[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":774},["ShallowReactive",2],{"footer-contact":3,"blog-landing":10,"blog-posts":31},{"headline":4,"title":5,"image":6,"imageAlt":7,"content":8,"email":9},"Get in touch today","Get the conversation started","\u002Fcontact_banner.webp","Commercial fire suppression system protecting an industrial facility","Have a project or need expert advice on fire suppression? Fill out the form, and our team will respond promptly. We’ll help you design a solution that’s safe, efficient, and fully compliant with industry standards.","info@modularmisting.co.uk",{"id":11,"title":12,"body":13,"description":20,"extension":21,"headline":22,"meta":23,"navigation":24,"path":25,"seo":26,"seoDescription":24,"seoTitle":24,"stem":29,"__hash__":30},"blogLanding\u002Fblog.md","Blog",{"type":14,"value":15,"toc":16},"minimark",[],{"title":17,"searchDepth":18,"depth":18,"links":19},"",2,[],"Expert guidance on water mist fire suppression, compliance standards, and commercial fire safety.","md","Knowledge centre",{},null,"\u002Fblog",{"title":27,"description":28},"Fire Safety Blog & Industry Insights UK","Expert articles on water mist fire suppression, BS 8489 compliance, EV fire protection, and commercial fire safety from Modular Misting.","blog","GmqUciOmyCkv9uyA9DHJn5pHz0BEBAOuNR-8ymtpFYg",[32,354,653],{"id":33,"title":34,"author":35,"body":36,"date":343,"description":344,"draft":345,"extension":21,"image":346,"imageAlt":347,"meta":348,"navigation":24,"path":349,"seo":350,"seoDescription":24,"seoTitle":24,"sitemap":351,"stem":352,"updated":24,"__hash__":353},"blog\u002Fblog\u002Fcommercial-sauna-fire-suppression-systems.md","High Heat, Hidden Hazards: Designing Fire Suppression Systems for Commercial Saunas","Modular Misting Team",{"type":14,"value":37,"toc":324},[38,42,45,50,55,63,66,70,77,81,88,91,95,102,105,109,120,123,157,160,164,167,171,174,178,192,196,207,211,221,225,228,260,263,267,270,302,306,309,312],[39,40,41],"p",{},"Commercial saunas are widely recognised as a relatively high fire-risk feature in leisure buildings. Timber construction, combustible linings, substantial electrical loads, and the potential for objects placed on heaters all contribute. Full-scale insurer testing has shown how quickly conditions can escalate once ignition occurs. For hotel owners, gym and spa managers, health club operators, and architects, the sauna should be treated as a distinct hazard within the wider fire strategy, not as a standard wet room with a heater attached.",[39,43,44],{},"The appropriate response is not to rule out water-based suppression, but to match system type, head rating, compartmentation, and maintenance to the risk profile identified in a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.",[46,47,49],"h2",{"id":48},"the-risk-profile-of-commercial-saunas","The risk profile of commercial saunas",[51,52,54],"h3",{"id":53},"unattended-high-kilowatt-heat-sources","Unattended high-kilowatt heat sources",[39,56,57,58,62],{},"Commercial electric sauna heaters typically run between ",[59,60,61],"strong",{},"6 kW and 12 kW",", with some large cabin installations exceeding 15 kW. Wood-burning sauna stoves in hospitality settings add open-flame risk, hot ash management, and flue integrity as further failure modes.",[39,64,65],{},"These heat sources operate at surface temperatures well above the ignition point of surrounding materials if clearances are compromised or ventilation fails.",[51,67,69],{"id":68},"dry-timber-lining-as-ready-fuel","Dry timber lining as ready fuel",[39,71,72,73,76],{},"Sauna interiors are lined with kiln-dried timber, often cedar, hemlock, or aspen, chosen for its low moisture content and thermal properties. That same low moisture content makes the lining ",[59,74,75],{},"highly combustible"," once ignition occurs. A smouldering fault behind a panel can spread through the cladding before it becomes visible in the cabin.",[51,78,80],{"id":79},"hidden-voids-behind-wood-panelling","Hidden voids behind wood panelling",[39,82,83,84,87],{},"Electrical heater connections, control wiring, and detection routes typically run in the cavity between