Which Systems Are Critical for Underground Parking Facilities?

Underground parking garages are classified as facilities with increased fire and technological risk. Confined spaces, lack of natural ventilation, and a high concentration of vehicles containing fuel, lubricants, and electrical equipment create conditions in which even a minor incident can rapidly escalate into a major emergency.

For this reason, underground parking safety cannot be ensured by a single solution. It requires a comprehensive set of interconnected engineering systems. Below are the systems that are critically important and the reasons why.

1. Fire Detection and Alarm System

The fire alarm system is the first line of defense. In an underground parking facility, the speed of fire detection directly affects the scale of damage and the safety of occupants.

Key requirements include:

• automatic detection of smoke and/or temperature rise;
• zoning of the parking area for precise identification of the fire location;
• transmission of alarm signals to a security post or control room;
• integration with other systems (ventilation, fire suppression, evacuation and voice alarm).

Important: combined detectors are often used in parking garages, as exhaust gases and dust can affect the operation of standard smoke detectors.

2. Automatic Fire Suppression System

In underground parking facilities, automatic fire suppression is a mandatory element, not an optional feature.

The most commonly used solutions include:

• sprinkler systems for localized fire suppression at an early stage;
• deluge systems for high-risk zones;
• water or water-foam systems, depending on the fire hazard classification.

Key advantages of automatic fire suppression:

• operates without human intervention;
• localizes the fire before fire brigades arrive;
• reduces heat release and smoke generation.

3. Smoke Extraction and Ventilation System

In underground parking garages, smoke is often more dangerous than flames themselves. Combustion products are the primary cause of fatalities during fires.

The smoke extraction system performs several critical functions:

• removes smoke and toxic gases;
• maintains visibility for safe evacuation;
• creates acceptable conditions for firefighting operations.

Under normal operating conditions, the same system functions as general ventilation, removing:

• carbon monoxide (CO);
• nitrogen oxides;
• fuel combustion by-products.

In modern parking facilities, ventilation is often automatically controlled based on gas analyzer readings.

4. Public Address and Evacuation Management System

Even the most advanced engineering solutions lose their effectiveness if people do not understand what to do during an emergency.

The public address and evacuation management system provides:

• voice messages with clear instructions;
• automatic activation in case of fire;
• evacuation zoning;
• the option for manual control by the dispatcher.

For underground parking facilities, it is critical that messages are clear, concise, and unambiguous, without vague or confusing wording.

5. Emergency Lighting and Evacuation Signage

In the event of a fire or power failure, an underground parking garage can instantly be plunged into darkness. Without emergency lighting, evacuation becomes impossible.

Mandatory elements include:

• emergency luminaires with autonomous power supply;
• illuminated exit direction signs;
• evacuation route markings;
• lighting for stairwells and exits.

6. Dispatching and Monitoring System

All engineering systems in a parking facility must operate as a single, coordinated unit. This is ensured by the dispatching and monitoring system.

It allows operators to:

• monitor the status of all systems in real time;
• quickly identify the affected area;
• control ventilation, fire suppression, and evacuation systems;
• record events for analysis and investigation.

Without centralized control, even fully functional systems may operate inconsistently or inefficiently.

Why a Comprehensive Approach Is Critical

No single system can ensure the safety of an underground parking facility. Real protection is achieved only when:

• a fire is detected quickly;
• it is automatically localized;
• smoke is effectively controlled;
• occupants receive clear instructions;
• evacuation proceeds without panic;
• the dispatcher has full situational control.

For this reason, underground parking garages are among the most demanding facilities in terms of design, installation, and maintenance of safety systems.