E-Scooters and E-Bikes Fire Safety: What You Need to Know
10/25/2024
As e-scooters and e-bikes gain popularity, awareness around their fire risks becomes increasingly important. These eco-friendly transport options offer convenience but also come with significant safety concerns, particularly related to fire hazards. This article explores the fire risks and provides essential safety guidelines to help mitigate these dangers.
Legal Landscape
Understanding the legal framework is crucial. E-scooters are classified as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This classification means that the same rules applied to motor vehicles, such as the need for a driving license and insurance, also apply to e-scooters. Compliance with these requirements is challenging, making it nearly impossible for privately-owned e-scooters to be legally used on public roads or in public spaces, except for those rented under the Government’s e-scooter trial initiative.
In contrast, e-bikes are legal for individuals aged 14 and over, provided they meet specific requirements. Unlike e-scooters, e-bikes do not require a license, registration, tax, or insurance.
Fire Risks
The primary fire risk associated with e-scooters and e-bikes stems from their lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are prone to catching fire, especially when damaged or charged using sub-standard or modified equipment. Once ignited, a lithium-ion battery fire can escalate rapidly and is notoriously difficult to extinguish. Fire services strongly advise against tackling such fires personally. The recommended course of action is to evacuate the area immediately and call emergency services.
Alarming Statistics
Fires involving lithium-ion batteries are the fastest-growing fire risk in London. In 2023, the London Fire Brigade responded to e-bike or e-scooter fires every two days on average. In 2022, the brigade attended 87 e-bike and 29 e-scooter fires, totalling 116 incidents. These statistics underscore the urgent need for stringent safety measures.
Safety Measures
The quality of the battery and the presence of safety features in e-scooters and e-bikes significantly impact fire safety. Products from reputable retailers typically include a Battery Management System (BMS) that monitors the battery during charging cycles, thereby reducing the risk of fire. However, extreme caution is still necessary when purchasing, maintaining, charging, and caring for these devices.
Charging Guidelines
1. Inspect for Damage: Never charge an e-scooter or e-bike if the battery or charger shows any signs of damage.
2. Avoid Communal Areas: Do not charge or store these devices in communal areas of residential buildings or fire exit routes.
3. Cooling Time: Allow the battery to cool down for at least 15 to 30 minutes before recharging.
4. Manufacturer’s Instructions: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging, including the recommended charge time, and always unplug the charger once charging is complete.
5. Avoid Overcharging: Do not overcharge the battery.
6. Smoke Alarms: Ensure working smoke alarms are installed in any rooms where charging takes place. For garages or kitchens, heat alarms are recommended.
7. Supervised Charging: Only charge batteries while awake and alert to respond quickly in case of a fire.
8. Avoid Charging Overnight: Do not leave batteries charging while asleep or away from home.
9. Use Approved Chargers: Always use the manufacturer-approved charger and replace any damaged chargers with official replacements.
10. Prevent Overheating: Do not cover chargers or battery packs during charging.
11. Avoid Flammable Materials: Do not charge batteries or store these devices near combustible or flammable materials.
12. Proper Outlets: Avoid overloading socket outlets or using inappropriate extension leads.
Purchasing and Disposal Tips
Buy from Reputable Retailers: Purchase e-bikes, e-scooters, chargers, and batteries from reputable sources to avoid counterfeit products that do not meet safety standards.
Register Products: Register your product with the manufacturer to validate warranties and receive safety or recall information.
Check for Recalls: Ensure products are not subject to recalls by checking resources like Electrical Safety First’s website.
Inspect for Damage: Regularly check batteries for damage and replace them if necessary.
Proper Disposal: Do not dispose of damaged or end-of-life batteries in household waste. Utilise manufacturer recycling services or local authority recycling arrangements.
Additionally, eBay has announced that it is looking to ban the resale of used bike batteries and tighten rules on who is allowed to sell e-bikes and conversion kits on its platform. This move is a positive step in the right direction, aiming to reduce the risk of fire from sub-standard or unsafe components.
Conclusion
E-scooters and e-bikes offer a convenient and eco-friendly transportation alternative, but they come with significant fire risks that cannot be overlooked. By adhering to safety guidelines and being vigilant about the condition and handling of these devices, users can significantly reduce the risk of fire. Remember, in the event of a lithium-ion battery fire, the priority is safety: get out, stay out, and call 999.
For more information on anything mentioned in this article please contact Deevi Williams, Risk Engineer, Zurich Resilience Solutions on deevi.williams1@uk.zurich.com
