From February 2026, condominiums and commercial buildings throughout Brasil will have to adapt their garages to the new rules of Conselho Nacional of Publicadas on August 26, 2025, the guidelines aim to increase fire safety at charging points, but face criticism from Associação Brasileira of Veículo Elétrico (ABVE) for their rigor and high costs. The standards require automatic showers, fire detection systems and manual shutdown in garages, impacting property managers, construction companies and owners. The 180-day deadline for adaptation and the complexity of the requirements have generated debates about technical and financial feasibility, especially in existing buildings.
The rules, which standardize electrical installations with technical standards such as NBR 5410 and NBR IEC 61851-1, were drawn up based on international studies and incident data in Brasil. Elas seek to mitigate fire risks in a context of growth in the electric vehicle market, which recorded a 45% increase in sales in 2025, according to ABVE.
- Main requirements: Sistemas of automatic showers, manual shut-off up to 5 meters from parking spaces, circuit breakers to cut power and clear signage.
- Immediate impact: Edifícios new and existing ones will have to adapt, with state deadlines for fire systems.
- Industry Reviews: ABVE points out high costs and a lack of technical basis for some requirements.
New security requirements
The CNCGBM standards detail specific measures for different types of buildings. Prédios new ones must incorporate advanced prevention systems, while existing ones face challenges in adapting. The mandatory use of automatic showers in garages with charging points is one of the most controversial points, as the measure does not apply to garages without chargers.
- New buildings: Sistema fire detection, automatic showers, mechanical exhaust and fire-resistant structure for 2 hours.
- Existing buildings: Interligação of showers with hydrants, fire detection and compliance with electrical standards.
- External garages: Menos restrictive, without requiring sprinklers, but with signaling and manual shutdown.
The drafting of the rules considered real incidents, such as the 5,800 combustion vehicle fires recorded in São Paulo in 2024, according to Corpo of Bombeiros. Apesar In addition, ABVE argues that the risks of electric vehicles do not justify such rigorous measures, as international studies indicate a lower probability of fires in modern batteries.
Market reactions and technical challenges
ABVE criticized the lack of clarity in some requirements, such as the need for automatic showers in every garage where there is a charging point. Segundo the entity, this raises unprecedented international costs that justify the measure. A study by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), for example, recommends ventilation and detection, but not mandatory sprinklers for all spaces.
Existing condominiums face logistical difficulties, such as installing sprinkler pipes in underground garages, which can cost between R$50,000 and R$200,000, depending on the size of the building, according to industry estimates. The requirement for manual shutdown a few meters from parking spaces is also seen as unfeasible in compact garages.
- High costs: Adaptação of garages can cost up to R$200,000 per condominium.
- Tight deadlines: 180 days for electrical compliance, with state deadlines for sprinklers.
- Lack of reference: Normas like sprinklers have no equivalent in global standards.
- Impact on liquidators: Responsabilidade falls on administrators, who fear fines.
The entity suggests that the rules be revised to balance safety and viability, proposing tax incentives for adjustments.
Impact on homeowners and the real estate market
The new standards directly affect electric vehicle owners and the real estate market. With the increase in demand for electric cars – 120 thousand units sold in the Brasil until July 2025, according to ABVE – condominiums need to invest in infrastructure to attract buyers. However, additional costs can increase condominium fees, discouraging the adoption of charging points.
In new buildings, developers already include charging systems in the planning, but in old buildings, adaptation is more complex. A survey by Lello Condomínios shows that 70% of residential buildings in São Paulo have garages that are more than 20 years old, making structural renovations difficult.
- Increased costs: Taxas condominiums can increase up to 15% to cover adjustments.
- Demand for electric: Crescimento of 45% in sales drives the need for infrastructure.
- Old buildings: Estruturas Obsolete components make it difficult to install sprinklers and exhaust.
The real estate market also fears that the rules will devalue properties without infrastructure for chargers, especially in cities like São Paulo and Rio of Janeiro, where the electric fleet is growing rapidly.
Comparison with international standards
Brazilian standards contrast with practices in other countries. Nos Estados Unidos, NFPA 70 code recommends smoke detection and ventilation, but sprinklers are only required in large commercial garages. Na Europa, the IEC 61851-1 standard focuses on safe electrical installations, without such rigid structural requirements.
ABVE highlights that countries like Noruega, a leader in the adoption of electric vehicles, prioritize tax incentives and simplification of standards, rather than regulatory barriers. No Brasil, the lack of subsidies for adapting garages is seen as an obstacle.
- States Unidos: Foco in detection and ventilation, with sprinklers in commercial garages.
- Europe: Normas strict electrical, but no requirements for automatic showers.
- Norway: Incentivos inspectors for installing chargers in homes and buildings.
- Brazil: Regras stricter, without financial support for condominiums.
Next steps and deadlines
The rules come into force on February 26, 2026, but deadlines for installing showers and alarms will be defined by each state, which may lead to inconsistencies. Em São Paulo, Corpo of Bombeiros has already signaled that inspections will begin shortly after the deadline, with fines for non-compliant condominiums.
ABVE plans to dialogue with the CNCGBM to propose adjustments, such as longer deadlines and exemption from sprinklers in small garages. Síndicos, in turn, seek technical guidance to comply with the requirements without overburdening condominium owners.
- Timeline: Conformidade electricity in 180 days; fire systems with state deadlines.
- Oversight: Multas expected to be non-compliance from 2026.
- Sectoral dialogue: ABVE seeks to review standards with firefighters and the government.
The discussion about the rules reflects the challenge of balancing security and innovation in an expanding market. Enquanto sales of electric vehicles grow, charging infrastructure needs to evolve without imposing excessive barriers on owners and condominiums.