Ministry of Public Security guides fire prevention and fighting for charging stations and charging equipment for automobiles and motorcycles.
Ministry of Public Security Guidance on Fire Prevention and Fighting for Charging Stations and Electric Charging Devices for Cars and Motorbikes
In Official Dispatch 3408/BCA - PCCC&CNCH in 2022 from the Ministry of Public Security regarding the content related to fire prevention and fighting work for charging stations and electric charging devices for cars and motorbikes:
Response to Official Dispatch No. 4269/BXD-HDXD dated September 22, 2022, from the Ministry of Construction requesting the Ministry of Public Security to provide opinions on the content related to fire prevention and fighting (PCCC) for charging stations and electric charging devices for cars and motorbikes in constructions, based on Decree 136/2020/ND-CP dated November 24, 2020, of the Government of Vietnam detailing certain articles, and measures for implementing the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting and the law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting and the standards and regulations, the Ministry of Public Security opines:
- Charging stations and electric charging devices for cars and motorbikes are not subject to PCCC design approval. However, when these charging stations and devices are installed additionally in existing constructions and affect the safety conditions of PCCC as prescribed in point b, clause 5, Article 13 of Decree 136/2020/ND-CP, they must undergo PCCC design approval for the construction. The Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security has instructed local police departments on the objects and content of approval for constructions with installed charging stations and electric charging devices for cars and motorbikes in Official Dispatch 1079/C07-14 in 2022 and Official Dispatch 2075/C07-P-4 in 2022. Therefore, there are currently no obstacles regarding the approval and acceptance of PCCC for constructions with installed electric charging stations and devices for cars and motorbikes.
Ministry of Public Security Guidance on Fire Prevention and Fighting for Charging Stations and Electric Charging Devices for Cars and Motorbikes (Image from the Internet)
Are electric charging stations subject to PCCC design approval?
In Official Dispatch 1079/C07-P4 in 2022 from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, guidance is provided on PCCC design approval for electric charging stations.
Electric charging stations are not subject to PCCC design approval stipulated in Appendix V of Decree 136/2020/ND-CP dated November 24, 2020, of the Government of Vietnam. However, placement of electric charging stations in certain types of constructions will determine the subject of PCCC design approval as follows:
- For electric charging stations located at independent garages; garages within buildings; and within the premises of petrol stations: design approval is required for garages, constructions, and petrol stations as stipulated in Appendix V of Decree 136/2020/ND-CP. The investor unit requesting approval is the owner of the construction.
- For outdoor electric charging stations (except within the premises of petrol stations): PCCC design approval is not required.
Requirements for electric charging stations located at independent garages and garages within buildings
In Official Dispatch 1079/C07-P4 in 2022 from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, the requirements for electric charging stations located at independent garages and garages within buildings are as follows:
- Regarding fire prevention and spreading solutions: Electrical cabinets, control devices, and power supply equipment for the charging station must be fire partitioned from the garage area and comply with Article 2.3.4 of QCVN 13:2018/BXD; simultaneously, the devices must meet the requirements of QCVN 12:2014/BXD and related technical standards for electrical equipment.
- Regarding smoke accumulation prevention solutions:
+ If the garage is equipped with an exhaust system or natural ventilation solution complying with regulations: the existing exhaust solution is acceptable;
+ For new construction designs with an integrated electric charging station or constructions without a smoke prevention solution, an exhaust solution must comply with Article 23.3 QCVN 13:2018/BXD and Appendix D QCVN 06:2021/BXD. Exhaust fans must meet the fire resistance limit stipulated at D.9 QCVN 06:2021/BXD, which is 1.5 hours at 600°C.
- Fire-fighting equipment must be appropriately equipped to meet the requirements of buildings and constructions in TCVN 3890:2009 and the requirements for garages according to QCVN 13:2018/BXD. It should be noted:
+ If the garage is equipped with an automatic water sprinkler fire extinguishing system complying with regulations: the existing sprinkler system can be used for the fire extinguishing area of the electric charging station.
However, it must be ensured that: the electric charging station is disconnected before water is sprayed as per regulation at Article 5.1.6 TCVN 7336:2021; the sprinkler fire extinguishing system for the electric charging station must be converted into a separate firefighting cluster controlled by a deluge valve, which only activates with signals from the fire alarm system and confirmation of the electric source disconnection of the charging station.
The disconnection of the electric source for the charging station must be executed manually and automatically from the fire alarm signal. The emergency power cut-off switch for the electric charging station must be within 15m from the station and labeled with operation instructions.
+ For new construction designs incorporating an electric charging station or constructions without a PCCC system and equipment, it must be equipped following the regulations of TCVN 3890:2009. If using a water extinguishing system, comply with the requirements as mentioned above.
C07 requests the Public Security Departments of provinces and centrally run cities to study and implement it during PCCC design approval and acceptance. If there are any complications during implementation, report back to C07 for prompt resolution and guidance.
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