Code Require Changes When Adding EV Stations?

2/10/2025

Is there anything in the code that specifically talks about EV (Electric Vehicle) charging stations?

Anything that might say "If you are adding EV Stations in a garage the sprinkler system must be checked, upgraded or analyzed?"

Thanks in advance.

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12 Comments

Glenn Berger

2/10/2025 08:13:01 am

The answer to your question is maybe! Once you add a "significant" change the occupancy may not be just a parking garage as defined in the IBC - Group S-2 to a potential Group S-1.

Meghan

2/10/2025 08:14:55 am

The Code hasn't caught up to this yet but you can request a re-evaluation of the sprinkler system based on NFPA 101:4.6.1.2 [2021]: Any requirements that are essential for the safety of building occupants and that are not specifically provided for by this Code shall be determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

Since EV fires typically burn hotter and for longer, and require greater amounts of water, the structural integrity of the building is paramount to occupant safety, especially for egress. So this Code applies. Some states don't allow the EV chargers to be regulated themselves, but as the AHJ you regulate around it (i.e. require a sprinkler system evaluation, fire blankets, remote disconnects, etc.).

Anthony

2/10/2025 10:06:22 am

I agree with Meghan here, code is lagging behind the technology. To be fair to the code authors it's VERY hard to remove a requirement once in place so mandating anything now based on current tech that may by obsolete in 2 years is a hard sell to most code bodies.

Chad

2/10/2025 11:55:33 am

Meghan is spot on, if you are an NFPA location. Its like the wild west right now. Some Local AHJs like San Francisco have adopted more stringent sprinkler requirements. They are extensive. Not sure if I agree with them or not, we dont have enough data but its not a bad idea.

You do not put out a Li ion battery in thermal run away, you can only indirectly cool it. Sprinklers suppress the other materials from burning.

Now the question is, if you do have an existing garage reevaluated what, beyond going from OH1 to OH2 would you ask for? Frankly that difference in water is akin to spitting on the fire, but more is better.

Blankets, IMO are for FF's to use, not the public, and only while you establish adequate water supply to retard fire growth. We do not need civilian injuries or deaths

Todd E Wyatt

2/10/2025 08:19:53 am

The scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2021) includes the following ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION (EVCS) references :

Chapter 2 Definitions
Section 202 Definitions
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION. One or more vehicle spaces served by an electric vehicle charging system.

Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
Section 406 Motor-Vehicle-Related Occupancies
406.2.7 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Systems
Where provided, electric vehicle charging systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70.
Electric vehicle charging system equipment shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2202.
Electric vehicle supply equipment shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2594.
Accessibility to electric vehicle charging stations shall be provided in accordance with Section 1107.

Chapter 11 Accessibility
Section 1107 Motor-Vehicle-Related Facilities
1107.2 Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations
Electrical vehicle charging stations shall comply with Sections 1107.2.1 and 1107.2.2.
Exception: Electrical vehicle charging stations provided to serve Group R-2, R-3 and R-4 occupancies are not required to comply with this section.
1107.2.1 Number of Accessible Vehicle Spaces
Not less than 5 percent of vehicle spaces on the site served by electrical vehicle charging systems, but not fewer than one for each type of electric vehicle charging system, shall be accessible.
1107.2.2 Vehicle Space Size
Accessible vehicle spaces shall comply with the requirements for a van accessible parking space that is 132 inches (3350 mm) minimum in width with an adjoining access aisle that is 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum in width.

There is nothing currently addressing where an Automatic Sprinkler System (ASPS) is required in relations to an ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION.

Ricardo Gonzales Jr

2/10/2025 08:40:24 am

I've been asking these questions sine the Surprise AZ incident. What I've decided to do is see what other jurisdictions are doing. I've paid attention to NYC since they have a dense population and NYC has mandated energy storage and the only places they can do that is within buildings people live in. What is FDNY doing? Another is California where I've scene plans where they treat EVs similar to Class A plastics for sprinklers. The idea is not to suppress the fire, Li-Ion will burn unless drowned, but to keep the fire from spreading.

Pete H

2/10/2025 09:30:54 am

Does your jurisdiction adopt NFPA 88A?

Franck

2/10/2025 12:19:34 pm

There is no actual regulation so far.
But some reaction (some countries in Europe and Asia start to ban EV charging station, and even EV vehicles in underground garages, for example).
In the Insurance industry, even though there is no standard, there are some recommended practices.
Some companies require EV parking area to be protected as an EH Gr 1 (or even Gr 2), which is slightly more than the current NFPA requirement of OH Gr 2 for parking structures.
For outside locations, a best practice is to consider charging station (and the associated parking area for the vehicle) to be considered as a large transformer fire exposure, thus requiring a 50 ft separation distance from important building and equipment or a 2 h rated fire wall.
And there are some research done as well.
This really represents a serious challenge for firefigthers.
Note that a new NFPA standard may be available in the near future regarding Li-ion batteries (NFPA 800), but not sure whether the specific case of EV charging station will be addressed.

Jack G

2/10/2025 01:37:27 pm

No changes to codes yet, but will be forthcoming like initial reaction to solar panels on the roof of warehouses.
I like the idea of banning charging stations in underground parking garages.
I would support a deluge system ( in underground garages- at charging stations—- because of 2 things…. Charging stations fires and electrical car fires ) much like the systems I installed on the tracks ( facing up with blowoff caps) of ( subway trains in tunnels and where parked , with electrical in entire bottom of the rail cars , to put out the electrical fires. These systems had fdc pumpers at the ground level, and proportioners for the addition of foam by the fire department.
Like said above — drown them and/ or fire departments could pump in foam to the fdc s.

Jesse

2/10/2025 02:02:45 pm

Code really isn;t proactive, but reactive. Most of the code is derived from loss. Loss teaches us what doesn't work. And this is an area where the code hasn't caught up to the reality we live in quite yet.

We can hydraulically assess automatic sprinkler systems any time. But the problem here is that we don't yet have a clearly defined design criteria in 13

Mark B link

2/10/2025 09:05:00 pm

The SFPE NJ chapter just had a presentation in regards to parking structures and what code changes are being updated to address these issues. The Presentation was by John Denhardt of the American Fire Sprinkler Association. Some big changes that he outlined are:
1. All parking decks will require sprinklers moving forward, regardless of open or closed status.
2. The Engineer of record is responsible for the hazard analysis in the design phase. While NFPA 13 annex states parking decks are OH1, this is the minimum standard, and the EOR has the responsibility to justify their assessment. His personal assessment is that parking decks should be EH2.
3. There is currently not enough data/testing on EV vehicles and how they burn. He stated that there currently are studies/burns that are just starting up with (I believe) the NFPA foundation and AFSA. Allegedly, over 10 Tesla's have been donated for the study, but the results will not be available for a year.
4. NFPA 88a is up for public comment this June, and there are minimal requirements for electric vehicles in the standard currently. He suggested that if there is a topic in regards to EV vehicles in parking structures, that the public comment, so the standard is as up to date as possible.

For your current situation, you most likely can go the route that Glenn or Meghan recommended and require the structure to be re-analyzed by the Engineer of Record. If the EOR states that the hazard has not changed, you can work with them/persuade them that the hazard classification is harder. Another route is to contact the insurance company of parking structure, and request their guidance on the situation, as they can require more stringent guidelines. Lastly, you can reach out to the team at AFSA, and I'm sure their team will be glad to help you out.

San

2/11/2025 01:15:46 am

Why not to apply Fixed Aerosol System for EV station. Its independent, reliable and activates based on flame temperature to quench fire.

Code Require Changes When Adding EV Stations?

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