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Highland Beach members raise fire‑safety and structural concerns about condo EV chargers
Summary
The board discussed fire‑risk and structural limits for electric vehicle charging installations in condominium garages, recommending exterior chargers where feasible and noting state condo law allows chargers if owners pay infrastructure costs.
Members discussed electric vehicle (EV) charging in condominium garages and the associated safety and permitting implications. Speakers raised concerns about battery storage, overcharging and the difficulty of responding to garage fires involving battery packs; one official said that when EV batteries catch fire they can reach temperatures that make suppression difficult and that first responders sometimes must let them burn out under protective cover.
The board noted Florida statutes allow condominium owners to install chargers if they pay for the necessary infrastructure, but members and staff urged additional permitting safeguards: locating chargers outside where possible, using automatic shutoffs to avoid overcharging, and performing structural reviews before placing chargers on upper garage floors because of EV weight and power‑draw considerations. A member recommended that condo boards require structural and electrical assessments before authorizing chargers on upper levels.
No formal policy change was made; staff said code and permitting teams will continue to monitor best practices and that the town will emphasize permitting guidance and safety recommendations to condo associations.
