1. Introduction

Electric vehicles and fire protection—two phrases that, until recently, weren’t often mentioned together. But here’s the reality: as EV adoption accelerates worldwide, the construction industry faces a very particular challenge. Lithium-ion batteries, the powerhouses of these cars, bring with them the risk of thermal runaway—a chain reaction where a single cell failure cascades, producing extreme heat, sparks, and thick toxic fumes that are notoriously hard to contain. Siemens and Danfoss research even points out that EV fires burn hotter and longer than traditional car fires, with smoke so dense that visibility and evacuation routes are compromised almost instantly.

So, what does this mean for us—the builders, material suppliers, and designers of parking facilities? It means we need to rethink fire safety strategies from the ground up. Traditional sprinklers and alarms (the so-called active fire protection systems) are still critical, but they aren’t enough on their own when facing a battery fire that can reignite hours later.

This is where passive fire protection (PFP) steps in. Think of it as the “quiet guardian” of a structure: fire-resistant panels, fire partitions, smoke exhaust ducts, and structural protection materials that don’t need to be triggered or activated. They’re simply there, built into the garage walls, ceilings, and ducts, ready to slow down flames, channel smoke, and keep escape routes clear when everything else is chaos.

In the pages ahead, we’ll explore how leading brands like Promat approach this, the real fire challenges in EV parking lots, and how JOINBLING is carving out its own place in this evolving landscape.

2. Promat’s Passive Fire Protection Solutions

When we talk about passive fire protection in the context of electric vehicles and modern garages, Promat is often one of the first names that comes up. They’ve spent decades refining materials that don’t just resist fire but actively change how fire behaves within a structure. And in the era of EVs—where thermal runaway can turn one burning car into a full-blown multi-vehicle chain reaction—their portfolio is worth dissecting.

A Broad Product Portfolio

Promat doesn’t rely on one single “silver bullet” product. Instead, their toolkit is a layered system:

• Microporous panels – These are extremely lightweight yet highly efficient insulators, designed to handle both heat and toxic fumes.
• Calcium silicate panels – Durable and moisture resistant, often used in structural fireproofing where longevity matters.
• Intumescent materials – They expand when exposed to heat, sealing gaps that would otherwise let smoke and flames travel freely.
• Cementitious spray coatings – Applied directly to steel structures, creating a protective barrier against the extreme heat of an EV fire.

Each material serves a specific purpose, but when combined, they create something much stronger: a passive safety net that works in the background, even if active systems like sprinklers are delayed or overwhelmed.

The EV Protection Pack

Recognizing the unique risks of electric cars, Promat introduced something quite focused: the EV Protection Pack. It’s not a single product but rather a set of coordinated solutions, including:

• PROMATECT-H panels – Fire-resistant boards that can form partitions or encasements around sensitive areas.
• DURASTEEL partitions – Heavy-duty barriers that keep flames and smoke confined, preventing one car fire from spreading across an entire garage level.
• PROMADUCT smoke exhaust systems – Purpose-built ducts that channel toxic fumes away from evacuation routes. This isn’t just about keeping people safe; it’s also about buying firefighters precious visibility when entering a smoke-filled garage.
• Structural protection panels – Materials that ensure beams and columns maintain load capacity, even under prolonged exposure to high heat.

Together, this pack forms a sort of “shield wall” against the chaos of a lithium-ion fire.

The Combined Strategy: Layer Upon Layer

Here’s the thing—no single material can do it all. That’s why Promat promotes a combined strategy: fire partitions to slow the spread, smoke exhaust ducts to keep toxic fumes from pooling, and structural protection to prevent collapse. It’s a bit like building concentric circles of defense. Even if one circle fails, the next is there to keep damage contained.

And in real-world garage fires, containment is everything. Unlike office spaces or residential buildings, underground parking lots often have limited access points. That means once fire and smoke get moving, they spread fast and evacuation becomes complicated. Passive measures don’t put out the fire—but they buy time. And in firefighting, time is the most valuable resource of all.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Control

Of course, it’s not just about engineering clever materials. Fire safety also lives and dies by codes and compliance. Promat has always leaned heavily into aligning their systems with international and local fire regulations. Their engineers don’t just sell panels—they consult on compartmentation strategies, on smoke ventilation layouts, and on how to design garages that both meet code and prepare for worst-case EV fire scenarios.

And this is where passive systems shine compared to active suppression alone. Sprinklers can be effective, yes, but they can’t control smoke direction or guarantee that a collapsing beam won’t block a clear evacuation route. Passive systems, by design, are regulatory proof points: they’re visible, measurable, and testable. You can point to a fire partition and say, “This gives you 120 minutes of integrity.”

