How do you verify an EV fire is fully resolved — and document that it was handled correctly?
The challenge for HSEQ is not the fire itself. It is the audit trail before an incident, the verification process during it, and the documentation that follows. EV-X addresses all three.
Full-scale test · Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology
If an incident occurs, can I demonstrate that we assessed the risk, acted on it, and trained our crew — before it happened?
What HSEQ managers ask first
EV fire risk on vehicle decks sits at the intersection of three HSEQ concerns: the adequacy of existing procedures, the quality of independent verification, and the completeness of the audit trail. These are the four questions we hear most from HSEQ professionals.
Is the product independently verified — or just supplier-claimed?
EV-X has been independently tested by the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology (DBI) — Denmark's leading fire testing institute for electric vehicles, internationally recognised. The test was full-scale, under worst-case conditions, with a 113 kWh battery. Zero reignitions were recorded following submersion. Full test reports and video are available in a format suitable for auditor, underwriter, and flag state review.
Will it integrate into our existing SMS without creating new obligations?
EV-X adds one procedural step to existing EV emergency procedures — install barrier after initial suppression. No SMS amendment is required for procurement. No flag state notification is required. If EV-X is carried on board, crew must be able to demonstrate its use during flag state inspection, which is addressed through included e-learning and drill records.
What does adoption produce in terms of documented evidence?
Adopting EV-X generates a complete, auditable risk management record: risk assessment documentation, DBI supplier verification, crew training certificates, and drill completion logs. Each element is suitable for SMS audit files, P&I documentation packages, and flag state inspection responses. Training certificates were specifically requested by insurers during product review.
How does this relate to current regulatory guidance on EV carriage?
Flag states currently have no specific requirements for EV fire equipment on board. IMO guidance on EV carriage safety is developing, with ClassNK having issued guidelines. Insurers are sharpening guidance on EV fire risk. EV-X adoption constitutes operationally sound preparation ahead of regulation — not a compliance obligation, but documented evidence of proactive risk management.
What EV-X adoption produces for your SMS file
The documentation framework EV-X generates is structured to satisfy the four audiences most likely to review it in the event of an incident: flag state inspectors, P&I club assessors, external auditors, and legal counsel. Each element is produced as a matter of normal operational process — no additional reporting burden is created.
| Document | Content | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Risk assessment | Documented assessment of EV reignition risk on vessel decks, rationale for EV-X adoption, and gap analysis against existing suppression systems. | SMS audit Flag state |
| DBI test report | Full independent test report from the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology. Full-scale test, 113 kWh battery, worst-case installation conditions. Zero reignitions post-submersion. | Underwriter P&I club Flag state |
| Supplier verification | EVstinguish product documentation, CE certificate (EN 13731) for lifting cushions, patent registration for barrier design, and distributor confirmation from SepcoTech. | Auditor SMS audit |
| Crew training certificates | Individual certificates for each crew member completing e-learning. Extended course certificates available. Specifically requested by insurers during product review. | SMS audit Flag state Underwriter |
| Drill completion records | Loggable under existing drill documentation requirements. Tabletop, onboard, and instructor-led drill formats available. Records confirm crew competency at the time of any incident. | Auditor SMS audit Flag state |
| Incident documentation | Post-incident photo log per user manual, barrier inspection record, and disposal/reuse confirmation. Provides a complete chain of evidence for any P&I or legal review. | P&I club Legal Insurer |
Operators who can demonstrate they assessed the reignition risk gap, procured an independently verified solution, and trained their crew are better positioned before investigators, underwriters, flag state authorities, and media than operators who relied on existing suppression systems alone.
What the DBI test establishes for HSEQ purposes
For HSEQ, the relevant question is not just whether the product works — it is whether the evidence of performance is in a form that an external reviewer will accept. The DBI test was conducted by an internationally recognised independent institute, under conditions designed to represent the worst case on a real vessel deck.
