From Emerging Risk to Fire Safety Planning Reality: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Buildings
We are seeing a consistent pattern emerging around the world with lithium-ion batteries in personal mobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters. These technologies offer an efficient, low-emission way to move people through cities, and they are clearly here to stay.
At the same time, the batteries that power them can fail in ways that produce intense, rapidly developing fires when they are damaged, poorly manufactured, overcharged, modified or stored and charged improperly.
Fire prevention teams, fire services, and building operators are already responding to this shift. What the data now shows is that lithium-ion battery risks are no longer theoretical or emerging. They are present, measurable, and directly relevant to fire safety planning today.
What follows is a summary of credible fire service, research, and industry resources that frame this issue clearly and constructively. Collectively, they show how fire prevention is evolving alongside changing technologies…. just as it always has.
Toronto Reports Sharp Increases in Battery Fires
Toronto Fire Services data shows lithium-ion battery fires linked to e-bikes and similar devices rose from 11 incidents in 2020 to 76 in 2024. In 2024 alone, these fires represented a 38 percent increase over the previous year, placing lithium-ion batteries among the fastest-growing fire risks the service responds to.
This is your warning – City of Toronto launches lithium-ion battery safety campaign
NFPA — E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety Guidance
The National Fire Protection Association has published clear guidance outlining the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters, along with practical safety information grounded in fire behaviour research and prevention experience.
E‑Bike and E‑Scooter Safety — NFPA official resource
NFPA Journal — FDNY Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Learnings
Drawing directly from FDNY’s operational experience, this NFPA Journal article outlines lessons learned from lithium-ion battery fires, including rapid fire growth, toxic smoke production, and challenges for suppression in residential settings. These insights are particularly relevant for training, pre-incident planning, and public education.
https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/nfpa-journal/2025/08/08/lithium-ion-battery-fires-fdny
UL Standards & Engagement — E-Bike & E-Scooter Battery Safety Action Center
From a testing and standards perspective, UL brings together research, certification frameworks, and risk mitigation strategies focused on lithium-ion batteries in personal mobility devices. This resource helps bridge the gap between product safety, consumer behaviour, and fire risk reduction.
UL E‑Bike & E‑Scooter Safety Action Center
UK Government Research on E-Bike Battery Fires
The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards has published formal reporting on fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, providing hazard data and regulatory context that supports evidence-based prevention strategies.
Fires in E‑Bikes and E‑Scooters 2024 — GOV.UK report
Fire Protection Association (FPA) — E-Bike Battery Research
This industry-linked research, conducted in support of UK regulators, examines safety issues associated with e-bike and e-scooter batteries and highlights the role of certification, charging practices, and storage conditions.
https://www.thefpa.co.uk/news/new-e-bike-battery-research-report-published?utm_source=chatgpt.com
NFCC: E-Bike & E-Scooter Fire Safety Guidance
The UK National Fire Chiefs Council has issued practical guidance for fire services and the public, recognizing the growing incidence of these fires and reinforcing safe charging and storage practices.
https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/campaigns/e-bikes-and-e-scooters-fire-safety-guidance/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Fire Safety Research Institute: Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Hazards
FSRI’s research into thermal runaway and fire growth associated with lithium-ion batteries provides a scientific foundation for understanding why these fires behave differently and why early prevention and controls matter in buildings.
FSRI Examining Lithium‑Ion Battery Fire Hazards research summary
BOMA International - Battery Fires Policy Brief
This policy brief from BOMA International addresses lithium-ion battery fires from a building owner and property management perspective, recognizing the operational and life safety implications in residential and commercial buildings.
BOMA Battery Fires Policy Brief (PDF)
FM Global (Canada & Industry Guidance)
FM Global provides respected property loss prevention datasheets on lithium-ion battery systems. Their guidance is explicitly engineering-based and used by risk managers and insurers globally, including in Canada for commercial portfolio risk and building protection.
FM Global Insights: Lithium-ion battery hazards guidance
https://www.fm.com/insights/lithium-ion-battery-hazards-fm-releases-first-ever-comprehensive-guidance
FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets (searchable list that includes lithium-ion guidance)
https://www.fmglobal.com/research-and-resources/fm-global-data-sheets
UL Standards & Engagement — How Riders Are Raising Battery Fire Risks
This report examines real-world charging behaviours, including charging near exits or in egress paths, and links them to increased fire risk. It reinforces the importance of education alongside engineering and enforcement.
https://ulse.org/insight/news-how-riders-are-unknowingly-raising-battery-fire-risks-e-mobility/
Consumer Reports — E-Bike Fire Prevention
Consumer Reports, drawing on FDNY and standards-based guidance, provides practical advice that aligns closely with fire service messaging on certification, charging, and storage.
https://www.consumerreports.org/health/electric-bikes/how-to-prevent-e-bike-fires-a2493889574/
Vancouver, Canada battery fire safety guidance
City of Vancouver battery fire prevention webpage with safety advice relevant to residents and fire safety messaging.
https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/battery-fire-prevention.aspx
Health Canada: lithium-ion battery safety guidance
Official federal guidance on safe use, charging, storage, and hazard avoidance for lithium-ion batteries, including e-mobility devices.
