Fire Door Safety Week – focuses on lithium-ion battery fires
The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is warning that the surge in lithium-ion battery fires from e-bikes and e-scooters – combined with poor fire door maintenance – could put lives and property at risk across the UK.
- Nearly half of people (46%) have spotted fire door problems in their workplace
- 1 in 5 people charge e-bikes/e-scooters at work
- Only 13% report workplace fire door faults – despite widespread problems
- 1 in 10 people have experienced or know someone who experienced a lithium-ion battery fire
New research, carried out by BWF to mark its Fire Door Safety Week campaign – ‘Fire Travels Fast’ – has revealed a sharp rise in public concern about the fire risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, particularly those found in e-bikes and e-scooters, with over half (59%) of owners saying their fire risk fears have grown since getting one.
Many employers have introduced facilities for e-bikes and e-scooters – such as indoor parking (31%), charging points (59%) and secure storage (27%) – yet nearly half of respondents (46%) had spotted problems with workplace fire doors, raising the question whether employers are putting the same attention and investment into ensuring fire doors are properly installed and maintained to minimise risk to life.