3. Fire Challenges in Electric Vehicle Parking Lots

If you’ve ever seen footage of an electric vehicle fire, you’ll know it looks nothing like the old gasoline car fires most garages were originally designed for. Flames shoot up with unusual intensity, smoke billows thick and dark, and the fire seems to stubbornly resist suppression efforts. Why? Because we’re dealing with a completely different beast: thermal runaway.

Thermal Runaway and the Domino Effect

Here’s the thing—when one lithium-ion battery cell overheats, it can trigger the next, and the next, until the entire pack is involved. This is thermal runaway in action. In a parking lot, that’s not just one burning car. It’s potentially the start of a multi-vehicle chain fire. Imagine rows of EVs parked bumper-to-bumper underground; once one ignites, the radiant heat can push its neighbors into the danger zone. Containment becomes a nightmare.

Sprinklers might slow surface flames, but they rarely penetrate the sealed battery casings where the real fire is raging. That’s why firefighters sometimes report EVs reigniting hours after being “extinguished.” And meanwhile, toxic fumes—hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and a cocktail of other nasties—are spreading through the garage. For occupants trying to escape, it’s not just fire that’s deadly; it’s the smoke clouding clear evacuation routes.

Bigger, Heavier, More Flammable

Modern vehicles themselves add to the challenge. SUVs are larger, denser, and often made with more plastic components than older sedans. More plastic equals more fuel load. In a confined underground garage, this accelerates flame spread. Structural loads are heavier, too, meaning the concrete-and-steel skeleton of the garage is under greater stress even before fire exposure begins. When you combine that with the heat of a lithium-ion fire, structural integrity becomes a pressing concern.

And think about the geometry of garages—low ceilings, tight spaces, ventilation ducts that weren’t originally designed for this type of smoke. What you get is a perfect storm where visibility drops in minutes, escape is complicated, and suppression teams face almost impossible working conditions.

Standards Struggling to Keep Up

One of the most frustrating realities? Our fire protection standards weren’t written with EVs in mind. Many codes still assume gasoline-based fire scenarios. That’s slowly changing, but research takes time.

• Euralarm, a European fire safety body, has been urging for updated strategies. They highlight not just active suppression but also building design changes, like better compartmentation and water mist systems to reduce radiant heat transfer.
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) in the US is running full-scale experiments with real EVs, testing how sprinkler density impacts control. Their findings could reshape requirements for underground garages.
• The EU has proposed the ERIC model: Eliminate ignition sources where possible, Reduce fire load, Isolate risks with partitions, and Control smoke through engineered exhaust routes. It’s a neat acronym, but in practice, it demands significant redesign for many existing garages.

Why This Matters for Builders and Operators

For construction professionals, this isn’t an abstract conversation. It’s budgets, liability, and safety rolled together. Insurance companies are already scrutinizing how facilities are adapting to EV risks. Some cities are even considering restricting EV parking in older underground garages unless fire upgrades are made. That’s a direct cost implication for operators.

So the challenge is layered: engineering, compliance, and reputation. No one wants to be the case study of “the garage where a single EV fire spread uncontrollably.” Which is why passive fire protection isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore—it’s quickly becoming essential infrastructure.

Promat, JOINBLING, and others in this field are responding to exactly these pain points. But before we spotlight JOINBLING’s approach, it’s worth pausing to note: these fire challenges aren’t going away. If anything, as EV adoption climbs year after year, the stakes only get higher.

4. JOINBLING’s Passive Fire Protection Advantages

Up to this point, we’ve talked a lot about Promat and the general fire risks tied to electric vehicles. But here’s the catch: Promat isn’t the only player in this game. JOINBLING has been building a reputation for offering solutions that match the performance benchmarks of the big names—sometimes even outpacing them in areas that matter for real-world projects. So, what exactly sets JOINBLING apart? Let’s unpack it.

Product and Feature Comparison

At its core, JOINBLING offers the same fundamental building blocks of passive fire protection—fire partitions, smoke exhaust ducts, structural protection boards, and fire-rated panels. But the company has put its own spin on these systems, focusing on a mix of practicality and adaptability.

• Lightweight panels – Easy to transport and install, especially valuable in tight underground garages where maneuvering large boards is a headache.
• Moisture resistance – A subtle but important detail. Parking structures are prone to dampness, condensation, even salt exposure in colder climates. JOINBLING’s boards resist degradation in these environments.
• Space-saving profiles – Their boards and partitions are designed to achieve high fire ratings without eating up valuable floor area, which is gold for operators trying to maximize parking density.
• Ease of installation – JOINBLING systems are engineered for quicker mounting. Less time on-site translates directly to cost savings for contractors.

These may sound like small tweaks, but in construction, those little details often make or break a project.

