Introduction

The number of fires caused by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in Australia is increasing. The ABC reports there have been 1,000 fires related to lithium-ion batteries since January 2023. One contributing factor is the growing popularity of light electric vehicles (LEVs) such as e-scooters. In recent weeks, a high-rise building in Adelaide was evacuated when a charging e-scooter caught fire in an apartment. In Brisbane, an e-scooter charging in the lounge room of a unit exploded and started a fire that saw two people admitted to hospital with major burns. Fire and rescue services across Australia have created a range of resources to help educate the community about lithium battery safety and LEVs. This overview contains some of their key takeaways so you can protect people and property in your strata community and charge LEV lithium-ion batteries safely.

Which LEVs use lithium-ion batteries?

In addition to e-scooters, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are used to power a range of other LEVs including:

• electric bicycles (e-bikes)
• electric mobility scooters (e-mobility)
• self-balancing hoverboards

Why do lithium-ion batteries present a safety risk?

Lithium-ion batteries store renewable energy. While that’s good for environmental sustainability, lithium-ion batteries aren’t like traditional batteries. They’re highly volatile which is why they’re a safety risk. The New South Wales Fire and Rescue Service says lithium-ion batteries ‘contain a massive amount of energy in a relatively small space’. The service says the rapid release of energy when a lithium-ion battery fails ‘can create explosions, highly toxic fumes and secondary ignitions’ even after the flames have been put out. What this means is if a lithium-ion battery fails, the situation has the potential to become very dangerous, very quickly.

How can I charge my LEV lithium-ion battery safely?

These general fire and rescue service tips will help protect you, other people and your property:

• Only buy lithium-ion batteries and chargers from trusted suppliers and read the manufacturer instructions.
• See a qualified professional for repairs, battery replacements etc.
• Check your charger meets Australian standards and has the Australian Regulatory Compliance Mark:

• Don’t mix and match chargers and cords with different devices because they may have the wrong voltage and current. Only use the charger and cords that came with your device. Using the wrong charger and/or cord can damage the battery and/or cause it to overheat which may start a fire.
• Don’t swap batteries between devices. Only use the battery designed for your device.
• Don’t charge your device on any surface that could catch fire e.g. bed, lounge, carpet, paper etc.
• Charge your device on hard, non-combustible surfaces e.g. tiles, concrete etc. and keep it clear of anything that could catch fire.
• Don’t leave a lithium-ion battery unattended when charging i.e. don’t go out or fall asleep.
• Don’t charge a battery that’s been exposed to heat, extreme temperatures, water or moisture e.g. don’t put it in direct sunlight or leave it in a car where it can heat up. Make sure the battery’s cooled down before recharging.
• Disconnect your device from its charger once it’s fully charged. Don’t overcharge it.
• Don’t charge light electric vehicles (LEVs) like electric scooters in living areas or near doorways and exits. Charge them in the garage or shed instead i.e. away from people and away from any escape routes so you can evacuate quickly and safely if there’s a fire.
• Install working smoke alarms in any rooms where you charge or store your LEVs e.g. carport.

What are the warning signs for a lithium-ion battery?

Don’t use or recharge the lithium-ion battery for your LEV if it shows any of these warning signs:

• strong smell
• leaking
• swelling or bulging i.e. changing shape
• mechanical damage e.g. cracked, dented, pierced etc.
• changing colour
• making an unusual sound e.g. popping, crackling or hissing
• over-heating or been subject to extreme heat

If your lithium-ion battery or device starts producing smoke or a white vapour cloud, makes popping and hissing sounds, emits vapours and/or explodes and catches fire, telephone Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Don’t touch the device because you could be severely burnt and avoid breathing in any battery gases or vapours as they’re highly toxic. Evacuate to a safe area immediately and wait for firefighters to arrive. Seek urgent medical attention if you’ve breathed in smoke or toxic fumes.

How do I dispose of a lithium-ion battery?

Lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of correctly. Never throw a lithium-ion battery in your general rubbish bin because it could start a fire in the back of a garbage truck or at a waste facility and potentially injure people. The method of disposal for a lithium-ion battery depends on if it’s damaged or undamaged. Damaged batteries need to be handled and disposed of extremely carefully. Follow the links below to the fire and rescue service in your state and territory for more local information about lithium-ion battery disposal.

Resources

This lithium-ion battery safety overview draws on general information from fire and rescue services around Australia. Their advice will help keep you, your property and the people in your strata community safe. We recommend you click on the link to the fire and rescue service in your state or territory so you’re fully informed:

Fire Safety Victoria: Fire safety for e-bikes, e-scooters and other light electric vehicles

Fire and Rescue New South Wales: E-bike and e-scooter battery safety

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services: Lithium-ion battery safety

South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service: Lithium-ion batteries, tools and bikes- battery and charging safety

Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service: E-bikes, e-scooters and other light electric vehicles (LEV)

Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency: Lithium-ion batteries

Summary

LEVs offer fun and environmentally friendly ways to get around but it’s important to make sure you’re charging your device safely. With lithium-ion battery fires increasing, it’s a timely reminder to re-read the manufacturer instructions for your LEV. The advice we’ve provided here is general in nature. We recommend you contact the fire and rescue service in your state or territory or speak with your local Whittles branch if you have any further questions about LEV lithium-ion battery safety in your strata community.

Follow Whittles Body Corporate Management on LinkedIn and Facebook for more body corporate news and updates. You can also visit our Resources page for handy strata management tips.

Updated: 23 May 2024