Warnings issued over e-bike battery fires, roof terrace destroyed in North Finchley, major dangers for combustible balconies
E-Bikes have seen a rapid increase in popularity over recent years particularly in rural areas across the UK & Ireland. While seen as a cost-effective and viable alternative to public transport, the electrical components can bring an active fire-risk into homes when stored inside. London Fire Brigade (LFB) have issued warnings following a fire where roof terrace was destroyed in North Finchley, London.
One location in which people may choose to store their E-bikes, especially for those who live in mid or high-rise multi-occupancy buildings, is on balconies as to not take up space indoors. The AliDeck annual Balcony Fires Report 2020-2021 highlights that electrical faults were responsible for 5 balcony fires alone across the UK.
As mentioned above, an E-Bike battery is believed to be the cause of a fire that destroyed a North Finchley roof terrace and part of a studio apartment on the first floor of the building. It is just the latest in a number of fires that have been linked to e-bikes and e-scooters following a spike in popularity.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Finchley, Barnet and Southgate fire stations attended the scene with the LFB consequently issuing a number of warnings and advice to the public to ensure these incidents are more preventable.
Reports suggest that 130 fires in just over a year were associated to lithium-ion batteries like those used in e-bikes and e-scooters, a shocking number of fires that could easily be prevented with due care and effective storage.
Of that toal, 44 incidents related to e-bikes were accompanied by a further 28 from e-scooters, with the remainder linked to other devices such as phones, laptops and others. This was an increase of four times the amount seen in 2020. There have been 29 lithium-ion battery fires reported already in 2022, just over halfway into the year.
A key safe storage method includes ensuring you have smoke alarms fitted in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and make sure they are tested regularly. Never block your escape route with anything, including bikes and scooters. Store them somewhere away from a main through route. It is vital that you always use the correct chargers with such hazardous products, and always unplug them when they are done charging.
These are just a few simple steps in which leaseholders can take to limit the risks of fires caused by their lithium-ion battery powered devices. However, these require a better education to all owners, preferably at the point of sale on the dangers they face and the potential causes.
Building owners and property managers can also play a role in limiting these fires and the damage caused. By switching to non-combustible balcony decking leaseholders will have a safer place to store their e-bikes outside of their homes where, even if a battery fire does occur, it will be unable to spread across the building.
AliDeck are known across the industry as a trail-blazing innovator who are setting the standards for aluminium balcony decking components. We aim to build project success together with our approved installers, so you can be sure of great results.
If you would like to discuss an upcoming balcony remediation project of yours then please contact us on 01622 235 672 or via info@alideck.co.uk