the timber cladding and the structural wall. ",[59,85,86],{},"Electrical faults in these concealed spaces can smoulder undetected"," for extended periods, building pyrolysis gases until ventilation changes or structural movement triggers open flame.",[39,89,90],{},"This concealed ignition pathway helps explain why sauna fires often present as sudden, fully involved events rather than gradual smoke-generating incidents. Good housekeeping, heater clearance discipline, and regular electrical inspection are as important as suppression hardware.",[46,92,94],{"id":93},"compartmentation-and-enclosure","Compartmentation and enclosure",[39,96,97,98,101],{},"Insurer and industry guidance consistently recommends that the sauna sits within ",[59,99,100],{},"fire-resisting construction providing at least 60 minutes fire resistance"," (integrity and insulation), both horizontally and vertically. Openings and penetrations through that compartment should be protected appropriately.",[39,103,104],{},"Compartmentation limits fire spread to the rest of the building while automatic detection, alarm, and suppression systems are given time to operate. It should be confirmed at design stage alongside ventilation routes, particularly where extract ductwork passes through fire-resisting boundaries.",[46,106,108],{"id":107},"sprinkler-protection-adaptation-not-exclusion","Sprinkler protection: adaptation, not exclusion",[39,110,111,112,115,116,119],{},"Existing automatic sprinkler systems can often be ",[59,113,114],{},"extended to protect saunas",", provided the design is adapted for the environment. Insurer guidance commonly specifies ",[59,117,118],{},"141 °C rated sprinkler heads"," in place of standard 68 °C quick-response heads, with head selection and placement confirmed by a competent sprinkler designer against cabin operating temperatures and thermal stratification.",[39,121,122],{},"Where sprinklers are used, the following design factors should be reviewed:",[124,125,126,133,139,145,151],"ul",{},[127,128,129,132],"li",{},[59,130,131],{},"Head temperature rating"," matched to normal sauna operating conditions to limit spurious activation",[127,134,135,138],{},[59,136,137],{},"Thermal stratification"," in sauna interiors, where ceiling-level temperatures differ significantly from bench height",[127,140,141,144],{},[59,142,143],{},"Steam and scald risk"," if discharge occurs while the cabin is occupied",[127,146,147,150],{},[59,148,149],{},"Thermal shock and water damage"," to stones, linings, and adjacent spa finishes if activation logic is not considered",[127,152,153,156],{},[59,154,155],{},"Heat migration"," from the sauna cavity into adjacent wet-pipe zones, which can cause unwanted discharge outside the sauna",[39,158,159],{},"These are engineering considerations to resolve at specification stage. They do not mean sprinklers are unsuitable; they mean generic occupancy assumptions should not be applied without review.",[46,161,163],{"id":162},"other-suppression-and-detection-options","Other suppression and detection options",[39,165,166],{},"The right solution depends on the building, insurer requirements, and the fire risk assessment. Common approaches include:",[51,168,170],{"id":169},"high-temperature-sprinkler-extension","High-temperature sprinkler extension",[39,172,173],{},"Extending the building sprinkler system into the sauna with correctly rated heads is a well-supported route where sprinklers are already specified or required for the wider premises.",[51,175,177],{"id":176},"water-mist-systems","Water mist systems",[39,179,180,183,184,187,188,191],{},[59,181,182],{},"Water mist"," systems designed to ",[59,185,186],{},"BS 8489"," and ",[59,189,190],{},"BS EN 14972"," can be appropriate where a risk assessment and insurer review support them. Fine-droplet discharge can provide rapid cooling with lower water volumes than conventional sprinkler flow in some layouts, which may reduce collateral damage in spa environments. Suitability depends on compartment geometry, ventilation, and test evidence for the specific application.",[51,193,195],{"id":194},"pre-action-or-dry-pipe-logic","Pre-action or