What this checklist covers
The EV Charging Station Safety Checklist is a 15-point scorecard for installation approval, earthing, emergency stop, cable management, signage, access control, fire safety, and inspection schedule. Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on what the auditor sees on the day, and every gap goes into an action plan with an owner and a close date.
AutoSmart tip: EV charging station safety is a continuous operational responsibility, not a one-time installation check. The most common safety failures occur in use — damaged cables left in service, emergency stops that have never been tested, and charging bays that accumulate slip and trip hazards. Conduct a functional test of each emergency stop on a quarterly basis, and replace any cable showing visible damage the same day.
The checks
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Installation approval and earthing
- Is the EV charging station installation approved by a qualified electrical inspector, with a completion certificate confirming compliance with local wiring regulations on file?
- Is the earthing and protective bonding of the charging installation confirmed as correct in the installation certificate, with no unprotected earth fault risk identified?
- Is the supply capacity serving the charging installation confirmed as adequate for the total connected load, with diversity factors applied to prevent supply overload under simultaneous charging?
- Is the charging installation compliant with the relevant local or national standard for EV charging equipment (IEC 61851, local building code, or equivalent), confirmed in the installation documentation?
Emergency stop and cable management
- Is an emergency stop device (circuit breaker, isolation switch, or emergency disconnect) clearly labelled, easily accessible, and functional for each charging point?
- Are charging cables managed to prevent trip hazards — with cable management clips, retractable reels, or designated cable routes — so that in-use cables do not cross pedestrian or vehicle paths?
- Are cables and connectors inspected for damage before each use, with a clear mechanism for users to report or flag a damaged cable without needing to contact a member of staff?
- Is a cable replacement process in place that takes a damaged charging cable out of service the same day it is identified, not left in use pending a maintenance visit?
Signage and access control
- Is each charging point clearly identified with its charger type, connector standard, maximum power output, and any usage restrictions — visible before the user approaches the connector?
- Is access to the charging area managed appropriately — with no uncontrolled vehicle overstay, pedestrian access to live cable areas, or use by non-authorised vehicles during controlled hours?
- Is an out-of-service sign or equivalent fault indicator used when a charging point is non- functional, preventing customers from attempting to use a faulty unit?
Fire safety and inspection schedule
- Is appropriate fire suppression equipment available at or near the charging installation, suitable for electrical fires and the battery chemistry likely to be involved in an EV charging incident?
- Is a periodic inspection schedule in place for the EV charging installation, covering electrical integrity, connector wear, earth fault protection, and cable condition at defined intervals?
- Are inspection records maintained for the charging installation, with findings and any remedial actions documented and tracked to completion?
- Is the local fire service aware of the presence and capacity of EV charging infrastructure on the premises, as part of the fire risk assessment for the site?
How to run it
How the scoring works
Before the visit, fill in the dealer or centre, the auditor, the date and the audit cycle. Then score each of the 15 checks from 1 to 5 on what you see on the day, not on what the site aims for, and add them up out of 75.
- 1Not in place
- 2Attempted
- 3Defined
- 4Managed
- 5Fully sustained
- Green60–75 · 80–100%Compliant. Keep the standard.
- Amber38–59 · 50–79%Improvement needed: a structured action plan within 30 days.
- Red0–37 · Below 50%Priority intervention, escalated to regional management.
Then close every gap
Each gap goes into the action plan tracker and moves through four stages until the auditor closes it.
- 1PendingOwner and close date set
- 2In progressWork under way, evidence gathered
- 3CompletedEvidence submitted for review
- 4ApprovedVerified and closed by the auditor
