What fire safety checks do EV chargers need in a covered car park?

Start with your car park's fire assessment and design constraints before choosing charger locations. The government's 2023 interim covered-car-park guidance applies to England and covers new and existing sites [S1]. It supports assessment rather than replacing safety regulations. Agree the measures with competent specialists, and confirm operating responsibilities before opening the chargers. Checked October 2026.

Last checked 16 October 2026

What does the covered car park EV fire safety guidance cover?

The official publication is interim guidance for owners, operators, designers and risk assessors. It addresses both retrofitting charging into existing covered car parks and designing new ones. Its interim status reflects developing evidence; it does not replace existing safety duties or give a site permission to proceed. [S1]

Start your project file with a location plan and the existing fire strategy. Describe the building above or beside the car park, vehicle circulation, pedestrian routes and the proposed charging area. Ask the assessor to identify which information is missing before the installer fixes the layout.

Keep the commercial offer separate from the assessment decision. A fully funded offer may allocate installation and maintenance work, but ask your solicitor to check what responsibilities the agreement actually transfers. Do the same for a part funded or self funded installation. Equipment ownership alone is not a complete responsibility schedule.

Who is responsible for fire safety when chargers are added?

Government workplace guidance identifies employers, owners, landlords, occupiers and others controlling premises as possible responsible persons. Where responsibilities overlap, they must work together. Shared premises therefore need a coordinated plan rather than separate instructions that conflict. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different fire safety rules. [S3]

As a practical project step, bring the landlord, car park manager, building manager, installer and operator into the same design review. Ask each to identify the area and equipment they control. Record who approves layout changes, who reports defects and who can suspend charging when a safety concern arises.

Use the fire assessment guide to prepare the scope. Request written confirmation of unresolved legal points from your solicitor; this page cannot decide the allocation for your lease or management structure.

What should the fire risk assessment examine?

The government assessment process starts with hazards and people at risk, then evaluates and reduces risks. It requires a written record, an emergency plan, training and regular review. It specifically includes escape routes, warnings, firefighting equipment and vulnerable people. [S4]

For the charger proposal, ask your assessor to mark concerns directly on the layout. Request an action owner and a completion record for each change. A broad statement that the car park has been assessed is less useful for handover than a drawing showing the equipment and the measures actually reviewed.

Use this suggested project checklist to organise the discussion:

Compare the reviewed layout with the charger positioning guide and accessible charging guide. Ask the design team to resolve competing requirements together before construction.

Do covered car parks need sprinklers or other extra measures?

The technical guidance discusses mitigation including suppression, detection, smoke management, charger location, electrical isolation, fire-service access and water run-off. It uses a risk-based approach. Ask the competent design team to explain which measures are appropriate for your particular building and why. [S2]

Do not turn a measure mentioned in a guide into an automatic specification for every car park. Equally, do not accept an equipment quotation as evidence that the existing protection is sufficient. Request the design reasoning, the works included in the price and any dependencies on the rest of the building.

Have the project team identify commissioning and ongoing inspection costs for the chosen measures. Ask whether any building work needs approval and who will obtain it. Confirm insurance requirements directly with your insurer and keep the response with the reviewed design. No premium or coverage outcome is assumed here.

What operating and emergency arrangements should your site have?

Government evacuation guidance calls for clear escape routes, suitable exits, emergency lighting where needed, staff training and arrangements for people who need help escaping. Check the car park’s plan against those requirements with the responsible person. [S5]

Ask for a concise staff instruction that matches the building’s emergency plan. It should explain raising the alarm, directing people away from danger and contacting emergency services. Staff should not improvise vehicle recovery or battery firefighting. Include the operator’s contact and the location of information responders will need, as agreed by your fire specialist.

HSE explains that electrical equipment needs maintenance to prevent danger, with the approach based on its use and environment. Agree what routine visual checks staff can perform and which work needs competent electrical personnel. [S6] Use the maintenance guide to frame that service specification.

What should you do next?

Commission the assessment and confirm its action list before accepting a final charger layout. If a stationary battery is proposed, include it in the design discussion and read the battery fire safety guide.

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