dry-pipe logic",[39,197,198,199,202,203,206],{},"A ",[59,200,201],{},"pre-action system"," admits water only after a confirmed detection signal, which can reduce accidental discharge risk in high-value adjacent areas. This is a ",[59,204,205],{},"conditional design choice",", not a universal sauna standard. It may be worth considering where water damage to neighbouring revenue spaces is a primary concern and where the fire risk assessment supports dual-confirmation activation.",[51,208,210],{"id":209},"linear-heat-detection-in-concealed-voids","Linear heat detection in concealed voids",[39,212,213,216,217,220],{},[59,214,215],{},"Linear heat detection cables"," behind timber panelling can give early warning of smouldering faults in cavities that are difficult to inspect visually. They are a ",[59,218,219],{},"useful optional enhancement"," where concealed electrical routes or wood-burning flue paths create additional risk, particularly when linked to alarm or pre-action logic. They are not a substitute for compartmentation, maintenance, or an agreed suppression strategy.",[46,222,224],{"id":223},"compliance-and-commercial-leisure-safety-standards","Compliance and commercial leisure safety standards",[39,226,227],{},"Commercial saunas in the UK sit within several regulatory and best-practice frameworks. Requirements differ between England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland; the points below are a summary, not a compliance checklist.",[124,229,230,236,242,248,254],{},[127,231,232,235],{},[59,233,234],{},"Building Regulations (Approved Document B in England, or equivalent devolved guidance)"," — functional requirements for fire safety in commercial leisure premises",[127,237,238,241],{},[59,239,240],{},"BS 9999"," — code of practice for fire safety in the design, management, and use of non-residential buildings; a risk-based framework, not a substitute for statutory compliance",[127,243,244,247],{},[59,245,246],{},"BS EN 12845"," — where automatic sprinkler systems are specified, including head temperature ratings and design density for the occupancy",[127,249,250,253],{},[59,251,252],{},"The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England and Wales)"," — duties of the responsible person for fire risk assessment, including sauna equipment maintenance and emergency procedures; Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate fire safety legislation",[127,255,256,259],{},[59,257,258],{},"Insurer and operator standards"," — guidance such as RC50 (fire safety in the construction and use of saunas) and insurer technical bulletins increasingly require a documented sauna fire strategy",[39,261,262],{},"A documented fire risk assessment for the sauna should address heater maintenance schedules, timber lining condition, electrical inspection intervals, housekeeping rules, and staff emergency procedures, including evacuation of adjacent spa areas.",[46,264,266],{"id":265},"design-checklist-for-architects-and-operators","Design checklist for architects and operators",[39,268,269],{},"Before specifying or operating a commercial sauna, confirm the following with your fire engineer and insurer:",[124,271,272,275,278,281,284,287,290,293,296,299],{},[127,273,274],{},"The sauna is enclosed in fire-resisting construction providing at least 60 minutes fire resistance, unless an alternative strategy is agreed and documented",[127,276,277],{},"The fire strategy treats the sauna as a distinct hazard, separate from standard wet leisure areas",[127,279,280],{},"Suppression type (sprinkler extension, water mist, or other) is selected on the basis of the fire risk assessment and insurer requirements",[127,282,283],{},"Sprinkler heads, where used, are rated for sauna operating temperatures (141 °C heads are commonly specified)",[127,285,286],{},"Concealed voids are considered for optional linear heat detection where the risk assessment warrants it",[127,288,289],{},"Heater electrical connections are accessible for periodic inspection",[127,291,292],{},"A high-temperature limit switch or equivalent safeguard isolates the heater if thermostats fail",[127,294,295],{},"Ventilation