Fire Dept to inspect EV charging bays for safety

PETALING JAYA: The Fire and Rescue Department will inspect the network of electric vehicle charging bays (EVCB) to ensure they are in accordance with guidelines on fire safety as well as to determine whether they have the necessary approvals, says its director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin.

He said EVCBs that are installed without the approval of the department will be issued fire hazard abatement notices.

An abatement notice directs the owner to take steps to reduce the risk of fires by establishing defensible space and reducing or removing flammable materials or sources from properties.

Property owners will be given a reasonable time frame to rectify the situation, and those who fail to comply will be liable to fines.

The department gave the assurance that it would be monitoring the situation closely now that the government has announced guidelines to speed up and standardise the development of EVCBs.

Abdul Wahab told The Star that his department was directly involved in drafting the guidelines mentioned above.

"Some of the factors taken into consideration for the placement of EVCB's include easy access by the Fire Department in the case of a fire.

"This is why these charging bays will only be allowed to be installed at certain locations and levels, especially when it involves direct current (DC) charging.

"These bays must not be placed more than 30m away from dry and wet risers, as it will speed up and facilitate access for our personnel in the event of a fire," he said.

Abdul Wahab said he was aware of some safety concerns raised by certain parties about the installation of these bays, especially at condominiums, apartments and commercial buildings.

"The public should also note that a huge number of EVCBs have been installed at certain buildings over the last 10 years.

"The charging points must follow the standards set by the respective local governments and must also be installed by competent individuals who have Energy Commission certification," he said, adding that the installation must also receive approval of the Fire and Rescue Department, with the department conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance.