Table of Contents
Introduction
The recent surge in Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption has brought attention to the potential risks associated with EV battery fires. While EVs are not inherently more prone to fires than traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles1, extinguishing EV battery fires presents unique challenges. Firefighters often struggle to contain these fires due to the complexities of lithium-ion battery chemistry and the inadequacy of conventional firefighting methods. For instance, manufacturers estimate that up to 3,000 gallons of water may be required to establish cooling for the battery2.
Challenges of EV fires
Experts are divided on how best to tackle EV fires as a whole but, suppression of the fire is unsurprisingly the best course of action. However, firefighters have struggled to achieve effective suppression methods, opting for vast quantities of water to cool the battery pack (although this won’t prevent fire from erupting again), a fire blanket to suppress the flames and even breathing equipment for the firefighters to protect them from the toxic vapour cloud to tackle it face on. Either that or simply let the blaze burn itself out, which can be very costly if the fire is started in a multi-storey car park surrounded by hundreds of other valuable cars and assets.
Luton airport fire
We saw this recently at Luton airport, where a multi-storey car park was engulfed by flames, causing irreparable damage to 1,405 cars3 parked on various levels, resulting in an estimated £85 million of damage4. Not only this but the structural integrity of the car park was also damaged so badly that it has to be demolished and rebuilt, something which will take up to 16 weeks5. Now whilst this specific fire is reported to not have been started by an EV, it is reported that EVs caught fire and exacerbated the blaze6, making it increasingly hard for any suppression measures to be put in place to calm the fire and mitigate damages.
The role of Adexon Fire & Smoke Curtains
When it comes to the specific situation that we saw recently at the Luton airport multi-storey car park7, we at Adexon believe that our fire curtains can be strategically implemented in positions to mitigate the risks and damages posed by these fires. If our fire curtains are in place during a multi-storey car park fire, compartmentalisation of the car park as a result of one or several fire curtains, would reduce the spread of fire and toxic smoke, contain the damage to a specific area(s), and reduce the total costs.
Benefits of strategic deployment
In the simulated scenario below, our engineered fire curtains swiftly engage as temperatures rise and smoke emanates from an EV parked at a charging station. By enveloping the vehicle with 120EW classification fire curtains, two hours of protection against fire spread and radiant heat can be achieved, effectively compartmentalising the fire, and preventing further escalation. The benefit of the horizontal fire curtain over the top with a 120EW classification could mean the difference between the multi-story car park asset suffering irreparable structural damage or not. While installing individual fire curtains for every parking space may not be operationally feasible, strategic deployment near charging stations or egress routes can significantly enhance fire safety in critical areas.
Conclusion
Adexon Fire & Smoke Curtains offers an innovative solution to address the unique challenges posed by EV battery fires, not only in multi-storey car parks but also in various other settings. By strategically deploying fire curtains, businesses and property owners can bolster their fire safety measures, minimise property damage, and protect occupants in the event of a fire-related incident.
Visualise the Adexon Solution
Explore how Adexon Fire & Smoke Curtains can enhance fire safety in your multi-story car park. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions and schedule a consultation.
References
1 Fires in electric vehicles in 2022 (2023) MSB. Available at: https://www.msb.se/sv/aktuellt/nyheter/2023/maj/brander-i-eltransportmedel-under-2022/?ref=warpnews.org (Accessed: 05 March 2024)
2 Rapier, G. (2019) Tesla’s investigation confirms a model S that caught fire on video in Shanghai had a faulty battery module, Business Insider. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-battery-fire-shanghai-update-investigation-findings-2019-7?r=US&IR=T (Accessed: 05 January 2024).
3 Publisher (2023) Luton Airport Fire that damaged 1,500 cars started ‘due to vehicle fault’ – as man arrested, Sky News. Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/luton-airport-car-park-fire-due-to-vehicle-fault-as-man-arrested-12990789#:~:text=News%20%7C%20Sky%20News-,Luton%20Airport%20fire%20that%20damaged%201%2C500%20cars%20started%20’due%20to,due%20to%20a%20vehicle%20fault (Accessed: 17 April 2024).
4 What is the estimated cost of the damage caused by the fire at Luton Airport’s car park? (no date a) Quora. Available at: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-estimated-cost-of-the-damage-caused-by-the-fire-at-Luton-Airports-car-park (Accessed: 17 April 2024).
5 Issimdar, M. (2024) Dismantling of Luton Airport’s fire-hit car park starts, BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-67877365 (Accessed: 08 January 2024).
6 PARRY, R.L. (2023) Luton fire not caused by electric car, emergency services say, Fact Check. Available at: https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.33XY4Z9 (Accessed: 08 January 2024).
7 Issimdar, M. (2024) Dismantling of Luton Airport’s fire-hit car park starts, BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-67877365 (Accessed: 08 January 2024).