The prevalence and danger of lithium-ion battery fires are increasingly coming to light, with the Chicago Fire Department now actively tracking such incidents due to a rise across the globe. These fires can occur unexpectedly and without warning, even when batteries are not in active use or charging.
“If you hear hissing or see smoke get out and call 911,” Ryan Rivera, Commanding Fire Marshal for the Chicago Fire Department, told
WGN-TV
. The department notes that malfunctioning or damaged batteries can react violently, reaching temperatures over 1,000 degrees in moments. Notably, a fiery explosion at a Sydney hostel and an Oklahoma family home fire are among a string of recent incidents attributed to such batteries.
Research from UL Solutions, a company specializing in testing and certification of lithium-ion batteries, reveals that many of the fires are caused by uncertified batteries. The findings, which include over 1,900 injuries and more than 300 fatalities linked to micro-mobility device batteries and close to 200 deaths related to other devices like laptops, highlight an urgent need for consumer caution and regulatory oversight.
Moreover, according to
SHP Online’s
coverage of a survey conducted during a series of webinars on lithium-ion battery safety, a concerning number of organizations including local authorities and hospitals have not conducted fire risk assessments for such devices. This despite 16% of surveyed participants admitting to having experienced an incident related to these batteries.
Chicago officials are taking steps to mitigate these risks. New city ordinances will soon require the Chicago Fire Department to report incidents related to powered bikes and mobility devices. Vendors and manufacturers in the city will also be obligated to ensure batteries are tested and meet established safety standards. “This is more on the manufacturers to make sure that when they are selling them to a consumer that they are safe,” Alderman Debra Silverstein, who led the legislative push,
told WGN-TV
. Consumers are advised to buy certified products, use supplied chargers, and be aware of the signs indicating a problematic battery, such as swelling or an unusual odor.
Action does not just come from legislative change but also through education and awareness. The Firechief® Academy is launching its Burning Issues podcast series, targeting health, safety, and facilities managers to understand the risks and responsibilities tied to the use of these batteries in their premises. The first three episodes are expected to be available from late November and will provide insights from insurance, legal, and risk assessment experts.
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