TransPennine Express bans electric scooters over fire risk

by Featured NewsSafety

TransPennine Express (TPE) has introduce a ban on all e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards within its stations and trains.

The ban took effect on Tuesday 27 December and covers e-scooters, hoverboards, and e-skateboards. Mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the ruling. The train operator will join other UK train operators in banning all electric scooters and similar devices due to the potential fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries can produce a vapour of toxic gases and lead to a fire or a risk of explosion if damaged or overheated.

Iain Peacock, Head of Safety and Security at TPE, said: “At TransPennine Express the safety of our customers and colleagues comes first.

“The risks associated with e-scooters and similar devices are of significant concern. Most of these devices are not approved for use in the UK and the batteries are often unregulated.

“We ask our customers to adhere to these new rules and be kind to our staff helping to enforce them, so we can keep everyone safe.”

Euralarm releases guidance on integrated fire protection for batteries

by Featured NewsIndustry SectorsProductsSafetyTransportVehicles

The Extinguishing Section of Euralarm has published a guidance document on integrated fire protection solutions for lithium-ion batteries. This new guideline provides information on the issues related to the use of lithium-ion batteries, how fires start in batteries and on how they may be detected, controlled, suppressed, and extinguished. It also provides guidance on post fire management. Excluded from the scope are explosion and ventilation issues.

Lithium-Ion batteries have become the battery technology of choice in a variety of areas, including amongst others, power generation, communications, industrial, vehicles and many other applications. Active control of the energy being stored and extracted from lithium-ion batteries has been the foundation of their increasing popularity. The relatively low frequency of major incidents is testament to the effort and successful design applied to the critical aspect of using such high-density energy products. However, active control of the battery energy is not sufficient to prevent safety-critical situations and multiple levels of defence are needed to minimize the serious consequences of a failure in a lithium-ion battery.

The increasing number of lithium-ion batteries and an increasing amount of stored energy in different energy storage applications present a new type of fire hazard where fire protection is challenging. Key issues in any fire protection system are the selection of the most appropriate agent for the specific hazard, system layout, the correct discharge of the extinguishing agent, as well as correct installation, the use of approved systems and constant maintenance by appropriately trained staff.

The guidance document ‘Integrated fire protection solutions for lithium-ion batteries’ is intended as guidance for all professionals dealing with fire safety, fire protection, extinguishing and fire suppression in connection with the use, storage or transport of lithium-ion batteries and their fire risks. Aspects of consumers products are not covered in this guidance.

The document is intended as general guidance and is not a substitute for detailed advice in specific circumstances. It represents the current understanding of the industry and will be updated as more information becomes available.