Engineering & design
Automated parking fire requirements: 2026 changes and design preparation
Planning automated or mechanised parking? Review Circular 5/2026 applicability, system type, rescue access and fire interfaces with the equipment supplier and design team.
Quick answers
Must every existing car park retrofit immediately under the 2026 change?
The circular defines its scope by plan category and submission date. For an existing car park, give the professional team the original approvals and proposed alterations so they can confirm the requirements for your work.
Legal information
Requirements vary by premises. Confirm the work with the responsible professional using the premises use, approved plans, licence conditions and any written directions.
Check parking technology and plan dates
Circular 5/2026 took effect on 1 July 2026 for specified new-building and major-alteration plan submissions. It addresses automated guided vehicles and mechanised parking, with requirements that must be checked for the particular technology.
Existing car parks altering fire installations under the revised requirements must follow the applicable formal approval procedures. Have the design team review the site layout, parking technology and proposed changes before arranging installation with the supplier.
Coordinate parking geometry, rescue and equipment operation
The amendment covers fire installations and rescue provisions, including monitoring, emergency controls and access where applicable. Have the design team review platform heights, equipment positions during operation and the areas rescuers can reach.
Ask the supplier for parking levels, platform positions, maintenance access and emergency-operation details, including any EV charging. Before installation, agree who will supply, connect and test the parts linking the parking equipment to fire systems.
Plan joint testing and operational handover
Before procurement, agree joint tests, responsibilities and the information needed with the fire and parking-system suppliers. Test the connected systems together to confirm that they operate as set out in the accepted design.
At handover, check installation, connection tests and completed repairs. Ask suppliers for current drawings, operating instructions and maintenance contacts. The operator should know whom to call for a fault and how routine maintenance will be arranged.
Practical checklist
- Technology and equipment-supplier information
- Plan-submission date and project category
- Platforms, access and charging layout
- Fire interfaces and emergency-operation roles
- Joint tests and documents needed at handover
Enquire about fire protection for automated parking
Share the parking proposal, drawings and project stage so we can review fire-work coordination with the equipment supplier.
- Define fire-installation and interface scope
- Plan testing with designers and suppliers
- Quote works against the confirmed proposal
Official sources
The official documents below provide the full requirements and any updates.
Related reading
New-building fire acceptance: FS172, testing and document preparation
Before a new building is handed over, its fire installations need the applicable acceptance process. Find out how FSD coordinates acceptance, what FS172 records and which plans, tests and repair records the project team should prepare.
Read articleBattery-room fire requirements: lithium-ion capacity and design preparation
Planning a battery room, adding modules or changing battery type? Give the design team the data sheets, total capacity and room layout. This guide explains what to prepare and why capacity, room separation and project dates matter.
Read articleFire-system shutdowns in Hong Kong: reporting, notices and reinstatement
Before a fire system is shut down for repairs, management and the contractor should confirm which equipment will be affected, the notices needed and tests to restore service. This guide explains what to follow up before, during and after the work.
Read articleRELATED SERVICE
Discuss the technical coordination scope
Explore the service, or email or call us to ask about your premises.
Discuss the work your premises need
Share the premises, proposed scope and timing. For tender enquiries, include the brief and submission deadline. Available drawings and recent reports help us review the work; you can contact us before everything is ready.
Project and tender enquiries