EV Chargers & Battery Storage: Fire Risk for Manchester Car Parks
Why EV Chargers And Lithium Storage Change Car Park Fire Risk In Greater Manchester
EV charging points and lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) change the risk profile in multi-storey, basement and open-deck car parks across Greater Manchester. Key issues include thermal runaway, flammable off-gassing, high heat release rates, and obstructed access for crews. Older buildings in Manchester, Salford, Trafford and Stockport often have limited ventilation and confined cores, which can trap smoke and heat.
Under the Fire Safety Order, the responsible person must assess these hazards and adapt controls. Review baseline ignition sources alongside EV and BESS risks. For context on core workplace risks, see the most common causes of business fires.
- City-centre offices with basement parking
- Retail parks with public charging
- Mill conversions with limited ventilation
Your Legal Duties And The Standards To Use
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. It must specifically cover EV charging bays and any lithium-ion storage on site. Reference standards and guidance including BS 5839-1 (fire alarms), BS 5266-1 (emergency lighting), BS 7671 Section 722 and the IET Code of Practice (EV charging), BS 9999 (design), PAS 79 (risk assessment), NFCC guidance, and manufacturer/DNO requirements.
For obligations context, see is it a legal requirement to have a fire alarm in a commercial property and how ready would you be if a fire inspector turned up. Notify insurers. Engage planning/building control for new installs and liaise early with GMFRS on access and water supplies.
Risk Assessing EV Charging Bays In Mixed-Use Car Parks
Start with siting. Keep EV bays away from escape routes, building intakes, stair cores and vulnerable structures. Avoid basements or choke points without smoke control. Ensure natural or mechanical ventilation is available and effective. Maintain separation from combustibles and other vehicles; add barriers or wheel stops to protect chargers and prevent vehicle strikes.
Introduce operational controls: access-controlled charging, managed dwell times, lockable isolators, routine inspections and CCTV coverage. Improve arson resilience with good lighting, cable protection and housekeeping. For roles, see who is responsible for fire risk assessments in the workplace. For surveillance benefits, read the benefits of commercial CCTV systems for businesses.
- Confirm ventilation and separation distances
- Protect chargers with bollards or wheel stops
- Lockable isolators and controlled access
- Routine inspections and CCTV coverage
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Detection And Alarm Design For EV Car Parks
Choose robust detection to suit the environment. Use heat or multi-criteria detectors for enclosed decks. Add linear heat detection along EV charge runs. Consider aspirating detection in sensitive areas. Use IP-rated devices and position them to avoid exhaust plumes and weather effects.
Set clear cause-and-effect: alarm, start extraction/smoke control, issue PA messages, shut down chargers, and release access barriers. Zone EV areas clearly and enable 24/7 remote Alarm Monitoring for out-of-hours incidents across Greater Manchester. Maintain and certify to BS 5839-1. See fire alarm installation and servicing for businesses in Manchester for design and maintenance support.
Battery Energy Storage (BESS): Siting, Separation And Detection
Prefer outdoor siting with secure fencing and separation from buildings, public areas and vehicle routes. Avoid basements and locations under occupied floors. Follow manufacturer and DNO guidance on deflagration/vent panels, spill containment and isolation. Provide clear access for GMFRS.
Use early warning: heat rise detection and off-gas sensing for lithium-ion failure indicators. Integrate BESS alarms and shutdowns into the main fire alarm for staged response. Employ compartmentation with fire-rated rooms/enclosures and protect routes for cabling. Agree written emergency procedures with GMFRS and test them.
Signage, Wayfinding And Controls For EV Areas
Install safety signage to BS EN ISO 7010: EV point identification, emergency stop/isolation, No Smoking, Keep Clear and fire action notices. Mark floor bays, hatching, escape routes and fire points. Number bays for control and incident logging.
Use clear public instructions in mixed-use car parks. Consider pictograms or multilingual messaging. Test visibility under power loss with routine emergency lighting checks and run periodic signage audits. Keep simple PA messages ready for evacuations and misuse warnings.