Similarities with Promat

Now, to be fair, JOINBLING and Promat share a lot of common ground:

• Both offer comprehensive passive fire protection systems tailored for garages.
• Both understand the importance of fire partitions and smoke management in containing EV fires.
• Both use high-performance panels that protect structural integrity and buy time during an incident.

So, if you’re a specifier comparing the two, you’ll notice they cover similar bases in terms of product categories.

Differentiation: Where JOINBLING Pulls Ahead

But here’s where JOINBLING starts to carve its own lane:

• Localization and customization – Unlike multinational giants that often sell standardized solutions, JOINBLING has the agility to adapt designs for local regulations, project quirks, and client preferences. If a city inspector wants a particular fire rating in a non-standard duct shape, JOINBLING can accommodate faster.
• Competitive cost structure – Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: budget. JOINBLING has managed to keep production and logistics streamlined, offering price points that often undercut bigger brands without sacrificing quality.
• Installer-friendly systems – JOINBLING products are deliberately engineered to minimize labor complexity. Contractors don’t need specialized crews or exotic tools, which reduces project risk and makes adoption easier.

In a world where construction schedules are constantly squeezed, those advantages matter.

Meeting the Unique Demands of EV Fires

The real test, of course, is whether JOINBLING’s products rise to the challenge of EV-specific risks. And this is where the company has been particularly forward-looking.

• Flexible partition structures – Designed to withstand the prolonged high heat of thermal runaway, these partitions can be configured to isolate “fire compartments” within a garage. The idea is to stop one burning car from taking out an entire floor.
• Lightweight fireproof panels for confined spaces – Especially useful in older garages where ceiling height and spacing are limited. JOINBLING’s thin yet fire-rated boards provide protection without forcing costly structural redesigns.
• Integration with smart systems – Some JOINBLING solutions are designed with the future in mind. Panels and ducts can be paired with temperature or smoke detection systems, essentially turning passive barriers into early-warning allies. Imagine a smoke exhaust duct system that not only channels fumes but also signals when abnormal smoke levels are building up. That’s where passive and active systems start to overlap in clever ways.

The Bigger Picture: JOINBLING’s Vision

JOINBLING isn’t just selling fireproof boards. The company is positioning itself as a partner for the electrification era. By focusing on ease of use, adaptability, and affordability, they’re addressing the concerns that engineers, contractors, and operators actually grapple with:

• How do we upgrade older garages without tearing them apart?
• How do we keep insurance costs down while meeting evolving fire codes?
• How do we ensure clear evacuation routes stay viable even during a dense smoke event?

JOINBLING’s answers aren’t abstract—they’re practical, buildable, and scalable.

At the end of the day, passive fire protection is about trust. You don’t get to “test drive” a system under real conditions until a fire happens, and by then it’s too late. That’s why professionals lean toward brands they believe will deliver when it counts. Promat has earned that trust globally. JOINBLING, through innovation, customization, and responsiveness, is steadily earning its own space at the table.

5. Case Study: Passive Fire Protection in an Underground Garage

Sometimes theory only takes you so far. What really convinces stakeholders—whether it’s a building owner, a city inspector, or even an insurance underwriter—is seeing how passive fire protection works in a real project setting. Since not every project can be disclosed, let’s walk through a simulated but entirely plausible scenario of JOINBLING’s system in action.

The Setting

Picture this: a mid-sized city center with a four-level underground parking facility. It was built in the early 2000s, back when EVs were rare and nobody thought about lithium-ion fires. Fast forward to today—30% of the cars using the garage are electric. The operator has already had one close call when a charging cable malfunctioned, filling part of Level -2 with smoke. No fire that time, but it was enough to push them into action.

The challenge? Retrofitting the garage with modern fire partitions, smoke exhaust ducts, and structural protection—without shutting down operations for months.

The JOINBLING Solution

Here’s how the retrofit rolled out:

• Compartmentation with lightweight panels – JOINBLING’s fire-rated boards were used to divide each level into zones. Instead of one giant open-plan floor, now there are controlled fire compartments. If a car catches fire, flames and toxic fumes are slowed within that zone.
• Upgraded smoke exhaust ducts – New ducts were added and connected to high-efficiency fans. JOINBLING supplied fire-resistant duct linings, ensuring smoke is channeled toward extraction points instead of seeping into stairwells and evacuation routes.
• Structural reinforcement – Key beams and columns received board cladding rated for two hours of fire resistance. Even under the heat of a full EV fire scenario, the structure is designed to maintain load capacity long enough for safe evacuation and firefighting.
• Integration with detection – Though JOINBLING’s solutions are passive by nature, they installed panels pre-fitted with sensor interfaces. This allows the building’s active detection system to trigger alarms earlier when abnormal smoke or heat is detected.

