A study released on March 20 by the Korea Consumer Agency has revealed significant safety vulnerabilities in electric vehicle (EV) parking areas within public parking facilities. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 21 (Korea Bizwire) — A study released on March 20 by the Korea Consumer Agency has revealed significant safety vulnerabilities in electric vehicle (EV) parking areas within public parking facilities, raising concerns about fire hazards and emergency response capabilities.
The investigation, which examined EV charging facilities at 30 public parking structures, found that 63.3% of the charging stations were located in underground levels. More alarmingly, six locations had installed charging facilities below the third basement level, potentially complicating fire suppression efforts.
These installations appear to contradict guidelines set by the Korea Fire Protection Association, which recommends placing EV charging facilities at ground level when possible, or no lower than the second basement level when underground placement is unavoidable.
The study identified additional safety concerns, including the placement of charging stations near emergency stairwells in 10 of the surveyed locations. Agency officials warned that fires near these crucial evacuation routes could rapidly fill stairwells with smoke and heat, hampering both firefighting efforts and evacuation procedures. This configuration directly conflicts with safety guidelines established by the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, which mandate maintaining significant distance between EV parking areas and emergency stairs.
Of particular concern is the spacing between EV parking spots. Among the 835 dedicated EV parking spaces surveyed, only 48 spots (5.7%) maintained safe distances on both sides or were separated into isolated areas. This tight spacing could prove dangerous given the unique characteristics of EV fires, which can produce “jet flames” — intense, elongated flames resulting from rapid fuel discharge or high-pressure combustion that can quickly engulf nearby vehicles.
The study noted that the United Kingdom requires 90 to 120 centimeters of clearance between EV parking spaces as a safety measure. In contrast, most South Korean facilities lack such precautions.
Further compounding these safety concerns, two facilities had positioned EV parking and charging areas near high-voltage installations, raising the specter of catastrophic incidents. Additionally, only half of the surveyed locations were equipped with fire blankets, essential tools for initial fire response.
The Consumer Agency has shared these findings with parking facility operators and recommended strengthened safety measures. The agency also plans to propose to relevant government departments the establishment of specific safety standards for EV parking areas that account for the unique characteristics of electric vehicle fires.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
