Specifically, Amendment No. 01:2026 to QCVN 04:2021/BXD – National Technical Regulation on Apartment Buildings is issued together with Circular No. 31/2026/TT-BXD.
The provisions of Vietnam’s National Technical Regulation on Apartment Buildings that are not amended by Amendment No. 01:2026 to QCVN 04:2021/BXD issued together with Circular No. 31/2026/TT-BXD shall continue to be implemented in accordance with QCVN 04:2021/BXD issued together with Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BXD dated May 19, 2021.
Circular No. 31/2026/TT-BXD comes into force as of December 15, 2026.
For electric vehicle parking areas, electric vehicle charging areas, and battery swapping areas in existing apartment buildings, within 6 months from the effective date of Circular No. 31/2026/TT-BXD apartment building owners, in accordance with housing laws, or authorized organizations or individuals, must complete a review in accordance with Section 3.3 of this Regulation. Where the requirements of this Regulation have not been met, repair and renovation works must be carried out in accordance with construction laws to ensure compliance with the Regulation.
Fire prevention and firefighting requirements for battery swapping areas in apartment buildings
(1) Where located outdoors
- A minimum horizontal distance of 3 m must be maintained between battery swapping areas and from a battery swapping area to crowded areas; escape routes; windows, doors, and openings on the exterior walls of adjacent buildings; and storage areas for combustible substances or materials that are not separated by partitions. This distance may be reduced to no less than 1 m if a solid wall or partition made of non-combustible materials with a minimum height of 2 m is provided.
- Continuous surveillance cameras monitoring the battery swapping area must transmit images to the apartment building's control room, staffed on a 24/24 basis.
- The battery swapping area must be equipped with appropriate firefighting equipment in accordance with regulations.
- The roof of the battery swapping area (if any) must be constructed from non-combustible materials.
(2) Where located on above-ground floors, semi-basement floors, or the first basement level
- A minimum horizontal distance of 6 m must be maintained between battery swapping cabinets and stairways or enclosed emergency stairwells; elevator lobbies or smoke-free lobbies; escape routes; windows and doors of adjacent rooms; and storage areas for combustible substances or materials that are not separated by partitions. This distance may be reduced to no less than 1 m if a fire-resistant partition with a fire-resistance rating of at least EI 60 is provided, extending continuously from the floor on which the battery swapping cabinet is installed to the underside of the floor above.
- A minimum horizontal distance of 2 m must be maintained from battery swapping cabinets to vehicle parking areas (except parking spaces designated for battery replacement) and electric vehicle charging areas. This distance may be reduced to no less than 1 m if a fire-resistant partition with a fire-resistance rating of at least EI 60 is provided, extending continuously from the floor on which the battery swapping cabinet is installed to the underside of the floor above.
- A mechanically operated smoke extraction and exhaust system must be installed.
- Continuous surveillance cameras monitoring the battery swapping area must transmit images to the apartment building's control room, staffed on a 24/24 basis.
- The battery swapping area must be equipped with appropriate firefighting equipment in accordance with regulations.
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