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The Fire Hazard of the Modern Vehicle

Presented by

Melisa Rodriguez with Johnson Controls

Automobiles have been evolving over the past decade, with advancements in alternate fuel sources and changes in what materials from which they are made. Other changes include an increase in the use of plastics and synthetic materials in the makeup of automobiles. Sizes of automobiles are also trending larger, but parking structures have stayed mostly the same. These changes have led to questions about if our vehicles have changed enough to be considered a more hazardous occupancy than was previously established in NFPA standards. This presentation will review some of the changes that have already been implemented in codes and standards to address these concerns. It will also review the latest in research from both the NFPA research foundation and other organizations across the globe. Case studies of large-scale parking structure fires will be reviewed to demonstrate how large an impact these fires can have for property owners and vehicle owners. We will discuss testing that has been completed on electric vehicles, robotic and automated parking systems like car stackers and what the future might hold in standards like NFPA 88A.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the new challenges present in modern parking garages.
2. Get a general understanding of the results of the NFPA research foundation report
on Modern Vehicle Hazards in Parking Structures and Vehicle Carriers.
3. Know what recent changes have been made to the requirements for parking garages
in NFPA standards and the IBC
4. Review potential upcoming changes to look for in standards like NFPA 88A to
address electric vehicles and robotic parking systems.

  1 PDH certificate available for attendees.

Schedule of Events:

4:30pm – Board meeting

5:00pm– Registration, Networking, Social Hour, Museum Exhibits

6:00pm – Dinner

6:30pm - 7:30 – Program
7:30 - 8:30 - More networking & Museum Exhibits