The fact that in many buildings there is no fire break out for decades does not prove that there is no danger, but rather represents a stroke of luck for those affected, the end of which must be expected at any time!
Judgment of the Münster Higher Administrative Court

The same is true for a car fire!

Car fire leading to direct threat of inhabitants in the building. Here it was daytime with no casualty but imagine night time: people sleeping and the first and second escape route are towards the burning cars… (picture source)

Problem

While a single car fire may be considered an acceptable risk as long as there is no threat of fire spreading, the spread of a car fire can pose a serious danger to nearby vehicles, parking structures, buildings, and flammable landscapes. Preventing such spread is crucial to avoiding larger-scale disasters.

The largest fire in Hamburg after the WW2 was caused by a burning car!

Building collapses due to car fires

LIverpool car park fire with 1300 burned cars

Luton car park fire with 1500 burned cars

https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240812050600

Ein Brand in einem Apartmentkomplex bei Incheon treibt die südkoreanischen Aufsichtsbehörden derzeit um. 200 Familien mussten Anfang des Monats evakuiert werden, weil ein Mercedes EQE in der Tiefgarage des Wohngebäudes in Brand geraten war. Es dauerte acht Stunden, den Brand zu löschen. 140 Autos wurden durch das Feuer zerstört oder beschädigt.

Nach Angaben der heimischen Feuerwehr- und Katastrophenschutzbehörde hat es in Südkorea zwischen 2013 und 2022 knapp 1400 Brände in unterirdischen Parkhäusern gegeben. Davon werden 43,7 Prozent Fahrzeugen zugeschrieben, wie aus einem Bericht von Februar hervorgeht.

https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/nach-fahrzeugbrand-mercedes-muss-batterielieferanten-offenlegen/100059513.html

Here is the translation into English:

A fire in an apartment complex near Incheon is currently concerning South Korean authorities. Earlier this month, 200 families had to be evacuated after a Mercedes EQE caught fire in the underground parking garage of the residential building. It took eight hours to extinguish the fire, and 140 cars were destroyed or damaged in the blaze.

According to the local Fire and Disaster Management Agency, there have been nearly 1,400 fires in underground parking garages in South Korea between 2013 and 2022. Of these, 43.7 percent were attributed to vehicles, according to a report from February.

Threat for firefighters

Due to the high fire load of a car and the great risk of a fire spread plus the heat and smoke accumulation in an enclosed car park, those fires are nothing that can and shall be fought by firefighters – risking their lives in order trying to extinguish burning cars. If firefighters are meant to fight enclosed car park fires, the enclosed car park must have a effective proved watermist or sprinkler system and smoke evacuation. Test have shown that some (most?) smoke evacuation systems (and sprinkler systems?) do not work efficiently.

During the fighting of a car park fire 2 firefighters got injured, one serious. 20 people in the building above had to be rescued. 14 diesel or petrol cars did burn. Due to the heat in the car park, the concrete structure was damaged and the building is uninhabitable due to the risk of collapse and the people had to find a place to live.

Einsturzgefahr! Feuerwehr muss ausgebrannte Tiefgarage stabilisieren

https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/82522/5750017

Safety Action Plan for the safety from vehicle fires

1 Prevention

more electric cars, rather than fossil fuel internal combustion engine (ICE) cars as they burn less likely than ICE cars as actual research indicates
non-toxic, non-flammable refrigerant, instead of Honeywell’s flammable and highly corrosive R-1234yf

1.1 open car parks

Car parks in fire endangered environments like woods, grasslands, moors, etc. shall only be permissible, if the local authorities approved no fire spread risk.

To avoid fast fire spread towards buildings motorized vehicles close to buildings must park at least 5 m away, or the vehicle facing wall must be fire resistant, including potential windows, at least in REI 30 with a non flammable facade according EN 13501 at a height of at least 5 m. In any case cars must not be parked closer than 5 m to any door to keep that door as an emergency exit in case of a car fire as free as possible.