failure scenarios are considered in the fire risk assessment",[127,297,298],{},"Staff are trained on sauna-specific emergency procedures, including steam scald awareness",[127,300,301],{},"Maintenance records for heater elements, wiring, and detection systems are current and auditable",[46,303,305],{"id":304},"protecting-guests-staff-and-your-operation","Protecting guests, staff, and your operation",[39,307,308],{},"Sauna fires in commercial settings can cause disproportionate business interruption: spa closure, reputational damage, insurance claims, and regulatory investigation. The cost of proportionate compartmentation, suppression, and maintenance is typically modest compared with the operational exposure of an inadequately considered fire strategy.",[310,311],"hr",{},[39,313,314,317,318,323],{},[59,315,316],{},"Designing or upgrading a commercial sauna?"," Our specialist engineering team advises on sprinkler adaptation, water mist, pre-action logic, and detection options for hotels, gyms, spas, and leisure complexes across the UK. ",[319,320,322],"a",{"href":321},"\u002F#contact","Contact us"," to arrange a site risk assessment with our fire suppression engineers.",{"title":17,"searchDepth":18,"depth":18,"links":325},[326,332,333,334,340,341,342],{"id":48,"depth":18,"text":49,"children":327},[328,330,331],{"id":53,"depth":329,"text":54},3,{"id":68,"depth":329,"text":69},{"id":79,"depth":329,"text":80},{"id":93,"depth":18,"text":94},{"id":107,"depth":18,"text":108},{"id":162,"depth":18,"text":163,"children":335},[336,337,338,339],{"id":169,"depth":329,"text":170},{"id":176,"depth":329,"text":177},{"id":194,"depth":329,"text":195},{"id":209,"depth":329,"text":210},{"id":223,"depth":18,"text":224},{"id":265,"depth":18,"text":266},{"id":304,"depth":18,"text":305},"2026-06-02","Commercial saunas combine extreme heat, combustible linings, and concealed electrical faults. Appropriate compartmentation, maintenance, and suppression design should follow fire risk assessment and insurer guidance.",false,"\u002Fimages\u002Fsauna-fire-protection.webp","Commercial sauna fire suppression and heat detection system in a hotel spa facility",{},"\u002Fblog\u002Fcommercial-sauna-fire-suppression-systems",{"title":34,"description":344},{"loc":349},"blog\u002Fcommercial-sauna-fire-suppression-systems","k4-psBFq-CBAmjivfBmyh2dbhxPcrDyhltuzSjHx8kU",{"id":355,"title":356,"author":35,"body":357,"date":643,"description":644,"draft":345,"extension":21,"image":645,"imageAlt":646,"meta":647,"navigation":24,"path":648,"seo":649,"seoDescription":24,"seoTitle":24,"sitemap":650,"stem":651,"updated":24,"__hash__":652},"blog\u002Fblog\u002Ffire-suppression-underground-car-parks-ev-charging.md","Securing the Future: Fire Suppression for Underground Car Parks and EV Charging Hubs",{"type":14,"value":358,"toc":627},[359,362,365,369,376,380,387,391,402,406,413,417,420,424,431,434,460,463,467,474,478,481,487,498,501,505,511,518,521,547,555,559,570,577,581,584,590,596,599,603,613,616,618],[39,360,361],{},"Underground and multi-storey car parks have always been demanding fire environments. Low ceilings, limited ventilation, constrained access, and the structural load of the building above compound the hazard. High-capacity EV charging infrastructure and commercial fleet fast-charging hubs add a further layer of complexity that generic building assumptions may not fully address.",[39,363,364],{},"For property developers, commercial landlords, parking operators, and logistics fleet managers, a credible fire strategy is increasingly expected by insurers, tenants, and reviewing authorities. It should be proportionate to the risk, documented, and kept under review.",[46,366,368],{"id":367},"why-ev-fires-change-the-underground-parking-hazard","Why EV fires change the underground parking hazard",[39,370,371,372,375],{},"An EV battery fire in an enclosed car park remains one of the more severe scenarios a building operator can face. England's ",[59,373,374],{},"interim government guidance on covered car parks and electric vehicles"," (which applies to new and existing covered car parks in England) identifies specific fire safety considerations for EVs and chargepoints. