Fires that occur in community garages usually take longer to be detected as they develop
in a sparsely populated area, so the response time is longer. In turn, they are usually fires characterized by their violence, rapid spread and health hazard, because the smoke produced by the combustion of paint, plastic and rubber of vehicles is very dense and highly toxic.
Since 2017, all car parks in Spain with an area larger than 500 m2 must undergo a periodic inspection every 10 years, in addition to the annual evaluation by each prevention company. For surfaces smaller than 500 m2, it is not mandatory to carry out this inspection, unless the space is considered to be risky.
As explained
Jaime Ortegatechnical director of Iberext, «the fires produced in communal garages are particularly sensitive, because
can damage structure and foundations that support the entire building. To prevent its spread, fire doors must always be kept closed and particular care must be taken to ensure that no corrosive and highly flammable products are left behind. In his experience, it is common in these cases to be attacked by the instinctive impulse to try to save our vehicle, an action which is strongly discouraged.
From Iberext, a company specialized in fire protection, they propose a series of tips to act if this situation arises and they advise us on the correct daily maintenance of these areas.
First of all, you don’t have to leave the house. Although it may sound contradictory, if it occurs
a fire in a garage we don’t know what stage it is in and whether the smoke and/or fire has spread through the building. For this reason, we have to put wet towels under the doors and go to the room with a window to the outside furthest from the main entrance, closing all doors separating the entrance of the house from the room for shelter.
Never leave fire doors open in the garage. Although most doors close under their own weight, they often
stay open for convenience through a stop. This recklessness could easily allow smoke and fire to spread throughout the building. This point also applies to the rest of the doors located on the floors or landings.
Flammable materials should not be stored, waste or cardboard. It is essential that the entire surface of the garage is clean, especially of vehicle maintenance products. These liquids, such as gasoline or oil, are highly flammable.
Know the location of all fire protection elements. It is recommended that the owners who are members of the neighborhood community know how to locate and use the fire extinguishers scattered in the garage. This would help put out a small fire and thus prevent greater evil. It is vital that fire detection elements are present that warn us that a calamity is taking place.
throw away
specific extinguishing agents for new electric chargers. The exponential growth of electric vehicles and mobility aids increases the risks in garages, both due to the charging areas and due to the accumulation of batteries, mostly from
Li-ion (lithium). Due to the virulence of this type of fire and the toxicity of the gases they produce, it is recommended to use extinguishing agents that can encapsulate and significantly lower their temperature, to prevent them from re-igniting. For this reason, it is recommended to have tested extinguishers available for this type of Li fire, which are more effective than traditional extinguishers.
Finally, never leave
driving cars. Although it is not a risk aspect of starting a fire, it is essential to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide emitted from burning cars, which can intoxicate a person and lead to fainting and even death in a short time.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