A Fire Test Scenario

During a fire drill simulation, a single EV in Zone B was assumed to undergo thermal runaway. Here’s what happened under the new layout:

• Smoke was immediately directed into the dedicated ducts, keeping stairwells visible and evacuation routes clear for much longer than before.
• The fire partition slowed the heat transfer to adjacent zones, preventing nearby vehicles from igniting in the critical first 20 minutes.
• Structural integrity was preserved—firefighters reported no significant deformation in the beam casings, giving them safe access.

The outcome? A situation that once would have threatened the entire garage floor was contained to a single compartment.

Customer Value Delivered

From the operator’s perspective, the investment wasn’t just about safety—it was financial sense. Insurance premiums dropped after the retrofit because the risk profile of the building improved. Maintenance costs also decreased thanks to JOINBLING’s moisture-resistant panels, which held up better in the damp underground environment. Most importantly, tenant trust rose. Drivers felt safer leaving their expensive EVs in a garage clearly equipped for the new era of risks.

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This case may be simulated, but the principles are real. Passive fire protection isn’t about flashy technology. It’s about giving time—time for people to escape, time for firefighters to act, and time to prevent one incident from escalating into a disaster. And that’s exactly what JOINBLING’s solutions deliver.

6. Industry Trends and Future Prospects

If you look at the numbers, the story is crystal clear: electric vehicles are no longer niche. In 2023 alone, global EV sales reached around 14 million units, making up nearly 18% of total car sales worldwide. And forecasts suggest that by 2030, EVs could represent one out of every three new cars sold. That’s a staggering shift—and it has direct consequences for fire protection in the built environment.

Rising Fire Protection Demands

As garages, tunnels, and charging hubs fill with EVs, regulators and insurers are tightening requirements. Municipalities are asking tough questions: Are our parking structures actually safe against thermal runaway fires? Can we guarantee clear evacuation routes? For many older facilities, the answer is still “not yet.” This is why passive fire protection is moving from a “nice-to-have” to an absolute baseline requirement.

Evolution of Standards

Standards aren’t static either. The NFPA is running live vehicle burn tests to determine how sprinkler density and placement should adapt for EV fires. In Europe, Euralarm is pushing comprehensive strategies that integrate compartmentation, smoke extraction, and architectural changes. Meanwhile, UL has introduced UL 2202, which governs EV charging equipment, and complementary building codes are starting to reference it.

All of this points to a more holistic approach—no single system will solve the problem. Instead, we’re seeing frameworks like the EU’s ERIC model: eliminate risks where possible, separate hazards with partitions, implement layered fire protection systems, and guarantee safe egress.

Technology Convergence

Here’s the catch: the future won’t be about choosing between passive and active systems. It will be about blending them intelligently. Think fire partitions that are sensor-ready, ducts that integrate with AI-driven smoke management, or lightweight panels designed to work hand-in-hand with high-pressure water mist systems. The boundaries are blurring, and the companies that innovate at those intersections will set the pace.

JOINBLING’s Opportunities

For JOINBLING, this is a massive opening. The company already has the core building blocks—fire-resistant partitions, ducts, and structural panels. By continuing to optimize for ease of installation, modular design, and compatibility with smart systems, JOINBLING is positioned to not just follow regulations, but actually shape the conversation.

In other words, the EV revolution doesn’t just create risk—it creates room for forward-thinking solutions. Those who adapt quickly, offering safety plus efficiency, will be the ones leading the market in the next decade.

7. Conclusion

The rise of electric vehicles is reshaping more than just the automotive industry—it’s reshaping the way we think about building safety. Lithium-ion battery fires aren’t like the fires we’ve been designing around for decades. They burn hotter, longer, and they release toxic fumes that can turn a routine incident into a crisis in minutes. That’s why passive fire protection has become a frontline defense in modern garages and charging facilities.

As we’ve seen, the challenges are real: thermal runaway, rapid flame spread, structural stress, and smoke that blinds evacuation routes. But solutions are also advancing. Companies like Promat have set benchmarks with their EV Protection Pack, proving that compartmentation, smoke control, and structural shielding can save lives and assets. JOINBLING enters this conversation with a competitive edge—bringing lighter materials, easier installation, and locally adaptable systems that make large-scale adoption more practical.

The future won’t be about passive versus active—it will be about integration. Imagine garages where fire-rated panels are sensor-enabled, smoke ducts connect to AI-driven fans, and passive shielding buys enough time for active sprinklers or mist systems to kick in. That’s the ecosystem we’re heading toward.

For designers, engineers, and facility operators, the takeaway is simple: don’t wait until regulations force a retrofit. Review your fire safety design now. Passive fire protection isn’t just compliance—it’s resilience. And with JOINBLING pushing innovation forward, the industry has tools ready for this new era of electrification.