1.2 enclosed car park requirements

No additional fire load in car parks like fuel canisters, tires, …
Parking spaces and garages and neighboring rooms are not allowed to be used as a place to store dangerous goods of any class. Flammable fuels and gases are only allowed to be stored in the internal tank of the vehicle. The maximum amount of flammable fuel in the vehicle tank(s) is 75 l for cars.
Supply lines of dangerous goods are not allowed in garages.

In a garage only the electricity that is needed for the use of the garage is allowed. The installation needs to be according to VDE?. EV charging, what recommendations can be made?

2 Resilience

Building structure

garages must be divided into fire compartments by fire walls in REI 90 W up to a maximum of 2,500 m²
structure in REI 90

Potential elevators must not be connected with a garage. Staircases which do also connect other parts of the building besides the garage must have a safety floor between the garage and the staircase.

escape routes

Every medium-sized and large garage must have at least two independent structural escape routes in each story and fire compartment that lead directly or via necessary stairwells to the outside. A safe 1. and 2. escape route max. 30 m to a safe exit or staircase

In garages above ground, one escape route is sufficient if an exit to the outside can be reached at a maximum distance of 10 m.

It is permissible to route one of the second escape route via a neighbouring fire compartment of the same garage. The second escape route may also lead via a ramp. Stairwells for necessary staircases are not required for above-ground garages whose parking spaces are on average no more than 3 m above ground level.

There must be at least one necessary stairwell or, if a stairwell is not required, at least one necessary staircase or exit to the outside from each point of a medium-sized and large garage on the same floor at a maximum distance of 30 m be accessible. The distance is to be measured in the walking line.

In case of a blocked carriageway a footpath at least 0.90 m wide is required next to the carriageways so that people can escape in case of an emergency. The sidewalk must be raised above the roadway or demarcated in a traffic-safe manner.

In closed large garages, safety lighting of at least 1 lux at floor level must be provided to illuminate the escape routes during operating hours and at a power shortfall.

There must be permanent and easily recognizable signs according to ISO 7010 connected to the emergency lighting indicating the exits and the routes leading to the necessary stairs or to the exits to the outside. All escape routes must be marked continuous on ground-level according to ISO 24409.

These Paragraphs do not apply to automatic garages if people do not enter the garage.

Fire suppression

Garages must have an automated fire suppression system, whether a sprinkler system according EN 12845 hazard category of OH2 or a water mist system according VdS 3883-4 (and in the future European standard, EN 14972-5). For all types of garages where these standards can’t be applied a safety plan must be established, which approves an appropriate fire suppression.

CO and smoke exhaust systems

Garages must have mechanical exhaust air systems and supply air openings that are large enough and distributed in such a way that all parts of the garage are sufficiently ventilated. If there are insufficient supply air openings, a mechanical supply air system must be provided. The smoke exhaust systems must be dimensioned and operated for every day use in such a way that the CO value does not exceed 4 ppm during 24 h in combination with a CO systems for measuring and warning. The CO warning systems must be designed in such a way that, if the CO content of the air exceeds 100 ppm users are prompted via loudspeakers to switch off their engines while stationary. When the CO level exceeds 250 ppm users are prompted via loudspeakers and green flashing lights over each emergency exit to leave the garage quickly. The CO warning systems must be connected to a backup power source.

Mechanical exhaust air systems must have at least two fans of the same size in each ventilation system, which together provide the required total volume flow when operating simultaneously. Each fan in a mechanical supply or exhaust air system must be supplied from a separate circuit to which other electrical systems cannot be connected. If the ventilation system is to be operated temporarily with only one fan, the fans must be switched in such a way that the other fan switches on automatically if one fan fails.

In case of a fire the smoke exhaust system must switch from normal mode into the smoke exhaust mode in order to clear emergency escape routes and make fire fighting possible.

3 Intervention

Motorized vehicles must not park in spaces for emergency incidents.

As long as a car is not fully under fire, the firefighters must be able to scan a QR code, which needs to be on the front left and rear right side of the vehicles screens, in order to obtain data on potential threats of that specific car.

