With the rising popularity of electric scooters and bikes, especially in urban settings, property managers need to make sure their insurance is sufficient to cover the fire risks that are becoming increasingly apparent.
The London Fire Brigade attended over 70 e-scooter and e-bike related incidents in 2021. That number reached to just over 130 by March 2022 and in June 2022 a high-rise fire was put down to the same culprit.
If your residents are charging their e-bikes or scooters in your block, have a read of the below so you’re armed with the information you need to protect your residents and their homes.
What Causes the Fires?
The majority of fires are caused by the batteries and chargers used to power the e-bikes or scooters. If the batteries and chargers supplied with the vehicles are used and the manufacturer’s guidance is followed, then few issues are reported.
If conversion kits, non-manufacturer supplied chargers, or batteries intended for different vehicles are used, issues often occur.
Fire route blockages are also an issue, with many residents charging or storing their vehicles in hallways and by doors- hindering their and their fellow resident’s escape routes.
What Insurance do Block Managers Need?
Your standard buildings insurance should be sufficient to cover you should a fire occur as a result of e-bike or scooters being charged, but only if they were being charged as per the manufacturer’s instructions and with the correct equipment. As always, it’s worth double checking your policy wording or giving your provider a call to double check that this is the case.
If you know that some of your residents use e-bikes or scooters, it’s well worth a reminder to them of the risks posed by less than ideal charging practises and the dangers posed by incorrect storage.
What Insurance do E-Bike or E-Scooter Owners Need?
The building insurance in place for your block won’t stretch to cover the e-bike or e-scooter itself, so owners should take out their own insurance to cover their vehicles.
Insurance isn’t actually a legal requirement as e-bikes and scooters are classed as a “personal light electric vehicles”, but due to their expense and the necessity for transport, we think it’s pretty advisable!
Most policies on offer will protect you against damage and theft- check your policy wording carefully and always stick to the batteries and chargers supplied with your vehicle.
What Precautions Should be Taken?
The London Fire Brigade have released their own advice re the use of e-bikes and scooters due to the number of incidents they have been attending in recent years. A summary of their advice is below:
- Allow batteries to cool after use and before re-charging
- Charge batteries on a hard, flat surface that allows heat to dissipate
- Never leave your vehicle unattended while charging (including charging overnight while you sleep)
- Look after your batteries and check them for damage before your re-charge
- Buy replacement batteries from the manufacturer or a reputable seller
- Don’t expose your batteries to either extreme heat or extreme cold
- Never charge or store your vehicle in an escape route/main exit or through route
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Unplug the charger when not in use
The take-home message is to be on the side of caution. Sticking to the equipment supplied with the vehicles, charging them carefully and under supervision, and storing them in a way that doesn’t impede movement are vital.
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