E Bike and E Scooter Fires

London Fire Brigade have recently reported an increased number e-bike and e-scooter fires. As of the end of August 2023 there had been 116 fires involving e-bikes and scooter that is more than all of 2023 and higher than any other year. These fires included three fatalities and an additional 51 people injured.

Concerns have been raised by a number of groups, in particular regarding e-bikes and e-scooters being sold online that may have been fitted with batteries or other parts with have been purchased separately and  conversion kits purchased online used to turn ordinary bikes into e-bikes. This can cause issues with parts not properly meeting British standards and creating an increased risk of batteries being used with the wrong chargers and causing fires.

Analysis undertaken by London Fire Brigade fire investigators found that:

• At least 40% of fires within the first 6 months of this year are believed to have involved a converted bike
• At least 77% of these are also believed to have been caused by a failure of the bike’s battery
• At least 41% of these bikes are believed to have been on charge at the time of the fire starting

As the number of e-bikes and e-scooters increase with green initiatives it is important to also keep up with the fire safety issues associated with charging and using them.

Some key advice to follow when considering e-bikes and e-scooters includes:

Charging:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
• Always unplug the charger when not in use
• Don’t leave batteries unattended while charging
• Use the manufacturer approved charger for the product and ensure the charger is in good condition prior to use
• Do not cover chargers or batteries when charging
• Do not charge or store equipment and batteries near flammable or combustible materials
• Check manufacturers instructions for charging times and ensure that batteries are not overcharged
• Do not overload sockets
• Take extra care when charging equipment that has not been charged for a while
• In the event of a fire, leave and call 999. Do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself

Storage:

• Do not block escape routes when charging or storing equipment and batteries
• Store equipment and batteries in a cool place
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the storage of equipment and batteries

Purchasing equipment, batteries, and chargers:

• Only purchase equipment from reputable suppliers
• Do not purchase products which do not meet the relevant British or European standards
• Register purchased products with the manufacturer to validate warranties. This makes it easier to receive alerts regarding safety or recalls
• Check if products are subject to a recall

Damage and disposal:

• If you suspect a battery is damaged, ensure it is replaced and is not used or charged until it has been confirmed that it is not damaged
• Do not dispose of batteries in a normal bin as they can cause fires when crushed. Disposal information should be included in the manufacturer’s instructions

If you have any questions or would like support with managing issues at your workplace, please speak to your usual contact or get in touch using the form below.