Design by the book

The Institution of Structural Engineers has published a comprehensive guide to contemporary car park design size of cars increasing. This extra load and the changing fire safety requirements are all considerations not just for new car parks, but for existing structures too.

• Part two covers more in-depth design issues, with detailed recommendations for those responsible for inputting to the detailed design such as structural and civil engineers.

Car Park Design highlights that a number of serious fires have happened in car parks which were designed to current guidance, and that in certain circumstances, this may not produce a fire-safe design.

The guidance explains that new car parks need to be designed to handle changes in car design. Many existing car parks across the country were designed when cars were smaller and fitted with less technology. The guidance states that car parks in the UK need to evolve to cope with bigger and heavier cars such as SUV and electric vehicles.

The average vehicle’s weight has risen from 1.5 tonne in 1974 to almost 2-tonnes –due to electric and hybrid batteries and the

The guide also advises that the design, construction, maintenance and reuse of car parks will also need careful consideration given their purpose is changing from just parking cars to recharging and storing them, alongside e-bikes and e-scooters.

Accessibility is an essential part of the design process, given that in the UK and many other countries people are living longer, with more independence. The physical impairments of a greater number of car park users therefore need to be addressed.

The institution’s guidance dedicates a chapter to the often-overlooked mental health aspects of car park design, with important consideration given to the various physical measures that can be part of the building to deter suicide attempts.

Car Park Design www.IStructE.org