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Press Releases > Have fume extractors deployed in the underground parking lot? National Fire Agency (NFA): Automatic fire extinguishers have been required and the effectiveness of fume extractors has been evaluated.
Have fume extractors deployed in the underground parking lot? National Fire Agency (NFA): Automatic fire extinguishers have been required and the effectiveness of fume extractors has been evaluated.
According to media reports yesterday (2024/11/03), there are still safety concerns about installing charging piles in communities. Scholars believe that underground parking lots can be equipped with fume extractors to quickly eliminate the large amounts of toxic dense smoke released by the burning of lithium batteries in electric vehicle fires. With reference to relevant researches and specifications, such as the United States’ standards the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and European Standards (ENs), and in response to electric vehicles’ (EVs’) combustion characteristics, National Fire Agency (NFA) revised the Standard for Installation of Fire Safety Devices based on Use and Occupancy on 2024/04/24 which stipulated that, for parking lots, in addition to automatic fire extinguishing equipment using foam, water mist, etc., automatic water sprinkler equipment can be optionally installed to achieve the effect of cooling and fire spread prevention when a fire occurs. As for the effect of fume extractors on delaying the activation of fire extinguishing equipment, a commissioned study will be conducted.
In addition, in accordance with Articles 6 and 10 of the Fire Services Act, the person with the right to dominate and manage a building or place for public use shall install and maintain its own fire safety equipment in accordance with the installation standards, and in accordance with Article 9 of the Fire Service Act, to entrust fire equipment personnel to conduct regular inspections and maintenance of the fire safety equipment, where the inspection results shall be reported to the local competent fire authority for review.
In response to the issues raised in the media about the combustion toxicity of electric vehicles (EVs) and fume extractors, National Fire Agency (NFA) stated that the safety of a lithium battery replies on its intrinsic safety. The batteries used shall comply with the safety and inspection provisions of the National Standards of the Republic of China (CNS). At present, further scientific data is yet to be discovered about the combustion toxicity of different lithium batteries, in terms of amount, type, and fume extraction method. Regarding issues such as whether the activation of the fume extractor is to affect the fume flow thus in turn affecting the activation of fire extinguishing equipment; the installation of mechanical ventilation equipment in parking spaces as stipulated in the current building regulations, etc., the Architecture and Building Research Institute (ABRI) of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) is to be consulted for a commissioned study to be conducted to ensure the effectiveness in use of such related equipment.
Last Updated:2024-12-23
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