Test vehicle: Fisker Ocean 1 (113 kWh LFP battery, vehicle #5 in a 9-vehicle formation at ferry deck spacing).
Worst-case condition: Battery ruptured during fire, exposing sharp metal edges on the vehicle underside. Barrier installed and filled successfully despite this.
Result: Zero reignitions at any point following battery submersion. HF gases absorbed by water. Barrier confirmed reusable after test.
Full test report, supporting data, and video documentation available in formats suitable for underwriter review, P&I club assessment, auditor inspection, and flag state inquiry. SepcoTech coordinates delivery directly.
Request DBI documentation →Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology — independent, internationally recognised, not supplier-conducted
Reignition events following battery submersion — confirmed across the complete test series
Battery size in full-scale test — Fisker Ocean 1, representative of large-format EV batteries on vehicle decks
Test documentation available as: full technical report, executive summary, and video — for different reviewer audiences
If fire blankets are currently part of your vessel's EV response procedure, note that DBI, the Fire Research Safety Institute (FRSI), and the NFPA have all explicitly warned against their use on EVs. Explosive gas concentrations can accumulate beneath a blanket and ignite. If a fire blanket is in the SMS today, this represents a documented risk that warrants review independently of EV-X adoption.
What crew training produces for your records
All EV-X training formats produce loggable records under existing drill documentation requirements. No new documentation framework is required. Training certificates were specifically requested by insurers during product review — they are designed to be included in SMS audit files and P&I documentation packages.
Core system operation, deployment sequence, and safety protocols. Certificate issued on completion. Loggable under existing drill records. Available to all crew at no additional cost.
Tactics, risk assessment, and scenario-based decision-making. Individual certificate issued. Specifically the format requested by insurers for inclusion in underwriting documentation. Recommended for officers-in-charge.
Conducted by certified emergency service commanders. Onboard or shoreside. Replicates incident conditions. Produces individual completion records and a drill log suitable for SMS audit files and flag state inspection.
- All formats produce individual certificates and loggable drill records
- Records are suitable for SMS audit files, P&I packages, and flag state inspection responses
- Training can be scheduled within existing drill cycles — no additional drill allocation required
- Certificate format was designed in response to specific insurer requests during product review
- Instructor-led format replicates actual incident conditions for highest crew competency confidence
Where EV-X sits in the current regulatory environment
Current flag state position
Flag states currently have no specific requirements for EV fire equipment on board. Procurement and carrying EV-X does not require flag state notification. If EV-X is carried, crew must demonstrate its use during flag state inspection — addressed through included e-learning.
IMO & class society guidance
IMO guidance on EV carriage safety is developing. ClassNK has issued guidelines on EV carriage. Regulation in this domain is expected within 5–10 years. EV-X adoption now constitutes documented proactive risk management — not compliance obligation-creation.
P&I and hull insurance
Insurance brokers engaged by EVstinguish have indicated that EV fire response capability may become a stop/go condition for hull cover on EV-carrying vessels. IF Hull Insurance has confirmed that documented safety investments support premium negotiation. Training certificates were specifically requested by insurers during product review.
ESG reporting relevance
EV-X adoption is documentable as a proactive crew safety investment and a fire risk mitigation measure. For operators with ESG reporting obligations, it provides a concrete, independently verified safety action that can be referenced in annual safety performance narratives.
Start with the documentation — no commitment required
The DBI test report is the natural first step for HSEQ review. It establishes independent verification of performance and is formatted for external reviewer audiences. SepcoTech coordinates delivery directly.
Receive the full DBI test documentation
Full test report, executive summary, and video — formatted for underwriter, P&I, auditor, and flag state review. The natural first step for HSEQ evaluation.
Request DBI documentation →Assess SMS integration for your fleet
Review of how EV-X integrates into your existing EV emergency procedures, drill schedule, and audit documentation framework.
Request SMS integration review →Read the complete EVstinguish landing page
Full product information, technical specifications, operational fit, and FAQ for all stakeholder audiences.
View EVstinguish page →