Vehicles with refrigerant R1234yf must be signed with dangerous good signs (corrosive and toxic). The Safety & Health Service (SHS) authorities must give clear standard operational procedures (SOP) on how to handle car fires with the release of fluoric acid released from R1234yf (Note: chemical suits used by fire & rescue services give no protection against fluoric acid!).

Open air car parks

A car burning in the open space maybe an advantage at best to be kept burning, in a controlled manner, so creating less amount of toxic fumes, rather than prevent fire spread. Tactical firefighting judgement would prevail.

good access for fire appliances class 1 or 2 according the needs of the responsible Health & Safety Service
fire hydrants at the longest distance not more than 75 m away

Enclosed car parks

Due to the great risk of fire spread and massive smoke build up, firefighting shall only be done if this Safety Action Plan has been considered. In any other case only direct fire fighting can be an option with specially trained (which must be available within at least 10 min after fire detection) including an additional trained rescue team and a good risk evaluation based on the Safety Concept of that car park.

Emergency plan

Owners of garages must provide the regional Safety & Health Service emergency plans according to their needs.

Fire detection and alarm system

Garages must have an automated fire detection system according DIN 14675 which is connected to a Public Emergency Call Answering and Alarming Centre. The fire detection system must give an audible warning and visible green flashing lights on top of every emergency exit door.

Radio communication

It must be guaranteed that the radio communication of the Health & Safety Service and the Police will work at all places in a garage.

4 Exceptions of this safety action plan

Open ground floor garages and closed ground floor garages for only a few cars can be freed of all or some parts of these regulations, if the regional Public Safety Service can’t see a fire and smoke danger towards other buildings, people and animals in the buildings and towards fire endangered areas.

Exceptions can also be made for non public ground floor fleet parking garages.

external links

fire spread risk

Here’s the car that sparked a massive 1,500-vehicle fire at London airport car park – Autoblog

Luton Airport car park fire: More than 16000 customers contacted after blaze

Bristol Airport fire: Mystery surrounds blaze that ripped through car park and left five motors ‘completely destroyed’ | The Sun

Fire destroys 200 cars in Swedish car park

More Than 100 Cars Burned in Mass Arson Attack in Sweden – The New York Times

Hot exhaust systems of combustion engines can cause fires if they are placed on flammable surfaces/floors. Technical defects or vandalism can also lead to vehicle fires at any time. Around 15,000 cars burn down on Germany’s roads every year. If minor damage caused by scorching etc. is also taken into account, the figure is around 40,000 cars per year. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrzeugbrand

Building Structure

As one can see in this example, it can even be, that car parks can already collapse without the event of a car fire.

statistics

The “exciting” data from the EU proves VERY little data is at least given to the EU. The only European data is from the UK with around 28.000 car fires in 2012.
Vehicle fires – Data Europa EU

Fossil fuel internal combustion engine cars burn more likely than zero emission vehicles

Facts and Myths About Fires in Battery Electric Vehicles

“All the data shows that EVs are just much, much less likely to set on fire than their petrol equivalent,” said Colin Walker, the head of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit thinktank. “The many, many fires that you have for petrol or diesel cars just aren’t reported.”

Do electric cars pose a greater fire risk than petrol or diesel vehicles? | Automotive industry | The Guardian

“Australia’s Department of Defence funded EV FireSafe to look into the question. It found there was a 0.0012% chance of a passenger electric vehicle battery catching fire, compared with a 0.1% chance for internal combustion engine cars.”

Do electric cars pose a greater fire risk than petrol or diesel vehicles? | Automotive industry | The Guardian

New knowledge about battery fires in electric cars on ferries – CFPA Europe

Electric vehicles pose a greater fire safety risk than conventional transportation. | Electrification Strategy EU

Brann i biler – Elbiler brenner ikke oftere

A major insurance company in the United States recently conducted a study. Electric cars, according to the study, are in fact the least likely to catch fire. 25.1 out of every 100,000 electric vehicles sold caught fire. For the same number of combustion engine cars, 1,529.9 caught fire.

