lithium-ion batteries introduce unique hazards that are not yet fully addressed by prescriptive codes. Charging often takes place indoors and in tight spaces, further complicating risk. For facility owners working with code officials, safeguarding against EV fire risk demands a proactive strategy.
As EVs continue to become more prevalent in modern facilities, what’s the best course of action for developing fire protection strategies?
Traditional internal-combustion vehicles pose acute hazards. For example, a short circuit or fuel spill can cause an immediate fire. However, lithium-ion batteries are more susceptible to chronic abuse and acute events that can result in smoldering before entering thermal runaway, a chain reaction that sustains combustion and can reignite multiple times until all fuel is consumed. EV fire incidents are nuanced, and facility owners must understand the following risks:
Because the onset of a lithium-ion battery fire can be very rapid, early detection and containment are crucial.
Many facilities now face fire protection scenarios that existing codes were never designed to address. Code officials and insurance carriers are increasingly asking for proof of risk assessments for environments where EVs are stored or charged. Facility types include:
Even when formal codes lag behind technology, these spaces demand tailored fire protection strategies. If you’re storing and charging modern vehicles with new and rapidly advancing technologies, you need to think about the future of fire protection for your facility.
As EV adoption accelerates, fire protection engineering has entered relatively uncharted territory. Lithium-ion batteries behave differently from traditional fuel engines. Fires can start later, burn longer, reignite, and release toxic gases that are harder to contain.
Many charging and storage areas weren’t designed for these unique hazards. The mismatch creates gaps in detection, suppression, and ventilation strategies, putting first responders and infrastructure at risk.
To ensure occupant safety, protect the expensive assets with which they’re entrusted, and guarantee structures are built to withstand damage, facility managers need to understand the following emerging pain points.
Lithium-ion battery packs are sealed, which means that the emission of smoke or gas can be delayed and is often immediately followed by ignition. Traditional smoke detectors may react too late. In many modern vehicles, the battery is an integral part of the frame or hidden underneath the frame, making it much harder to see or get to in an emergency. Newer detection tools, such as off-gassing sensors, thermal cameras, and integrated battery-management-system alerts, can spot early warning signs.
Conventional sprinklers may not penetrate battery enclosures. The amount of water needed to mitigate complex, phase-based fire incidents is high, and excess runoff can create environmental issues. With changing regulations, it’s important not just to maximize the efficacy of your fire suppression strategies, but to minimize waste. Further, the water-based fire suppression system is vital to provide cooling water to the adjacent vehicles and the structure to prevent the escalation of the incident.
EV battery fires can emit hydrogen fluoride and other harmful gases, which can cause chain reactions and often reignite. Ignition of vented gases can allow fires to spread rapidly to other flammable components, ultimately endangering nearby vehicles, occupants, and first responders.
The long burn durations of EV battery fires and the structural impacts they cause can complicate firefighting. Vehicle spacing, structural integrity, and safe access routes must be considered in building design.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes are evolving, but many EV use-cases remain underspecified. Your fire engineering plan must account for all potential risks.
Relevant NFPA codes for EV fire protection include:
Dirty or damaged chargers, uninspected EVs, and poorly planned layouts can elevate risk. The exact architecture of your parking structure and the vehicle separation within are critical considerations for fire containment.
Since standards and codes are still catching up to rapidly evolving EV technology, working with a fire protection engineer makes all the difference. A fire protection engineer can perform a comprehensive risk assessment that identifies hazards unique to EV charging and storage while recommending strategies tailored to your facility.
Best practices go beyond sprinklers and alarms — they involve early detection tools, carefully engineered facility layouts, staff training, and a clear understanding of current regulatory guidance. By engaging an expert early, facility owners and managers can close compliance gaps, minimize liability, and protect investments.
Here’s what a fire protection engineer evaluates during an EV fire risk assessment:
EV-specific fire protection is still being studied and is not yet fully codified. But waiting for prescriptive rules can leave organizations exposed. By integrating modern detection tools, revisiting facility layouts, and partnering with fire protection experts on evolving standards, you can reduce liability, protect costly assets, and reassure stakeholders.
For tailored risk assessments and up-to-date guidance on EV fire hazards, consult a fire protection engineering specialist experienced in lithium-ion technology and the associated risks for your specific storage and charging environment.
If you need help ensuring your building project is ready to mitigate EV fire risks, partner with Performance Based Fire Protection Engineering for expert code consulting and risk assessments. Our experts understand EV fire protection code in this evolving technological landscape and can ensure your facility stays safe and ready for what’s next. Contact us to start the conversation.
