Most of the time, fleet vehicles are on the move. However, there are situations—whether due to weekends, summer vacations, or economic slowdowns—where they need to be parked for extended periods. When that happens, they can become more vulnerable to risks like fire, theft, and vandalism. Taking the right precautions can help protect your fleet and ensure your vehicles are ready to go when needed.
How to reduce fire risks?
A fire in your parking lot can potentially destroy multiple vehicles and even spread to nearby buildings. Here’s how to minimize the risk:
- Choose a safe parking spot – Park vehicles in a dry, well-lit area and as far away as possible from the buildings (at least 15 m away).
- Keep vehicles away from flammable materials – Avoid parking near fuel tanks, oxy acetylene storage, and other combustible materials (minimum of 15 m).
- Have fire extinguishers readily available – Ensure Type BC fire extinguishers are in good condition and easily accessible.
- Check for leaks – Inspect under the vehicles for fluid leaks and clean up spills right away. Proper mechanical maintenance can help prevent leaks before they become a problem.
- Lower fuel levels – If possible, keep fuel tanks below a quarter or as low as possible, to reduce fire risks.
- Be mindful of plug-ins – If applicable, avoid keeping vehicles plugged in for a long time and make sure that the building’s circuit breaker is on an independent circuit to prevent electrical fires.
- Limit battery use – Shut off battery switches or disconnect battery cables, especially for long-term parking. If necessary, remove batteries for extended storage.
- Conduct regular vehicle inspections – Check stored vehicles at least every two days (ideally daily) and use a checklist to checklist to document any issues.
- Group vehicles strategically – To reduce fire spread:
- Park in small clusters of 4-8 vehicles to create firebreaks.
- Maintain at least a 3-meter gap between groups.
- Be cautious with rental or unprotected lots – If you must park in these areas, increase surveillance patrols to prevent unauthorized access and reduce risks.
- No smoking policy – Ensure that smoking is strictly prohibited near the parking area.
- Maintain protective barriers – Regularly check and maintain fences, lighting, cameras, and other security features to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate fire risks.
How to prevent theft and vandalism?
When vehicles are parked for long periods, they can become easy targets for theft and vandalism. Taking the right security measures can help protect your fleet:
- Ensure proper lighting: A well-lit lit parking lot makes it harder for thieves to operate unnoticed.
- Use surveillance systems: Ideally, the parking lot should have real-time surveillance cameras, motion detection systems, and secure fencing to deter unauthorized access. If these aren’t available, increase the frequency of security patrols to monitor the area.
- Lock the vehicle: Always ensure that all doors and windows are locked and store the keys in a safe and secure location.
- Activate security alarms: If your building has an alarm system, make sure it’s turned on for extra protection.
Parking at the driver’s residence
In some cases, drivers may be authorized to park company vehicles at their residence or another location outside of the company terminal. If that’s the case, consider these important factors:
- Review the duration – If the vehicle will be parked for more than a week, it should be returned to the terminal.
- Ensure proper documentation – Keep a clear record of where the vehicle is parked and confirm that it meets company policies.
- Document parking locations – Take photos of the parking space to keep a clear record of where the vehicle was parked as agreed with the driver. This helps prevent misunderstandings and provides a reference in case of disputes or security issues.
How to park safely?
Proper parking arrangements can reduce risks and improve safety for both school buses and coaches.
For school buses
- Park back-to-back: Align vehicles so their rear ends face each other with engines at opposite ends.
- Limit group sizes: Keep groups between 4-8 buses for better fire prevention.
- Maintain safe spacing: Leave a 3-meter break/gap between different groups of buses.
- Place fire extinguishers strategically: Ensure one extinguisher is available for each group of 4-8 buses.
For coaches and city buses
- Park face-to-face: Position vehicles so their fronts align with each other, keeping engines in opposite directions.
- Limit group sizes: Limit clusters to 4-8 buses to prevent fire spread.
- Space out the groups: Maintain a 3-meter gap between each set of buses.
- Having extinguishers nearby: At least one fire extinguisher should be accessible per group.
Emergency action plan
Having a solid emergency plan in place ensures a quick and effective response to potential risks like fire, theft, or vandalism. Proper coordination with emergency services and key stakeholders can prevent minor issues from turning into major losses.
- Create a documented fire safety plan: Work with emergency services and your fire, theft, and vandalism protection provider to develop a detailed plan. Ensure it is easily accessible to all relevant personnel.
- Post-emergency response details: If vehicles are parked indoors for an extended period, display a clear emergency response plan that includes contact details of key personnel and emergency phone numbers for quick action. This allows for rapid identification of responsible individuals and ensures immediate response in case of an incident.
Protect yourself and your business
Even with the best precautions, unexpected risks like fire, theft or vandalism can threaten your parked fleet. Proper safety measures and the right insurance coverage can help you stay prepared, minimize risks, and keep your business running smoothly. Learn more by visiting our Passenger Transport Services Insurance page today!
