Ensuring the highest level of safety & security at EV charging points in car parks is essential for protecting customers, preventing accidents, and overall maintaining a reliable charging system. But before we look at ways to enhance the security of these charging points, let's ensure we fully understand the ins and outs of what they are exactly.
What Are EV Charging Stations?
To put it simply, EV charging stations (short for electrical vehicle charging stations) are specialised installations that provide power to recharge the batteries of both electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Once plugged up to a vehicle, these charging stations supply the necessary electrical energy for the electric car to charge their battery packs, allowing users to conveniently recharge their vehicles' batteries while parked.
Here are 6 ways you can enhance the safety and security of EV charging points at your car park:
- Install adequate lighting
- Install emergency communication
- Provide proper security signage
- Take fire safety precautions
- Provide regular maintenance
- Ensure there is adequate ventilation
1.Install Adequate Lighting
It goes without saying that well-lit areas are much more welcoming for customers than areas with low visibility. This is because well-lit areas act as a deterrent to potential criminals and vandalisers. Areas with properly-lit EV charging points are less attractive for those with spiteful intent as they are more likely to be seen and caught.
Properly lit areas also make it much easier for security staff, surveillance cameras, or the public to monitor the charging points, enhancing the ability to detect activities such as vandalism or theft. Also, the quality of surveillance recordings are typically much better in well-lit areas, which is essential when identifying individuals involved in any incidents or criminal activities.
In addition to preventing criminal activity, adequate lighting around EV charging points helps customers use the charging area safely, reducing the risk of accidents, slips, trips, or falls.
Bright lighting allows customers to properly see the charging equipment, connectors, and cables clearly, ensuring safe charging practices.
2. Install Emergency Communication
In the event of customer issues or emergencies, it’s important there are clear security call buttons with easy-to-follow instructions for users to contact security staff or emergency services if needed. Whether it be a medical problem, a security concern, or reporting criminal activity, users can quickly alert authorities who can provide guidance and dispatch the necessary assistance.
Without emergency call buttons, if something went wrong, the user might be waiting for a long period of time before getting help. The great thing about emergency buttons is that they establish a direct line of communication, so the customer would speak to security personnel within a matter of seconds.
3. Provide Proper Signage
As well as installing bright lighting, security signage is another way in which criminals are discouraged from carrying out any unlawful activity targeted around EV charging points. By prominently displaying security signs that state the presence of things like CCTV cameras, alarms, or security personnel, you’re sending a message to criminals that the area is monitored and any criminal activity will be caught and dealt with.
Clear signage around the car park and EV points also provide important information such as emergency contact numbers or procedures if accidents were to happen.
Signs can also assist customers find the EV charging points around the car park, which might otherwise be tricky to find.
4. Take Fire Safety Precautions
It is, of course, essential that the EV charging points are installed by qualified electricians who have expertise in EV charging infrastructure. They must carry out proper installation techniques and adhere to electrical codes and regulations.
In terms of fire safety, there are a number of precautions that must be taken:
- Use fire-resistant materials - The construction of EV charging infrastructure, including the stations themselves, cables, and electrical cabinets must all be made from fire-resistant materials to reduce the risk of fire spreading in the case of an incident.
- Install fire extinguishers near charging points - Fire extinguishers must be easily accessible in the case of a fire, and car park staff must be taught how to use them.
- Make use of overcurrent protection devices - Devices such as fuses or circuit breakers will prevent short circuits and automatically disconnect power supply when an extravagant current is detected, reducing the risk of electrical fires.
If there are any issues, regardless of whether they’re big or small, these problems must be dealt with as soon as possible to prevent accidents or safety hazards.
This brings us nicely onto our next point…
5. Provide Regular Maintenance
To ensure the safety of each EV charging point, providing regular maintenance is essential. Not only do these service checks ensure that the charging point is working correctly for the user, they reduce the risk of any technical malfunctions or failures that could potentially pose safety hazards.
Properly serviced charging points are less likely to cause accidents or electrical faults as there would have been checks to identify things such as loose connections, faulty parts or damaged cables, for example.
If these issues don’t get fixed as soon as possible, hazards like fires or electrical shocks are much more likely.
6. Ensure There Is Adequate Ventilation
Last but certainly not least, adequate ventilation is essential for ensuring safety when using EV charging points. One of the main reasons for this is, like any other electrical equipment, EV charging points have the potential to cause fires if they’re not properly cooled. Charging cables and connectors, in particular, can heat up during the charging process, and adequate ventilation helps dispel the heat.
Also, high temperatures can adversely affect electrical components of the EV charging points, such as control systems and power electronics. A car park with proper ventilation, however, will help to maintain ideal operating conditions, ensuring longevity and quality of the charging system.
We are Euro Car Parks, the most experienced car parking management company in the UK.
We pride ourselves on having over 47 years of car parking experience delivering market leading parking solutions to a broad range of national and multinational companies.
In addition to EV charging and individual bay monitoring, we offer a range of car park management solutions, such as intelligent data reporting, validation systems and revenue generation, all designed to mitigate your car park management issues, ensure space availability and maximise your income.
To find out more, get in touch with our sales team or call us on 020 7563 3000.
