Fire regulations for EV chargers
In the United Kingdom, there isn’t a single fire regulation specific just to EV chargers — rather, fire safety for EV charging is managed by a combination of electrical standards, building and fire safety regulations, and published fire safety guidance. These ensure chargers are designed, installed, maintained and sited in ways that minimise the risk of electrical faults and fires.
1. Electrical Safety Standards (Foundation for Fire Prevention)
BS 7671 – IET Wiring Regulations
- All EV charging installations (residential or commercial) must comply with BS 7671 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations), which is the UK standard for electrical installations. This includes protection against faults that can cause fires (e.g., correct RCDs, earthing and circuit protection).
RCD (Residual Current Device) Requirements
- EV chargers must be protected against DC fault currents over 6 mA, because EVSE can produce DC leakage that standard protection devices might miss. This protection helps prevent electrical fires.
- BS 7671 requires an RCD (Type A, F or B) ≤ 30 mA on circuits supplying EV chargers.
Product Standards
- Chargers themselves must meet charging system standards such as BS-EN-IEC 61851 and related product safety and electromagnetic compliance rules — these are technical standards that support electrical safety and indirectly fire risk reduction.
2. Fire Safety Law & Risk Assessments
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- For non-domestic premises (workplaces, commercial car parks), the Responsible Person must include EV charging hazards in the fire risk assessment and manage risks appropriately.
Building Regulations (Including Fire Safety)
- Fire safety (Approved Document B) and electrical safety (Approved Document P / Part P) of electrical installations apply to buildings when adding new equipment like EV chargers. Part P treats EV charger installation as notifiable electrical work — requiring competent electricians and certification.
3. Fire Safety Guidance (Especially for Covered Car Parks)
Unlike rigid statutory requirements, the government has interim guidance on fire safety where EV charging and vehicles are involved — particularly in covered or enclosed car parks:
Gov.uk Interim Guidance for Covered Car Parks
- Targeted at designers, operators, owners and fire risk assessors of car parks.
- Provides fire safety considerations and recommended measures for installing and managing EV charge points and charging vehicles in enclosed spaces.
- It emphasises that this advice doesn’t replace existing fire or building law, but supports compliance through risk-based decisions.
Typical recommendations (from government/industry guidance)
- Carry out a fire risk assessment that covers EV charging and vehicle fire hazards.
- Locate chargers away from combustible materials where possible and avoid siting close to fire exits, plant rooms or waste stores.
- In enclosed car parks, consider ventilation, detection systems, fire-resisting compartments, and firefighter access improvements.
4. Domestic (Home) Installations
Installer Competence and Building Regulations
- Home chargers must be installed by a competent, certified electrician (e.g., NICEIC, NAPIT) in compliance with BS 7671 and notified under Part P of the Building Regulations.
Fire Safety Tips for Home Chargers
While not hard legal rules, good practice includes:
Position chargers/cables where they don’t run near flammable materials.
Avoid extension leads or makeshift connections — these are significant fire risks.
