Tuesday October 15 2024

Batteries: a fire risk not to be taken lightly in your co-ownership

Electric batteries, although essential to our daily lives, represent a growing fire risk, particularly in confined environments such as co-ownerships. With the rise of electric vehicles, electric bicycles and many other battery-powered household appliances*, co-ownerships are facing a new challenge: the increased risk of fire from lithium-ion batteries.

While these batteries offer great convenience, they also pose potential dangers, particularly when used or maintained incorrectly. It is important to understand these risks and to take the necessary steps to prevent accidents.

Fire risks associated with batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are particularly sensitive to overheating. Mechanical shock, overcharging or internal failure can trigger a chain reaction, resulting in a violent fire that is difficult to control. A battery fire can cause considerable damage in a short space of time, endangering not only property and the building itself, but also the safety of the residents of the condominium. In a building, the consequences can be disastrous:

• Rapid spread of fire: battery fires can spread rapidly, endangering residents and property.
• Major damage: battery fires are often difficult to extinguish and can cause considerable damage to structures and equipment.
• Difficult evacuation: the smoke and toxic gases produced by battery fires can make evacuation difficult and dangerous.

Mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices

Mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices that use lithium-ion batteries have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. However, they represent a risk that is often underestimated in condominiums. Fires caused by faulty or incorrectly used batteries in these devices are more common than you might think.

Even something as simple as leaving your phone charging overnight on a sofa or bed can cause it to overheat and start a fire. In apartment buildings, these incidents can quickly endanger the safety of residents and cause considerable material damage. So, it’s vital to pay attention to the safe use and charging of these appliances.

Electric bicycles: a special case and a greater danger in buildings

As well as the electronic devices we use every day, the increasingly popular electric bicycles, scooters and electric scooters also represent a particular risk. One of the common but dangerous behaviours observed in many condominiums is taking your electric bike inside your home to recharge it. This practice is often prohibited (check your declarations of co-ownership) and presents a major risk.

If a faulty or overcharged battery catches fire in an apartment, the fire spreads rapidly and endangers all the residents of the building. Storing and recharging batteries in condominiums poses specific problems:

• Risk of fire: electric bicycle batteries, when improperly maintained or charged, can overheat and catch fire.
• Breaches of regulations: charging e-bikes in communal areas, lifts or apartments often contravenes co-ownership regulations.

Solutions to reduce the risks

Rather than allowing residents to charge their bikes at electrical sockets in communal areas or bringing bikes directly to their condo, it is possible to propose safer solutions:

• Prohibit charging e-bikes in apartments: impose clear rules and mention them in your condominium regulations, concerning the storage and charging of e-bikes in secure, ventilated areas, such as garages or parking spaces.
• Encourage the use of certified portable batteries to recharge electric bikes.
• Install dedicated recharging points: equip the condominium with specific recharging stations for electric bikes, in garages, for example. This can limit the risk of fire to more controlled areas and encourages residents to adopt responsible behaviour.
• Raise awareness and educate residents: inform co-owners about the dangers of using uncertified** or used batteries. Posters in communal areas or good practice guides can be a first step.
• Use the certified supplied chargers: whether for a laptop, mobile phone, vaping device or any other device with a rechargeable battery, always use the charger certified by the manufacturer. If you need to buy a new charger, make sure it is compatible and certified.
• Never charge on combustible surfaces: follow the charging instructions and avoid placing devices that are being charged on soft or flammable surfaces (such as a sofa or a bed).
• Control access to shared electrical outlets: restrict the use of electrical outlets in shared areas to authorised uses, and not for recharging electric bikes or scooters.
• Regularly inspect electrical installations: make sure that the electrical installations in the co-ownership comply with current standards and that they can withstand the additional load generated by electrical appliances.
• Encourage responsible recycling: inform co-owners about local collection points such as Call2Recycle Canada, Quebec’s Recycle my electronics recycling programme or the Serpuariens website, to ensure that defective or used batteries are properly recycled.

Case studies to illustrate the growing threat

The risks associated with electric batteries are no longer merely hypothetical. Several recent incidents bear witness to the seriousness of the situation:

In Quebec City, the city’s investigation statistics show that the number of fires linked to lithium ion batteries has increased sevenfold in just a few years.

• In September, the newspaper Le Soleil reported on several fires caused by faulty or uncertified charging wires, and recently the Journal de Montréal reported on yet another fire caused by a lithium ion electric scooter battery that ruined an apartment and sent two neighbouring residents to hospital.
• A recent incident in Longueuil saw an old telephone catch fire in a garbage collection truck, forcing employees to react urgently to extinguish the blaze.
• The fire at the Port of Montreal, where more than 15,000 kg of lithium batteries caught fire, gave off strong chemical odours and forced residents to stay indoors.

These examples underline the importance of carefully monitoring the condition of batteries and clearly demonstrate the need for action to prevent battery-related fires.

Prevention is better than cure

Electric batteries offer many advantages, but they also present risks that should not be overlooked. The message is clear: whether you are using your phone, bicycle or other device, keep a close eye on the condition of your batteries and follow the safety instructions. By adopting these practices, you are helping to protect the safety of residents and prevent devastating accidents in your condominium.

To find out more, click here:

1. Safety of lithium-ion batteries
2. If you have damaged, faulty or recalled batteries (including lithium-ion batteries), please contact [email protected] or 1.888.224.9764. Appel à recycler can inform you or provide you with a special container to handle these types of batteries. Damaged, defective or recalled batteries can never be placed in ordinary boxes and require special handling.
3. How to install, use, store and dispose of your batteries safely
4. Recycling electronic products 
5. Battery safety 
6. ‘Lithium-ion batteries: a fire hazard’ Protect yourself 

Practical advice for battery owners:

• Never leave a battery charging unattended.
• Only use chargers certified by the manufacturer.
• Avoid charging batteries at extreme temperatures.
• Do not pierce or damage batteries.

* Lithium-ion batteries are found in many electronic devices, including toys, power tools, baby monitors, portable chargers, personal electronic devices (such as tablets, laptops, mobile phones or smart watches), vaping products (electronic cigarettes), electromobility products (e.g. electric scooters, electric bicycles, and mobility aids).

** Electrical appliances (anything that plugs into a wall) sold in Canada must bear the seal of a certification organization recognized by the Standards Council of Canada, such as CSA, cUL or cETL.