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own regulatory frameworks; the principles below reflect common UK fire engineering practice but should be confirmed against local requirements.",[51,377,379],{"id":378},"severe-heat-in-confined-geometry","Severe heat in confined geometry",[39,381,382,383,386],{},"Lithium-ion thermal runaway produces ",[59,384,385],{},"intense, sustained heat"," that can accelerate fire spread to adjacent vehicles and structural elements. In a low-ceiling underground environment, heat reflects off concrete soffits and deck surfaces, and radiant heat transfer in enclosed parking is typically more aggressive than in open-air lots.",[51,388,390],{"id":389},"toxic-smoke-reignition-and-venting","Toxic smoke, reignition, and venting",[39,392,393,394,397,398,401],{},"Battery fires release a complex mix of gases, including ",[59,395,396],{},"hydrogen fluoride (HF), carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds",", which can accumulate in poorly ventilated below-ground spaces. Official summaries of the interim guidance also highlight ",[59,399,400],{},"reignition risk, compressed gas venting, toxic smoke, and difficult firefighting conditions"," in covered car parks. Ventilation and smoke management should be reviewed for the specific layout rather than assumed adequate from a generic design.",[51,403,405],{"id":404},"fire-service-access-limitations","Fire service access limitations",[39,407,408,409,412],{},"Many underground car parks have restricted entry dimensions, ramp gradients, and turning circles that prevent standard fire appliances from reaching the seat of a fire. ",[59,410,411],{},"Fire crews may need to operate from the entrance",", some distance from the incident, extending response times while conditions develop.",[51,414,416],{"id":415},"structural-integrity-under-sustained-load","Structural integrity under sustained load",[39,418,419],{},"Prolonged high-temperature exposure to post-tensioned concrete decks, steel reinforcement, and waterproofing membranes can affect structural performance. An EV fire that burns for hours, which is common in runaway events, can pose a threat to the building above as well as to the vehicles involved. Longer fire resistance periods for structural elements are among the mitigation measures the interim guidance invites designers to consider.",[46,421,423],{"id":422},"fleet-depots-and-ev-charging-hubs","Fleet depots and EV charging hubs",[39,425,426,427,430],{},"Commercial fleet electrification concentrates risk. Unlike public car parks where a single EV among many ICE vehicles might be present, ",[59,428,429],{},"fleet depots and dedicated charging hubs often run high thermal loads continuously",".",[39,432,433],{},"Typical considerations include:",[124,435,436,442,448,454],{},[127,437,438,441],{},[59,439,440],{},"Multiple fast chargers operating simultaneously"," — from 50 kW to 350 kW per unit, generating sustained heat in cable runs, connector housings, and adjacent vehicle battery packs",[127,443,444,447],{},[59,445,446],{},"Scheduled overnight charging"," — vehicles often unattended during peak charging windows, reducing the opportunity for early human intervention",[127,449,450,453],{},[59,451,452],{},"High vehicle density"," — commercial fleets parked with minimal separation, enabling rapid fire propagation",[127,455,456,459],{},[59,457,458],{},"Mixed asset classes"," — vans, HGVs, and passenger EVs with different battery chemistries, pack sizes, and failure modes in the same facility",[39,461,462],{},"A single runaway event in a fleet charging hub can escalate to a multi-vehicle incident if detection, suppression, and isolation are not planned and tested as part of the fire strategy.",[46,464,466],{"id":465},"a-risk-based-protection-strategy","A risk-based protection strategy",[39,468,469,470,473],{},"The interim guidance does not prescribe one universal system. It frames covered car parks as needing a ",[59,471,472],{},"risk-based strategy"," that may include suppression, early detection and alarms, structural fire resistance, vehicle spacing, firefighting water