Emergency Procedures, Evacuation And Liaison With GMFRS
On alarm: raise the alarm, call 999, isolate chargers, evacuate affected levels and keep routes clear for crews. Pre-agree sequences for smoke control and sprinkler interfaces. Configure systems to release barriers and doors for fire service access.
Set muster points away from EV/BESS zones. Prepare PEEPs for staff and visitors who need assistance. Keep a brief incident log for handover. Engage GMFRS on site access, hydrants and any BESS specifics, and review plans after drills or incidents.
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Extinguishers, Sprinklers And First Response
Provide suitable extinguishers at EV zones and plant rooms: water mist for general risks and CO2 for electrical equipment, positioned along escape routes and at fire points to BS 5306-8. Mark locations clearly.
Lithium-ion battery fires are complex. The priority is to cool exposed areas and prevent spread. Staff should not attempt to fight a thermal runaway battery pack. Where feasible, sprinklers or dedicated water supplies help control heat. Train staff on first-response steps, isolation and evacuation, and maintain competence through regular refreshers.
Maintenance, Testing And Monitoring: Keep Systems Reliable
Adopt a simple schedule: weekly fire alarm tests, monthly emergency lighting function tests, and monthly visual extinguisher checks. Arrange quarterly and annual servicing to the relevant British Standards by competent, accredited providers.
Use remote Alarm Monitoring for faster out-of-hours response across Greater Manchester. Integrate CCTV analytics and Access Control to manage bay misuse, keep routes clear and support investigations. This improves business security and keeps car parks compliant and operational.
Common Issues Across Manchester Sites And How To Fix Them
City-centre multi-storeys with enclosed decks and EV bays: apply targeted heat and linear detection, set strong smoke control logic and enable monitored alarms. Mill conversions with tight cores: site bays carefully, check compartmentation quality and upgrade signage/emergency lighting.
Retail parks with public chargers: add CCTV oversight, access control and clear public instructions. Logistics hubs and staff car parks: segregate staff charging from goods vehicles, improve arson resilience and ensure monitored systems for nights and weekends.
Work With A Local, Accredited Team
Jackson Fire & Security Manchester provides single-provider cover for fire alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers, monitoring, CCTV, access control and doors. We hold NSI Gold approval and BAFE registration, with 24/7 call-out from a Manchester-based team that understands city-centre buildings, older industrial stock and large multi-tenant sites.
Book an EV/BESS-focused fire risk assessment and system review. See our full capability on the services page. We design, install and maintain systems to the relevant British Standards and support you through inspection and insurer requirements.
FAQs
Do I Need A Separate Risk Assessment For EV Charge Points?
No, but your fire risk assessment must specifically cover EV bays and any BESS on site. Update it when layouts, loads or equipment change.
What Detectors Work Best In Car Parks With EV Bays?
Use heat or multi-criteria detection for enclosed decks, plus linear heat detection along charger runs. Choose robust, IP-rated devices and position them carefully.
Should Staff Use Extinguishers On An EV Battery Fire?
Do not attempt to tackle a battery in thermal runaway. Prioritise raising the alarm, isolating power, evacuating and preventing spread.
How Far Should BESS Be From Buildings And People?
Follow manufacturer/DNO guidance, but aim for outdoor siting with secure fencing and generous separation from buildings, public areas and vehicle routes.
How Often Should We Test Car Park Emergency Lighting?
Function test monthly and complete annual duration tests, with records kept. Fix defects promptly to maintain clear evacuation routes.
What Should Happen Automatically On An EV Area Alarm?
Trigger alarms, start smoke control, issue PA messages, shut down chargers and release access barriers. Use zones and remote monitoring for swift response.
Can CCTV And Access Control Improve EV Bay Safety?
Yes. They deter misuse and arson, protect chargers from damage and support incident investigations. Integrate them with your alarm strategy.