EV Seminar Recording available

The Insurance Council and the Association of Building Compliance are pleased to present: Protecting Buildings from the Risks of Car Park Fires.

This event examined international evidence on how electric vehicle (EV) fires inside car parks impact building structures and safe egress, and explored potential solutions to protect buildings, minimise damage, and keep people safe.

Why Watch?

This was a unique opportunity to view the engagement between the fire protection industry, insurers, insurance brokers, FENZ, property owners, councils and regulators on the risks of EV fires in car parking buildings and provided an opportunity to gain insights on improving safety and minimising building losses in New Zealand. 

Workshop Overview

Electric Vehicle Fires in enclosed spaces such as building car parks can generate significantly more heat than present fire protection systems were designed to cope with. Egress paths in these carparks may need to be better protected.

Recent overseas parking building EV fires incidence, have authorities in those countries looking for practical solutions. We think its time New Zealand starts to seriously look for practical solutions as well.   

Key Topics include:

-         Educating key stakeholders on evolving risks and current solutions

-         Understanding the Fire & Emergency response to an EV fire in an enclosed car park

-         Discussion on egress solutions to minimise personal harm

-         New technology to protect buildings from EV Fires

Our Speakers:

• Malcolm Christie (RYANFIRE Products) - Potential Impact of EV Fires on Structural Integrity
• Stephen Reeves, Senior Fire Engineer (Fire Emergency New Zealand Engineering Unit) – draft Designers’ Guide to Firefighting Operations for EV Charging within Buildings.
•  Ed Claridge, Fire Engineer (representing the Engineering New Zealand Working Group) - looking at developing future guidance on safety of EV in buildings 
• George Hare (BRANZ) who lead a trans-Tasman Lithium-Ion battery safety project.

Video Programme:

• Introduction by John Lucas, ICNZ
• Malcolm Christie, Ryanfire, Potential Impact of EV Fires on Structural Integrity
• George Hare, BRANZ, Australasian Fire Authorities Council research team on impact of EV fires in buildings
• Stephen Reeves, Senior Fire Engineer - Fire Emergency New Zealand Engineering Unit – draft Designers’ Guide to Firefighting Operations for EV Charging within Buildings
• Ed Claridge, Engineering NZ Working group spokesperson - Proposed guidance for EV cars in buildings
• Q&A session on and summary from John Lucas

Cost: Online access to pre-recorded video $30+GST

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