Overview
As electric vehicles become an everyday part of life, large retail destinations are adapting their safety strategies to reflect new and emerging risks. Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow is one of Scotland’s premier shopping and leisure destinations, welcoming millions of visitors each year and operating extensive multi-storey and surface car parks.
Working with managing agents Savills, Braehead Shopping Centre has taken a proactive step by installing three Fire Cloak™ Electric Vehicle Fire Blankets in and around its car parking facilities — strengthening its approach to EV fire preparedness and public safety.
The challenge: EV risk in high-traffic car parks
Shopping centre car parks are increasingly populated by electric vehicles, often parked in close proximity to one another and near structural elements of the building. While EV ownership continues to rise, so too does the need for clear, practical fire-containment measures that can be deployed quickly while emergency services are en route.
In such environments, the key challenge is not only protecting vehicles, but safeguarding shoppers, retail staff, and the wider property — while maintaining calm, control, and operational continuity during an incident.
Requirements & technical criteria
For a busy retail destination like Braehead, an EV fire-containment solution needed to support:
- Rapid response during the early stages of a suspected EV fire
- Simple, intuitive deployment by trained on-site personnel
- Sufficient coverage for passenger electric vehicles
- Compatibility with emergency-service response procedures
- Strategic placement to maximise accessibility and visibility
These requirements reflect the realities of public-facing, high-footfall environments where clarity and preparedness are essential.
Why Fire Cloak™
Fire Cloak™ EV Fire Blankets were selected to support Braehead Shopping Centre’s safety strategy based on several key factors:
Purpose-built for EV fires
Each blanket is engineered to withstand extreme heat conditions, maintaining structural integrity under rapid high-demand operating conditions. The construction — from the quality of the weave to the strength of the stitching — is designed to perform reliably in high-risk EV fire scenarios, including enclosed and high-traffic car park environments.
DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 Certification
Fire Cloak™ is among the first fire-containment blankets certified to this emerging standard, providing an auditable benchmark of performance aligned with emerging EV fire-safety expectations across commercial and public environments.
Ease of deployment
In the event of a suspected EV fire, once emergency services are contacted, the blanket can be deployed quickly — if safe to do so — providing an immediate containment measure while awaiting professional responders.
Strategic placement
Three blankets have been positioned across the site to ensure rapid access within the car park areas, supporting effective first-response action.
Demonstrated duty of care
By investing in dedicated EV fire-containment equipment, Braehead and its management partners visibly demonstrate their commitment to protecting shoppers, staff and property.
Operational Use
Fire Cloak™ Electric Vehicle Fire Blankets are stored in clearly identified, strategically positioned locations within Braehead Shopping Centre’s car parks, ensuring fast and easy access in the event of a suspected EV fire.
Once emergency services have been contacted, trained on-site personnel can deploy the Fire Cloak™ — where safe to do so — to help contain the incident, reduce heat transfer, and limit the risk of fire spreading to nearby vehicles or structures while professional responders are en-route.
Results & impact
Enhanced EV fire preparedness
Braehead Shopping Centre now has a clear, practical measure in place to support early containment of EV-related fire incidents.
Peace of mind for shoppers and drivers
The presence of EV fire blankets offers reassurance to customers parking electric vehicles on site.
Support for staff & emergency services
On-site teams are equipped with a recognised containment solution that complements emergency-service procedures.
Leadership in retail safety
By acting early, Braehead sets a strong example for shopping centre operators adapting to the realities of an electrified transport landscape.
Looking ahead
As EV adoption continues to accelerate, Fire Cloak™ remains committed to supporting retail, commercial and public-sector environments with robust, fit-for-purpose fire-containment solutions.
Strategic deployment of EV fire blankets within shopping centre car parks represents a forward-thinking approach to risk management — one that prioritises confidence, control, and continuity in spaces designed for people.