supplies, runoff containment, chargepoint location, smoke management, and thermal imaging. The measures below are design options to evaluate in fire risk assessment and fire engineering review, not mandatory requirements for every site.",[51,475,477],{"id":476},"early-detection-and-alarms","Early detection and alarms",[39,479,480],{},"Early warning gives staff and fire services more time to isolate hazards and protect adjacent assets. Conventional detection may be supplemented where the risk assessment supports it.",[39,482,483,486],{},[59,484,485],{},"Off-gas detection"," is a specialist approach in which sensors aim to identify electrolyte vapours and early decomposition products before visible fire or smoke. Where specified and maintained correctly, off-gas systems can potentially:",[124,488,489,492,495],{},[127,490,491],{},"Support isolation of an affected charging circuit",[127,493,494],{},"Trigger localised suppression or enhanced ventilation in a defined zone",[127,496,497],{},"Alert on-site security and fire services with location data",[39,499,500],{},"This remains an emerging design option rather than a universally established standard. Sensor selection, placement, integration with the building management system (BMS), and maintenance should follow manufacturer guidance and be agreed with the fire engineer and insurer.",[51,502,504],{"id":503},"suppression-sprinklers-and-supplementary-systems","Suppression: sprinklers and supplementary systems",[39,506,507,510],{},[59,508,509],{},"Automatic sprinklers"," are among the mitigation measures identified in summaries of the interim guidance, alongside early detection and longer fire resistance periods. For many covered car parks, extending or providing sprinkler protection remains a proportionate baseline for structure and occupancy.",[39,512,513,514,517],{},"Where the fire risk assessment identifies concentrated EV charging risk, ",[59,515,516],{},"supplementary localised suppression"," — such as deluge or high-pressure water mist scoped to individual bays or charging zones — may be worth considering to apply targeted cooling at the hazard. This is a risk-based addition, not a blanket replacement for sprinklers.",[39,519,520],{},"Design considerations for any supplementary system include:",[124,522,523,529,535,541],{},[127,524,525,528],{},[59,526,527],{},"Per-bay or per-charger coverage"," mapped to vehicle dimensions and charger placement",[127,530,531,534],{},[59,532,533],{},"Activation logic"," linked to detection appropriate to the design (thermal, multi-criteria, or off-gas where specified)",[127,536,537,540],{},[59,538,539],{},"Water mist or deluge selection"," based on compartment height, ventilation, and water supply capacity",[127,542,543,546],{},[59,544,545],{},"Post-discharge monitoring"," to manage re-ignition risk during the extended cooling phase",[39,548,549,550,187,552,554],{},"Water mist systems for buildings are covered by standards including ",[59,551,186],{},[59,553,190],{},". They are one valid protection route where test evidence, insurer review, and the fire strategy support their use. System design, testing, and maintenance should be carried out by competent specialists.",[51,556,558],{"id":557},"fire-blankets","Fire blankets",[39,560,561,562,565,566,569],{},"Heavy-duty ",[59,563,564],{},"fire blankets"," are used tactically by some UK fire and rescue services in specific circumstances. They are ",[59,567,568],{},"not"," a primary building control measure and do not extinguish thermal runaway.",[39,571,572,573,576],{},"Blankets should not be positioned in guidance as a standard expectation for untrained on-site staff. Where they exist on a site, deployment is normally a ",[59,574,575],{},"fire service decision",", supported by gas monitoring and thermal imaging, with attention to continued off-gassing and vapour cloud risk if misapplied. Any on-site provision requires a written procedure agreed with attending crews, not ad hoc use by parking staff.",[46,578,580],{"id":579},"designing-protection-for-new-and-retrofit-projects","Designing protection for new and retrofit projects",[39,582,583],{},"Whether you