Lawmakers are working to discover a decision to the growing electrical bike fires.
Peter Gerber
Metropolis landlords shall be required to submit an FDNY security information warning condominium dwellers about fires brought on by e-bike batteries which have killed six individuals to this point this 12 months, The Submit has realized.
The hearth division printed the emergency security bulletin to assist stop the lethal blazes, as New Yorkers purchase up common digital bikes, scooters and hoverboards throughout the Christmas buying season.
There have been at the very least 140 fires tied to the units in New York Metropolis in 2022, with 140 injured and 6 individuals killed within the blazes — together with one in August that trapped a younger lady inside an East Harlem condominium, officers mentioned.
An 8-year-old lady was killed in Queens the next month in a fireplace sparked by a lithium battery from her sibling’s new electrical scooter.
E-bikes and different lithium-ion battery-powered mobility units have turn into all the craze. However many individuals retailer and cost e-bike batteries of their condominium, which “current severe hearth security hazards,” officers mentioned.
“Flats have been severely broken,” states the bulletin, printed final week within the Metropolis Document.
The information — which is able to must be posted inside condominium complexes by April 30 — urges shoppers to right away cease charging an e-bike and name 911 if there's hearth or smoke, battery overheating, leaking or an odd odor or a battery making an odd noise.
The FDNY additionally posted a public service video on its Instagram account urging Large Apple residents to take security measures to forestall such fires when e-bikes are saved of their properties.
“Christmas is coming. You consider the e-bikes… the lithium-ion batteries which energy electrical mobility units shall be a giant present for the vacation season,” mentioned Dan Flynn, the FDNY’s chief hearth marshal.
“Perceive that they're nice and handy for us to make use of in our communities. However they do pose some threat,” he mentioned. “Once you purchase these to your kids, don’t allow them to cost [the batteries] in inside your kids’s bed room.”
The FDNY emergency bulletin, titled “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT E-BIKE FIRE SAFETY,” urges New Yorkers to:
- Solely purchase e-bikes and different mobility units which might be licensed by nationally acknowledged testing labs which have symbols together with “UL”, “ETL” and “CSA.” “The laboratories take a look at these merchandise to verify they meet business requirements and are protected to function below regular circumstances.”
- Solely use the unique battery, energy adapter and energy wire that comes with the e-bike, or a manufacturer-recommended or lab-certified replacements.
- “NEVER use unapproved batteries/chargers, even when they're much cheaper. WHY? Unapproved batteries or chargers is probably not designed to work with an e-bike or e-bike battery. “RESULT: An unapproved battery could overcharge, overheat and catch on hearth.”
- Plug the e-bike instantly into an electrical wall outlet when charging and “NEVER cost an e-bike or e-bike battery with an extension wire or energy strip.” “WHY? Lithium-ion battery charging requires a whole lot of electrical present, greater than most extension cords and energy strips can deal with. RESULT: The extension wire or energy wire can overheat and trigger a fireplace.”
- Retailer e-bike chargers and batteries in a protected facility and “not in your condominium, if doable” as a result of they lack sprinkler methods and there are too many flammable furnishings and family items, akin to drapes and papers.
- “NEVER cost the battery in a single day or when you find yourself not within the condominium.”
Lawmakers are additionally trying to deal with the issue.
State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) lately proposed two payments to assist stop fires brought on by malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries — by solely permitting the sale of such batteries if they're examined by a nationally acknowledged testing lab, and prohibiting the sale of reconditioned or second-use lithium-ion batteries.
“Reconditioned and untested batteries are contributing to a severe risk to the well being and security of New Yorkers of their properties and of their jobs, whether or not it’s supply staff attempting to make a residing, or residential tenants residing subsequent to a fly-by-night charging enterprise,” Krueger mentioned.
“When a chunk of apparatus has the potential to trigger a lot injury, we merely can't have a wild west method with none oversight.”
The Metropolis Council is transferring to take comparable motion.
Councilman Oswald Feliz (D-Bronx) additionally launched laws that might prohibit the sale of uncertified e-bike batteries.
“We should be sure that merchandise bought in our metropolis are protected for New Yorkers, and guaranteeing that batteries be licensed earlier than they're bought and used is essential to serving to resolve the rising drawback,” Feliz mentioned.
“We should use each device to assist resolve the fireplace security challenges posed by e-bike batteries,” Feliz mentioned.
“The FDNY’s plan to develop its training marketing campaign is a superb step. Educating residents in regards to the risks of those batteries, together with utilizing, storing, and charging these units inside flats, is essential,” he added. “It can assist residents perceive the fireplace security threats which might be posed and can assist them take steps to reduce the dangers.”
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