October 5, 2023 - Other News
Saskatoon Fire Department information - Electric bicycle charging and storage
Question:
With the increasing popularity of electric bicycles and concerns of condo owners becoming more evident I have been requested to contact the City of Saskatoon Fire Dept regarding any policies, City bylaws or NFC requirements regarding storage of electric bicycles (in individual suites or parking garages), charging of lithium batteries, and any potential risks to the corporation in event of battery fire?
Your assistance is appreciated in helping various condo corporations establish policies to deal with potential risks with electric bicycles and lithium batteries which we are seeing on news feeds from across the country.
Saskatoon Fire Department Information:
Thanks for reaching out to Saskatoon Fire (SFD) to inquire about information in relation to bylaws, code or policies regarding electric powered, lithium ion modes of transportation such as bikes within suites or parking garage, which would include battery charging and storage.
At present, the bylaws, code or policies including the provincial adopted edition of both the 2015 National Building Code (NBC) and National Fire code (NFC) does not have specific references to lithium ion battery use, charging, location, or referenced vehicles as requested and outlined above. The code does identify safe electrical practices are in place as per NFC Subsection 2.4.7. Electrical Installations but is very generic in application.
Nonetheless, SFD staff have been educating the public in various ways about the various products that have lithium ion batteries. SFD has been involved in various media occasions where the topic of lithium batteries is the forefront subject where the presenter has outlined hazards that may occur, what to look for and general lithium ion battery safety and use. We also have a link at the City of Saskatoon | SFD – life/fire safety education website providing safety tips and outlining the dangers of improper storage and use including the potential consequences if they are not stored, charge or disposed of properly.
The following information at the website should be helpful for the request submitted:
https://www.saskatoon.ca/sites/default/files/ElectricBikeSafetyTips_SFD.pdf