Why these risks need their own assessment
Lithium-ion batteries can fail through thermal runaway – a self-sustaining reaction that produces intense heat, toxic and flammable gases and, in some cases, explosion. Fires involving electric vehicles, e-bikes and battery storage behave differently from the fires most buildings were designed for, and existing fire risk assessments rarely cover them in enough detail.
The responsible person's duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to these risks like any other. Insurers are also asking more questions, particularly about chargepoints in enclosed car parks and batteries in plant rooms.
EV charging in covered car parks
Government guidance for covered car parks, published by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, recommends that a competent fire risk assessor reviews the impact of chargepoints before they're installed. It covers measures such as a clearly labelled emergency isolation switch, detection and early warning, sprinklers, enhanced smoke ventilation, larger bay spacing, firefighting water supplies and access for the fire service. We assess which of these are proportionate for your car park.
Solar PV on roofs
Rooftop PV introduces live DC cabling that can't simply be switched off in daylight, ignition risks at connectors and inverters, and potential fire spread across the roof. We look at the installation against BS 7671 and recognised insurer guidance, the roof construction beneath it, cable routes through the building, isolation and signage, and what firefighters need to know.
Battery energy storage
For storage in dwellings, PAS 63100:2024 sets out where batteries should not go – including sleeping rooms, escape routes, lofts and voids. For larger systems in plant rooms, car parks or commercial buildings, we assess separation, ventilation, detection, suppression and access, and how a battery fire would affect the building's evacuation strategy.
E-bikes and e-scooters in residential buildings
Fire services, including the London Fire Brigade, warn about fires from e-bike and e-scooter batteries, especially when they're charged or stored in corridors and stairwells. We review storage and charging arrangements, policies for residents, and the fire risk assessment, and recommend practical controls. See our e-bike fire safety guide for blocks of flats.
What's included
- Review of proposed or existing installation
- Site inspection of car park, roof or plant room
- Impact on escape routes and evacuation strategy
- Isolation, signage and fire service information
- Detection, suppression and ventilation review
- Separation and fire-resisting construction
- Comparison with published guidance
- Management and resident policy recommendations
- Prioritised action plan
- Update to the building's fire risk assessment
Fees
Fees depend on the type and size of the installation, the building it's in and whether design information is available. Assessing a proposed scheme before installation is usually quicker and cheaper than retrofitting controls later. See the cost guide.
Where we work
Assessments are carried out across London, Slough and Berkshire.
Guides on this topic
- E-bike fire safety in blocks of flats: managing lithium-ion battery risks from e-bikes and e-scooters
- EV charging in car parks: the fire risks and what owners should do
- Solar PV and battery storage fire risk: what to assess on your building
Related services
- Fire Risk Assessments – for flats, HMOs, offices and commercial premises
- Fire Strategy Reports – for new builds, refurbishments and changes of use
- Fire Compartmentation Surveys – fire stopping, cavity barriers and risers