SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd has initiated the certification and testing of electric vehicle (EV) fire blankets, aligning with the government’s dedication to promoting safety within the vehicle ecosystem.
Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), emphasised the significance of this new certification and service in response to the growing number of EVs in the country, according to a Bernama news report.
Tengku Zafrul highlighted that SIRIM’s latest service also reflects their commitment to supporting the government’s EV charging planning guidelines, as established by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).
He stressed his team’s dedication to ensuring compliance with the EN 13501-1 standard, emphasising the importance of the blankets effectively withstanding fire, reducing the release of gases, and meeting specified performance criteria, including the ability to endure temperatures up to 1000 °C.
Tengku Zafrul disclosed that each unit of EV fire blanket is priced between RM4,800 and RM5,000. Additionally, SIRIM is actively developing safety standards for fire blankets in the industry, intending for these guidelines to be adopted by port and logistics operators dealing with similar types of vehicles.
Also, the Trade Ministry is considering a proposal to mandate every EV charging station operator to be equipped with a fire blanket.
However, discussions with KPKT are essential, and the proposal will be raised in a forthcoming EV Committee meeting, with initial implementation potentially focusing on high-risk areas.