Fact Check: Do electric cars catch fire more often than combustion engine cars? – EDMO Belux

position paper on the fire protection of car parks – eurofeu position paper on the fire protection of car parks

https://www.evfiresafe.com/ev-fire-key-findings

Sales of EVs are booming in Europe but are we equipped to tackle blazes caused by batteries? | Euronews

Electric vehicle fire risk assessment framework using Fault Tree Analysis

very good video in German: Brennende E-Autos: Was steckt wirklich dahinter?

Threads due to Honeywells R1234yf refigerant

Safety sheet of R1234yf (sorry only in German)

R1234yf is

a compound from the group of alkenes and organic fluorine compounds
molecular formula _C3H2F4
a compressed, liquefied gas
a flammable, highly flammable, colorless gas with a faint inherent odor
rapid vaporization can lead to frostbite
high vapor concentrations can lead to dizziness, nausea and even unconsciousness

flamability of R1234yf

according to the Honeywell safety data sheet, R1234yf is described as a flammable gas
the gas-air mixture is classified as highly flammable
the explosion range is between 6.2 % LEL and 12.3 % LEL by volume
the auto-ignition temperature is between 400 – 405 °C
in the presence of temperatures above 400 °C (fire / contact with hot surfaces), R1234yf decomposes and forms hydrogen fluoride. Due to the ever-present humidity, hydrofluoric acid is also automatically produced
The extremely widespread blue flame is typical of the combustion of R1234yf
Flame detachment was increasingly observed during fire tests
R1234yf is found in many vehicle air conditioning systems, car workshops, truck tanks, …
Installation situation of air conditioning systems in the vicinity of hot components
Components in the engine compartment up to 600 ºC
Vehicle fire usually possible without accident
Formation of hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid
leaks due to defects in the cooling system can cause leaking refrigerant to form hydrofluoric acid and enter the vehicle interior via the ventilation system, thus endangering the occupants
Leaks caused by accidents can directly endanger people involved in the accident and fire and rescue service personnel due to leaking hydrogen fluoride / hydrofluoric acid.

Threats due hydrofluoric acid

Colourless, pungent smelling liquid
Strongly corrosive to the skin, mucous membranes and conjunctiva of the eyes
MAK value 3 ppm (2,5 mg/m³)
Lethal dose > 1.5 g or 20 mg/kg body weight
Contact poison which is absorbed by the skin
it is possible that deep skin layers and even bones are damaged without an external wound being visible
a palm-sized burn with hydrofluoric acid (40%) is usually fatal (palm of the hand approx. 1% of the body surface)
interferes with the calcium and magnesium metabolism and thus affects the central nervous system (shock cramps)
narcotic effect
painkillers are almost ineffective
the chemical protective suits of the fire department are not resistant to hydrofluoric acid and therefore offer no protection!

CO2 as cooling agent

completely climate-neutral
non-flammable (not to say fire-retardant), completely non-toxic
approx. 20 – 30 € more expensive to buy for a new car, but approx. 400 € cheaper over the lifetime of a vehicle as no expensive monopoly refrigerant from Honeywell is needed

CO2 has the following positive properties in comparison:

non-toxic
non-flammable
no ozone depletion potential
chemically inactive
no separate disposal necessary
inexpensive

With this in mind, it is necessary to adapt the current EU directive, ban R1234yf and make CO2 mandatory.

Alternatively heat pumps are probably the best solution!

Statistics from Germany 2009

2.3 million traffic accidents on German roads
40,000 vehicle fires
1% (400) of vehicle fires are caused by serious collisions
50.2 million vehicles officially registered in Germany (01.01.2010)
96% equipped with air conditioning
Average filling quantity per car approx. 625 g
23,645 tons of refrigerant in cars on German roads alone
According to estimates, 10% of the refrigerant used evaporates due to leaks, improper refilling or accidents
annual turnover of the chemical industry in refrigerants approx. 4 billion €