are specifying fire strategy for a new-build underground car park or upgrading an existing facility for EV charging, early engagement with a fire engineering specialist pays off.",[39,585,586,589],{},[59,587,588],{},"New-build projects"," can integrate detection and BMS logic at design stage, size water supplies and risers for sustained cooling demand, coordinate ventilation with alarm sequences, and model EV scenarios in the fire strategy report.",[39,591,592,595],{},[59,593,594],{},"Retrofit projects"," often face constraints: sensor placement may be limited by existing cable routes; supplementary tanks or pumps may be needed; ventilation sequencing may require reprogramming; and operational plans must be updated to reflect what the building can realistically deliver.",[39,597,598],{},"Aligning the strategy with insurer expectations and the reviewing authority before charging infrastructure is installed reduces costly rework later.",[46,600,602],{"id":601},"compliance-and-commercial-responsibility","Compliance and commercial responsibility",[39,604,605,606,608,609,612],{},"Building Regulations (Approved Document B in England, or equivalent devolved guidance), ",[59,607,240],{},", insurer requirements, and ",[59,610,611],{},"interim government guidance on EV risks in covered car parks (England)"," provide a framework for design. That guidance is explicitly interim and risk-based; it should not be read as a finished national code.",[39,614,615],{},"Commercial landlords and parking operators owe a duty of care to tenants, users, and adjacent occupiers. Documented fire risk assessment, tested alarm-to-response sequences, and staff emergency procedures are increasingly required by insurers and major commercial tenants as a condition of lease or occupancy.",[310,617],{},[39,619,620,623,624,626],{},[59,621,622],{},"Protecting your car park or charging hub starts with a site-specific assessment."," Our specialist engineering team advises on detection, sprinkler strategy, water mist, deluge, and operational planning for underground car parks, multi-storey parking, and commercial EV charging facilities. ",[319,625,322],{"href":321}," to discuss your project and arrange a bespoke risk assessment.",{"title":17,"searchDepth":18,"depth":18,"links":628},[629,635,636,641,642],{"id":367,"depth":18,"text":368,"children":630},[631,632,633,634],{"id":378,"depth":329,"text":379},{"id":389,"depth":329,"text":390},{"id":404,"depth":329,"text":405},{"id":415,"depth":329,"text":416},{"id":422,"depth":18,"text":423},{"id":465,"depth":18,"text":466,"children":637},[638,639,640],{"id":476,"depth":329,"text":477},{"id":503,"depth":329,"text":504},{"id":557,"depth":329,"text":558},{"id":579,"depth":18,"text":580},{"id":601,"depth":18,"text":602},"2026-05-08","Covered and underground car parks with EV charging need a risk-based fire strategy. England's interim government guidance points to early detection, suppression, ventilation, and structural resilience as matters to address in fire risk assessment.","\u002Fimages\u002Fev-fire-protection.webp","Fire suppression planning for an underground commercial car park and EV charging hub",{},"\u002Fblog\u002Ffire-suppression-underground-car-parks-ev-charging",{"title":356,"description":644},{"loc":648},"blog\u002Ffire-suppression-underground-car-parks-ev-charging","Lgg8s5vZD_KKtTAHPYI0F4aSfn_qteClSGlKmk1lf-s",{"id":654,"title":655,"author":35,"body":656,"date":764,"description":765,"draft":345,"extension":21,"image":766,"imageAlt":767,"meta":768,"navigation":24,"path":769,"seo":770,"seoDescription":24,"seoTitle":24,"sitemap":771,"stem":772,"updated":24,"__hash__":773},"blog\u002Fblog\u002Ftraditional-sprinklers-ev-fires.md","Why Traditional Sprinklers Are Not Enough in EV Fires",{"type":14,"value":657,"toc":757},[658,661,664,668,671,674,678,681,684,688,691,714,717,721,724,747,751,754],[39,659,660],{},"Electric vehicles have changed the fire risk profile in car parks, fleet depots, and charging hubs. While they do not create a unique risk in every setting, they do require fire strategies that reflect how lithium-ion battery fires behave.",[39,662,663],{},"The main challenge