EV Growth Spurs Urgent Call for Updated Fire Safety Standards: NFPA at Intersec Saudi Arabia

At the 7th edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) spotlighted the growing fire safety challenges linked to electric vehicles (EVs).

Speaking at the Fire Protection & Technology Summit, Mike Brunzell, VP of Global Business Development at NFPA, emphasized that as global EV sales surpass 17 million in 2024, fire protection frameworks must evolve to keep pace.

Understanding EV Fire Risks

While EVs statistically catch fire less often than gasoline or diesel cars, the lithium-ion batteries that power them pose unique hazards. Risks such as thermal runaway, longer burn durations, toxic gas release, re-ignition potential, and higher water demands for suppression set them apart from conventional vehicle fires.

Adding complexity, modern vehicles now contain nearly 10% plastic content—up from 3% in the 1970s—alongside dense electronic systems and wiring, creating higher combustible fuel loads and ignition risks.

Codes, Standards, and Research

Through its Fire Protection Research Foundation, NFPA is studying suppression strategies, ventilation design, and fire dynamics in EVs. Brunzell highlighted key standards shaping EV safety:

• NFPA 88A: sprinkler protection for parking structures.

• NFPA 855: safety for stationary energy storage systems.

• NFPA 800: a new Battery Safety Code under development.

“These evolving codes, backed by training and research, are critical to ensure the safe integration of EV infrastructure,” Brunzell said.

Intersec: A Platform for Collaboration

Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025 convened over 400 exhibitors and more than 100 speakers, addressing not only EV fire safety but also cybersecurity, AI in safety, and large-scale fire management.

Exhibition Director Riham Sedik underscored the importance of collaboration: “As EV adoption grows, fire safety strategies must stay one step ahead.”

Bilal Al Barmawi, CEO of 1st Arabia, noted that the event strengthens regional preparedness at a time when the Kingdom is advancing ambitious infrastructure projects.

Held under the patronage of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Intersec Saudi Arabia once again positioned itself as a hub for innovation, knowledge exchange, and future-ready safety solutions.