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Commission discusses remote disconnects and tampering risks for EV chargers
Summary
The commission discussed a Thurston Fire Authority request for emergency remote-disconnect devices on electric-vehicle charging stations, weighing firefighter access against vandalism and signage concerns and considering placing a shutoff in a secure box for authorized access.
The Yelm Planning Commission on March 17 discussed a safety request from the Thurston Fire Authority to add a remote disconnect (emergency shutoff) for electric-vehicle charging stations.
A presenter said, “August Thurston Fire Authority had asked if we could have a remote disconnect device,” and commissioners discussed how a shutoff could be mounted (on a post or building) and whether it would require a key or special tool for access. Participants raised concerns that visible signage marking the shutoff could invite tampering; one planner suggested placing a kill switch inside a secure box that only authorized personnel could open.
Commissioners noted the technical placement will depend on site conditions; staff said they will research examples and return with recommended language. The conversation also noted that EV charging rules had been placed into the electrical code rather than alternative-fuel standards, and the planning staff is proposing to explicitly add emergency shutoff language for EV chargers.
No formal code change was adopted at the meeting; staff committed to follow up with sample language and example installations for the commission to consider before public hearing.
