FOLLOW  FIRE DEPT GUIDELINES IN INSTALLING EVCB 

By Mohd Norzaidi Arjunaidi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- The installation of new Electric Vehicle Charging Bays (EVCB) needs to follow the guidelines set by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) to ensure optimal fire safety.

Kuala Lumpur JBPM acting director Rozihan Anwar Mamat said that this is crucial to enhance safety levels and reduce the risk of fires involving electric vehicles (EVs).

"Any new EVCB installation will go through Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Then, at the JBPM level, the Fire Department will provide guidance and recommendations according to the suitability of the EVCB installation, whether at commercial and office premises or private residences," he told Bernama today.

Meanwhile, he said, for already installed EVCBs, his department will conduct enforcement operations or educate EVCB owners about fire safety at the charging bays.

Furthermore, he noted that fires involving EVs usually originate from the lithium batteries used in these vehicles, and so far, there are no agents or elements capable of extinguishing fires caused by these batteries.

Rozihan Anwar added that until now, there has not been a single extinguishing agent worldwide that can put out lithium battery fires used in EVs.

"We can only smother the fire (using water) until it is extinguished, but to put it out quickly, there is no method yet. Even though it appears to be extinguished, it can reignite. The nature of lithium itself can reignite even after the fire has been put out," he said.

-- BERNAMA