Adequacy of fire safety standards for electric vehicles in enclosed and multi-storey car parks

Question:

Mr Victor Lye: To ask the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs whether existing fire safety standards for enclosed and multi-storey car parks remain adequate for increasing numbers of electric vehicles, particularly with regard to smoke extraction, ventilation, emergency access and prolonged firefighting operations.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. Carparks in Singapore are designed in accordance with the Fire Code. For example, they are built with fire-rated walls and doors to contain the fire from spreading to other parts of the building prior to the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF's) arrival. Ventilation is provided through either natural or mechanical means to disperse smoke, heat and gases emitted during a fire. Fire alarms, hose reels and rising mains for firefighting are also provided within the carparks. In addition, sprinklers are required for enclosed basement carparks. These fire safety systems undergo regular maintenance and inspection as part of Fire Code requirements.

2. Since March 2022, the SCDF has also mandated at least one emergency main isolation shut-off switch to be provided within 15 metres of an electric vehicle (EV) charging station, which applies to EV charging stations at carparks. This switch cuts off the power supply to both the charging station and the vehicle being charged in the event of a fire.

3. Since 2023, SCDF and the Land Transport Authority have been co-chairing a multi-agency EV Safety Taskforce to monitor and manage EV-related matters such as fire risks in carparks. The Taskforce will continue to review safety requirements to support the adopting of EVs in Singapore.