Electric bikes and scooters in Moncton are on the rise, along with a concerning increase in fires caused by improper charging of their lithium batteries. Deputy Fire Chief Keith Guptill reported that there have been 13 fires involving e-bikes or e-scooters this year. Each incident occurred in an enclosed space, allowing the fire to escalate by feeding on nearby flammable materials, leading to property damage and injuries.
Guptill emphasized the significance of these incidents, noting that they occurred indoors in places like garages, hallways, decks, porches, and even homes, resulting in severe consequences such as the need for extensive renovations in some cases. The Fire Department of Moncton advises users to strictly adhere to charging instructions to prevent fire risks.
Poor charging practices and the use of substandard chargers are identified as the primary culprits by Guptill. Owners are urged to carefully follow the instruction manual to avoid overcharging the batteries. It is critical not to leave e-bikes or e-scooters unattended while charging, as this can lead to hazardous situations.
Guptill also highlighted the importance of using high-quality chargers and recommended against cutting corners when replacing charging components. The fire marshal’s office plans to issue safety guidelines regarding the safe use of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Extinguishing lithium battery fires poses challenges, as special blankets are required due to the risk of reignition even when sprayed with water. If a battery catches fire during charging, using water is no longer safe due to the risk of electrocution.
Stephen Robinson, a retailer of electric bikes and scooters in Irishtown, underlined the significance of educating customers to ensure safe usage. He emphasized the need to unplug devices once the charger indicates a full charge and warned against leaving them plugged in for extended periods, as this could indicate a malfunction in the shut-off mechanism.
Robinson stressed the importance of UL certification stickers on e-bikes, indicating they have undergone safety stress tests. He advised users to review their e-bike’s instruction manual annually for essential tips on bike management.