Electric Vehicle Risk Assessments

The number of organisations across the UK that are offering their employees electric vehicle charging within their workplace car parks is rising.

There are obvious environmental and operational benefits to both employers and employees in providing these facilities, however they do also create additional risks. The Lithium-ion batteries contained within electric vehicles can be subject to a process called 'thermal runaway', that can result in explosion or constant release of heat/smoke. Insurers in particular have recognised this and are wanting reassurance from owners/employers where charging has been installed that the risk have been identified and are being managed.

Our electric vehicle risk assessments will identify fire hazards associated with the use of electric vehicles containing lithium-ion batteries (e.g. electric cars, bikes, and scooters), including the charging arrangements to help you establish whether all appropriate control measures have been considered, to protect life safety in case of fire.

Management control measures and operational procedures in relation to the risks present form part of the risk assessment checks. Consideration will also be given to aspects such as whether you need to develop an 'electric vehicle response plan’ or adapt your current fire evacuation procedures to document the process to be followed in the event of an electric vehicle fire. This will be advised following the completion of the risk assessment, along with any further safety control measures required to help limit the associated fire risk.

The guidance included in your risk assessment will be taken from The Fire Protection Association (FPA) and RISC Authority “RC59: Recommendations for fire safety when charging electric vehicles” and from Approved Document S: Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.

High risk priority actions will be communicated during the visit, when possible, with a follow up communication. High risk actions are those that need immediate attention to reduce the risks of a significant hazard where there is a high likelihood that harm could result.

There are legal, moral, and financial benefits for all companies to manage the risk of fire from EVs and EV charging, including: 

• Reducing the possibility of any criminal or civil prosecution and the issue of an improvement or prohibition notice by an enforcing authority;
• Reducing the possibility of injury or death to all who enter the premises;
• From a financial perspective no loss of income in having to rectify the consequences of fire; and
• It may also assist with helping manage insurance premiums, if EV risk assessments are requested by your provider.

So, if you would like to discuss the risk around your current EV charging requirements with a qualified fire risk assessor, please contact us.