A round-robin study from 12 UK Fire Services on the fire safety of open-sided car parks: Is current guidance adequate?

Recent incidents such as the London Luton Airport Car Park fire, question the validity of current fire protection measures recommended in Approved Document B (ADB) Vol. 2. This research carried out a critical evaluation of a fire strategy for an open-sided car park (developed in accordance with ADB), in collaboration with the fire engineers/protection managers from 12 UK Fire Services. The fire strategy focuses on supporting life safety in an eight-storey car park with spaces for electric vehicles (EVs). This study focuses on five key areas: means of warning and escape (B1), internal fire spread (B2 and B3), external fire spread (B4), access for Fire Services (B5), and EV-related issues. Results demonstrate that nine out of 12 Fire Services suggested improvements to evacuation measures, especially for disabled persons, recommending an evacuation lift and calculating the occupancy based on car park usage. A significant concern was the structural fire resistance, with nine Fire Services recommending an increase in fire protection from 15 minutes to a longer period, due to perceived higher calorific value of modern vehicles, including EVs, and the possibility of prolonged evacuation and Fire Service attendance. Furthermore, 10 Fire Services suggested the need for automatic suppression systems, typically sprinklers, especially on the floor with EV charging points (EVCPs). Regarding B5, six Fire Services recommended improvements in firefighting infrastructure, in terms of water mains and hydrants provision. Moreover, safety concerns about EVs were raised by eight Fire Services, including power supply isolation, improved ventilation, and better spacing between vehicles to control the fire spread. This review highlights the need for revisiting current fire safety guidance due to evolving risks posed by modern vehicles, especially EVs, to ensure compliance with contemporary safety standards.