Lithium-ion batteries are the predominant type of rechargeable battery used in electric vehicles (EV), which are at highest risk of fire when being charged, particularly if a cell is defective and unable to correctly convert the supplied electrical energy into stored chemical energy.

RC59 has been revised to focus on fire hazards and good-practice risk control measures for the charging of electric vehicles using lithium-ion batteries.

This document has been developed through the RISCAuthority and published by the Fire Protection Association (FPA). RISCAuthority membership comprises a group of UK insurers that actively support a number of expert working groups developing and promulgating best practice for the protection of people, property, businesses, and the environment from loss due to fire and other risks. The table below summarises the key points of the document.

Fire risk assessment

• Practical passive, active, and managerial control measures should be considered as part of the fire risk assessment for the premises when selecting and designing areas for use as electric charging points.

Fire safety management

• When selecting sites for charging points, sufficient space must be allowed for vehicles to be parked safely in the designated charging area, and for connection to be made to the charging equipment. Adequate space should be allowed to manoeuvre other vehicles around charging vehicles safely when necessary. 
• All relevant staff should be trained in the safe use of the chargers for vehicles that they are responsible for.

General considerations

• Charging bays should be signed and marked prominently on the ground to allow vehicles to park close to the charging point, and prevent the stretching of charging cables. The length of charging cables should be sufficient to allow their use with the intended equipment without risk of damage.
• Charging points for electric road vehicles operated by a company, together with those provided for visitors’ transport, should normally be located outside the premises.
• Charging points should be protected against mechanical damage by vehicles. For example, they should be installed above ground level and be located on a raised island, or be protected by kerbs, bollards, or metal barriers.
• Where multiple chargers are in use, there should be clear and prominent notices at each charging point, indicating for which equipment or vehicle(s) it is suitable.
• Where charging points are to be provided in multi-storey car parks, consideration should be given to locating these in open areas with good -access for fire-fighting.
• Avoid excessive temperatures and humidity inside electric vehicle charging areas. The temperature of the charging area should not be such that overheating may occur during the charging process.

Electrical provisions

• Where rapid charging points – known as ‘DC fast charge’ and operating at 500V DC – are provided, they should be clearly differentiated from conventional charging points because of the hazards associated with the direct current.
• A circuit intended to supply an electric vehicle must be fit for purpose and suitable for the electrical load.
• Where a BS 1363-2 (ref. 6) socket outlet is used for electric vehicle charging, it must be marked ‘EV’ on the back of the socket unless there is no possibility of confusion, and a label must be put on the front face or adjacent to the socket outlet or its enclosure stating ‘suitable for electric vehicle charging’.

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