DL E&C's fire extinguishing machine, designed to combat fires caused by electric vehicles, is shown spraying water during a demonstration at a parking lot in this undated photo. Courtesy of DL E&C

Construction firms are quickly adopting new technologies to prevent fires caused by electric vehicles (EVs) from spreading in underground parking garages.

Their move comes as more buildings have banned EVs from entering their underground parking garages due to growing fears of a fire similar to one that occurred, Thursday, caused by a Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 electric sedan equipped with a battery from China's Farasis Energy.

DL E&C is exploring the introduction of its own fire extinguishing system for EV fires in the underground parking garages of its e-Pyeonhansesang apartment complexes.

Once the central control system detects a fire, the system deploys an extinguishing machine to move beneath the burning EV. The machine then drills a hole under the car's battery pack within two minutes and sprays water to put out the fire, typically within 10 minutes.

The construction firm developed the system in April in partnership with Tanktech, a small- to medium-sized enterprise that supplies products to Hyundai Motor and fire stations.

“We expect the technology to dispel worries over fires caused by EVs,” a DL E&C official said.

An illustration of Bando E&C's system for handling electric vehicle fires / Courtesy of Bando E&C

Bando E&C developed its own system in 2021 to address fires caused by EVs. This system is set to be installed at Naepo New Town Bando U.Bora Mark Edition in Hongseong County, South Chungcheong Province, as well as in other buildings.

The system combines fire covers with ventilation fans.

The construction firm explained that lightweight fire covers placed near EV chargers help extinguish fires more quickly. Additionally, ventilation fans remove toxic gases from underground parking garages as soon as sensors detect a fire.

“The facilities make our apartments more convenient and safer,” a Bando E&C official said.

Samsung C&T decided last year to install fireproof walls around three sides of EV parking zones as part of the redevelopment of Gwacheon Jugong Complex 10 into Raemian One Majesty in Gyeonggi Province.

Hyundai E&C and Daewoo E&C have also implemented fireproof walls in EV parking and charging zones to comply with government guidelines. These measures are part of a broader effort to prevent the spread of fires caused by EVs in underground parking garages.

However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will alleviate concerns about EVs in underground parking garages, especially in light of a recent fire involving a Kia EV6 SUV that was recharging at a parking tower in Geumsan County, South Chungcheong Province, Tuesday.

Recently, LG Display, SK hynix, and KT requested that EV drivers avoid parking their cars in the underground garages of their company buildings. Additionally, an increasing number of apartment complexes have implemented bans on EVs in their underground parking garages.