is thermal runaway. Once a battery enters this state, the fire can continue inside the battery pack even if flames outside the vehicle appear to be under control. That makes EV incidents very different from conventional vehicle fires, and it means a standard sprinkler-only approach may not be enough.",[46,665,667],{"id":666},"what-thermal-runaway-means","What thermal runaway means",[39,669,670],{},"Thermal runaway is a self-sustaining reaction inside a lithium-ion battery cell. It can be triggered by damage, internal defects, overcharging, or prolonged exposure to heat.",[39,672,673],{},"Once it begins, the battery can generate intense heat, vent flammable gases, and reignite after the first signs of suppression. That is why EV fires often need a response that goes beyond ordinary fire spread control.",[46,675,677],{"id":676},"where-sprinklers-help-and-where-they-do-not","Where sprinklers help, and where they do not",[39,679,680],{},"Traditional sprinklers still have an important role. They can help slow fire spread, protect the building structure, and improve conditions for firefighters.",[39,682,683],{},"What they generally cannot do on their own is stop thermal runaway inside the battery pack. For that reason, sprinklers should be seen as one part of a wider fire strategy, not the complete solution.",[46,685,687],{"id":686},"what-a-stronger-ev-fire-strategy-includes","What a stronger EV fire strategy includes",[39,689,690],{},"A practical EV fire strategy usually combines several measures:",[124,692,693,696,699,702,705,708,711],{},[127,694,695],{},"Early detection linked to the building management system",[127,697,698],{},"Smoke control and ventilation designed for enclosed spaces",[127,700,701],{},"Water supply planning for prolonged cooling",[127,703,704],{},"Localised suppression for defined charging or parking zones",[127,706,707],{},"Fire-resistant compartmentation and sensible vehicle spacing",[127,709,710],{},"Re-ignition monitoring after the incident",[127,712,713],{},"Runoff containment and environmental protection",[39,715,716],{},"In some settings, high-pressure water mist or deluge systems may be suitable. The right choice depends on the site, the layout, and the level of risk. There is no single system that suits every car park or charging hub.",[46,718,720],{"id":719},"what-operators-should-review","What operators should review",[39,722,723],{},"Before deciding on a system, operators should consider:",[124,725,726,729,732,735,738,741,744],{},[127,727,728],{},"The number of EVs and the charging pattern",[127,730,731],{},"Whether the site is underground or enclosed",[127,733,734],{},"Ceiling height, ventilation, and bay spacing",[127,736,737],{},"Water pressure, tank size, and refill capacity",[127,739,740],{},"Drainage and contaminated runoff management",[127,742,743],{},"Maintenance and inspection procedures",[127,745,746],{},"How staff will respond if a fire starts",[46,748,750],{"id":749},"the-takeaway","The takeaway",[39,752,753],{},"EV fires are not the same as conventional vehicle fires, so they should not be managed with a one-size-fits-all approach. Traditional sprinklers still play an important role, but they are usually not enough on their own to deal with battery thermal runaway.",[39,755,756],{},"A stronger strategy combines detection, suppression, ventilation, water planning, and operational procedures tailored to the site.",{"title":17,"searchDepth":18,"depth":18,"links":758},[759,760,761,762,763],{"id":666,"depth":18,"text":667},{"id":676,"depth":18,"text":677},{"id":686,"depth":18,"text":687},{"id":719,"depth":18,"text":720},{"id":749,"depth":18,"text":750},"2026-04-15","EV battery fires behave differently from conventional vehicle fires. Discover why sprinklers alone are not enough, and what a stronger fire strategy should include.","\u002Fimages\u002Fev-battery-fire-protection.webp","High-pressure water mist system protecting a commercial vehicle facility",{},"\u002Fblog\u002Ftraditional-sprinklers-ev-fires",{"title":655,"description":765},{"loc":769},"blog\u002Ftraditional-sprinklers-ev-fires","-OvGlLoS6jct08LpK4wN-5omn8yAjsjcXpAsvlJlTEY",1781026354292]