Author: Martin Lown BEM
In October, there were two significant car fires in parking garages in Finland - one in Tampere and one in Kerava -where several vehicles were destroyed. Globally, there are also many examples of vehicle fires in parking structures, which have proven to be complex and hazardous; in some cases, injuries or fatalities have occurred.
Having served 30 years in the UK Fire Service - as a firefighter and commander, and as a Vehicle Fire Investigator- and from my review of numerous incident reports, arriving firefighters are rarely confronted with a simple “car fire.” More often, they face fires involving multiple vehicles that are well-developed and actively spreading.
Fire hazards posed by modern vehicles in parking garages
Fires in parking facilities involving modern vehicles develop rapidly and create highly hazardous conditions that challenge firefighting response. Toxic and flammable vapours, as well as explosive risks, are particularly difficult to manage within enclosed structures.
Many parking facilities were designed based on older vehicle fire risks, but modern vehicles are larger and contain more combustible materials, including plastics, fuels, batteries, and gases. Therefore, it is essential that firefighters’ awareness, training, equipment, and tactics evolve to manage these risks effectively and, most importantly, safely.
From Traditional Firefighting to EV Fire Preparedness
Extinguishing an ICE car fire is often straightforward, using just a few litres of water as a mist. However, in recent years there has been a significant increase in vehicle fire-related products, particularly focused on tackling Electric Vehicle fires, with varying claims from manufacturers and differing experiences reported by users.
To support firefighters in familiarising themselves with new equipment and tactics for EV thermal events, we developed the EV Fire Simulator, enabling repeatable training with realistic fire and smoke effects.
Using the EV Fire Simulator Firefighters can familiarize themselves with new, emerging vehicle related response equipment and train effectively on evolving techniques and tactics, safety and with minimal environmental impact. (Photos: IFTC and Serco)
Training for the New Reality: EV Fire Simulator
The EV Fire Simulator, with EV features and components, uses remotely controlled inbuilt cosmetic ‘vapour’ generation and live, propane-fuelled flames. The Simulator enables varied training scenarios from ‘making safer’ using our IAIIM protocol (Identify, Assess, Immobilise, Isolate and Monitor) and casualty extrication, through numerous abnormal thermal events and fire scenarios including hybrid and full EV fires.
The realistic EV fire behaviour is based on our observations and learning from the numerous live EV burns that we have conducted during our internationally renowned Vehicle Fire Investigation courses. The Simulator presents the firefighters with a ‘different type of fire’ than they are used to with other car fire simulators, enabling them to train with hose attack, underchassis misting, containment misting, PPV usage, vehicle fire blanket application and even piercing.
Photos: SpiderFire and IFTC/ Serco
Innovative Solutions: Fixed Installations and EV FirePro
In addition to evolving response equipment, there have been highly effective developments in fixed installations. These new, innovative firefighting solutions play an important role in containing and mitigating vehicle fires even before firefighters arrive, particularly in parking structures and ships, as well as at charging hubs, car dealership forecourts, and even in private homes.
EV FirePro – the world’s first and only fixed fire suppression system for electric vehicles (Photos: EV FireProtection and Spiderfire)
A fantastic example is the EV FirePro from Australia – an “upside down sprinkler from down under”! Connected to a building’s existing domestic water supply, fire hydrant, or sprinkler system, EV FirePro detects a battery fire in a vehicle parked above the system, sends a signal to the building’s fire detection and alarm system, alerts the monitoring service or fire department, and automatically opens a valve to deliver water to the vehicle’s undercarriage and laterally around the vehicle. Installed in a parking bay, this targeted EV fire suppression system directs water precisely to the vehicle’s undercarriage to control heat release.
Additionally, EV FirePro provides lateral water spray coverage to protect adjacent vehicles and structural elements, reducing fire spread and helping prevent structural damage. By efficiently absorbing the heat generated by battery cells in thermal runaway, the water mist protects against heat damage, reduces heat flux on nearby materials, slows fire development and spread, and contributes to a safer overall environment.
Modern vehicle fires present new challenges and potential hazards. However, developing innovative products and equipment, alternative techniques, and evolving tactics all help ensure that firefighters worldwide can respond to these incidents safely and effectively.
#ResponderSafety
Martin Lown BEM
IAAI-CFI, MFireInv, MIAAI, GIFireE
- Senior Officer/Commander with 30 years of experience in the UK Fire Service
- Certified Fire Investigator
- Lead Tutor International Vehicle Fire Investigation and EV Responder courses
- Director Phoenix Forensic Service Provider Ltd & FireWiseUK Learning Academy
- Current: investigation of a major airport car park fire in the UK
The Operational Challenge of Modern Car Fires: A Fire Investigator’s Perspective