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/household-products/battery-safety/lithium-ion.html
Health Canada recall/safety advisory (Misuse of lithium-ion batteries)
Public advisory on dangers of battery modification and recommendation to use certified batteries, directly relevant to e-bike and e-scooter batteries.
https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/misuse-or-modification-lithium-ion-batteries-e-mobility-devices-can-be-extremely
Ontario Fire Marshal lithium-ion battery safety (Fire Prevention Week 2025)
During Fire Prevention Week 2025, the Office of the Fire Marshaland Fire Services across Ontario placed a spotlight on the growing fire safety challenge posed by lithium-ion batteries, launching the provincial campaign Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.
Through clear, practical guidance on safe use, charging, storage, and disposal, OFMEM and fire services have taken leadership strides in educating communities about how to reduce battery fire risk. This effort, backed by public safety partners across the province, reinforces basic safety behaviours, such as using manufacturer-approved chargers and not leaving devices unattended while charging, that can prevent devastating fires and support fire service response.
Fire Marshal’s Public Safety Council / OFMEM & Ontario Fire Departments
Through collaboration between the Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario, the Fire Marshal’s Public Safety Council, and Ontario fire departments, the Charged for LiFE campaign delivers clear, consistent public education on lithium-ion battery safety. The initiative reflects a coordinated, prevention-focused approach that supports residents, fire services, and community safety across the province.
The campaign is structured around four core safety principles that are easy to understand and apply in everyday settings:
Batteries – Only purchase certified batteries and continuously monitor the battery health.
Charging – Lithium-ion batteries can be a fire hazard when improperly charged.
Tampering – Never attempt to modify, tamper with, or build your own lithium-ion batteries.
Disposal – Lithium-ion batteries are household hazardous waste and should never be placed in the garbage.
By combining practical guidance with consistent messaging, Charged for LiFE strengthens public awareness, reinforces safe behaviours, and supports fire service prevention efforts throughout Ontario.
Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs — lithium-ion and electric mobility resources
The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs continues to play a leadership role in advancing awareness, training, and dialogue around lithium-ion battery hazards and electric mobility technologies. Through its resource development and national advocacy, the CAFC supports fire services in adapting to emerging risks while strengthening emergency response capability and firefighter safety.
The Association has also been consistent in highlighting the need for a National Fire Administration for Canada, recognizing that coordinated national leadership, data collection, and policy support are increasingly important as new technologies change the fire risk landscape. This work reflects a long-term commitment to strengthening fire prevention, response, and public safety across the country.
https://cafc.ca/page/green-technology
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
Lithium-ion Battery Charging Safety Factsheet
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/battery-charging-lithium-ion-batteries.pdf
Health Canada Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Factsheet (“Larger lithium-ion battery systems”)
Federal safety guidance that is also relevant for facility owners/operators.
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/household-products/battery-safety/resources/factsheet-lithium-ion-larger-battery-systems.html
Canada: standards development on lithium-ion battery storage and handling
This new standard under development, will directly support building owners where building policy meets real risk. It also references NBCC/CE Code as the backbone.
Health Canada issues Notice of intent
Proposed new requirements for lithium-ion batteries and consumer products containing lithium-ion batteries under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
This is currently open for public consultation
These patterns across continents are not suggesting that e-bikes or e-scooters are inherently unsafe. What they demonstrate is that fire risk is shaped by how lithium-ion batteries are manufactured, certified, stored, charged, and managed within buildings, and homes.
Fire safety and code compliance programs now need to reflect this reality. Updating fire safety programs to include clear guidance on approved charging and storage locations, battery certification requirements, signage, resident and staff education, and coordination with fire services helps support both occupant safety and emergency operations.
Fire prevention teams have always adapted to changing technologies, from plastics and modern furnishings to photovoltaic systems and electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries in personal mobility devices represent the next evolution. Addressing them thoughtfully and proactively builds on the strong work already underway and strengthens fire safety programs for the environments we operate in today.
If your workplace or building portfolio is navigating these changes and looking to ensure fire safety and life safety programs remain aligned with current risks, Iwe are always always open to connecting and sharing perspectives.