Best Practice to Address E-Bike Fire Concerns?

9/27/2022

I am a recent architectural graduate designing and developing a small apartment building with a robust dedicated bike storage room (in lieu of car parking). The goal is to foster sustainable, walkable, urban design.

My concern is the recent and growing occurrence of e-bike electrical fires often triggered by non-UL certified lithium batteries. As I understand it, electrical fires are a different animal than your traditional wood fuel fire, in so far as effective suppression, burn rate, etc.

Does current code satisfy any electrical fire concerns?

Does NFPA 13 or even 13R provide sufficient protection for tenants and occupants in this new e-bike era?

Is this a topic of discussion among the ICC and code communities?

Concerned and looking out for safety. Thanks in advance.

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16 Comments

Dan Wilder

9/27/2022 08:01:42 am

13R definitely not.13 has no guidance specific to battery charging stations or e-vehicle parking yet. I know that NFPA is actively working to address it, I can't speak to the ICC.

NFPA 855 has one small blurb for providing a 0.30 GPM/FT² over 2500 FT² - Section 4.11.2.1 of the '20 Ed. but this standard is for installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems (i.e. battery racks, UPS type systems, not charging stations).

855-Chapter 15 also dives into 13D but nothing specific to sprinkler protection.

NFPA & the Fire Protection Research Foundation has started into that area but as this is still new and a lot of testing still needed (there are a lot of configurations from just battery storage, finished assembly, charging, normal usage, post collision). The AHJ's that have started to approach this (in my area) have gone as far as required additional wall ratings, additional ventilation requirements, higher density design areas, required separation distances based on Kw hour ratings of the batteries...to name a few. The intent is control until the FD gets there, not about any sort of suppression...lots of water to keep smoke and heat to a minimum.

https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Resources/Research-Foundation/Current-projects/ProjectSummaryEVParkingGarages.ashx

https://www.nfpa.org//-/media/Files/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Building-and-life-safety/RFModernVehicleHazards-in-ParkingGarages.pdf

One more - You can download this Dutch report, upload to Google Translate and get the version language needed for some additional reading.

https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=docs

https://sprinkler.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20200709-IFV-Brandveiligheid-parkeergarages-met-elektrisch-aangedreven-voertuigen.pdf

Anthony

9/27/2022 08:05:57 am

As Dan said there is very little code. We do have plenty of data however to best design and protect these areas as Dan has shown with his links above.

In general its not an accessory or incidental hazard its the driving design point.

Greg

9/27/2022 08:11:35 am

You're correct in a concern regarding charging and batteries with rapid charging features. One of the best ways to understand potential charging problems is to read the manufacturer's instructions and warnings associated with the charging system. Length of time for charge, rapid charging, wire size requirements, fuse, GFCI are all considerations to properly design a system that will receive frequent use.

Consider a room design that mirrors something more similar to an electrical room, with a stronger consideration for fire rated separation and possibly, fire rated structure, where possible.

Detection is key to this space, whether heat or smoke will need to be carefully decided. Also, what else will be in the space that may burn. Does it co-communicate with other storage? Is the door to this space leading directly to the outside or does it lead to a common hallway. Recent New York fires illuminate the hazard of an open door to a hallway, where fire starts at the lower level. HVAC ventilation to the area should have fire dampers but a better design would be smoke dampers, drive close on alarm.

Finally sprinklers, yes. Sprinklers will provide good protection and the hazard class should follow NFPA regarding your use of the space and protections provided. Match the water size to the fire size.

Casey Milhorn

9/27/2022 08:41:27 am

Great question and all good comments. I would suggest a fire rated room, maybe even up to two hours, minimum of one hour. Detection of course, and an increased density for that one room. Extra Hazard Grp 1 at minimum. 11.2K minimum sprinklers (from everything I've read, more water, more water, and even more water on those types of fires). That means instead of a normal 2" or 4" service to the building, you might want 6" (depending on size and demand for that room). Step 1 is prevention, step 2 is detection, and step 3 is control/extinguishment.

Brian Cockburn

9/27/2022 09:52:13 am

As others have said, this is a new area of research and there aren't any firm guidelines yet.

My view is that e-bike batteries are quite small compared to those in electric cars and likely don't pose any serious new hazard. NFPA 13 would classify bike lockup rooms as 'storage' and would likely fall under Ordinary Hazard 1 as a hazard classification. This is the same hazard level used for parking garages (aside: this is changing in NFPA 13-2022 though).

Ordinary Hazard 1 requires a minimum of 0.15 gpm/sq.ft of floor area - equivalent to 1/4" of water every minute. It seems likely this would be enough water to extinguish a small battery fire, or at least control it until the fire department arrived. We should remember that sprinkler systems are to control fires; the fire department extinguishes them.

Franck

9/27/2022 09:57:22 am

Hi Brian

This is an issue.
Much bigger than it seems at first glance.
Batteries are smaller than for electric cars, but the thermal runaway is extremely problematic and if several bikes are in the same compartment, they might all be involved.

OH gr 1 might not be sufficient to control the fire.

EH Gr 1 is what is recommended for ESS (Energy Storage Systems - NFPA 855).

Jesse

9/27/2022 11:50:54 am

I have to second what Franck said here. While the e-bike batteries are indeed smaller, in aggregate they pose more risk and more opportunities for ignition. I wouldn't even consider OH-1 as a design criteria. EH-1 would be appropriate.

Brian Cockburn

9/27/2022 11:56:55 am

Hey Franck,

I agree it's an issue, but not to the extent that some think it is. E-bike batteries are not Energy Storage Systems per NFPA 855. ESS are commercial and industrial scale storage systems that electrical utilities might use to back-up the electrical grid or critical infrastructure. It seems unreasonable to lump e-bike batteries with less than 1 kWh of capacity in with industrial systems. That would be like saying I should protect my pantry to NFPA 30 because I have a variety of cooking oils stored there.

The OP was about a bike storage room in a small residential apartment - not an industrial ESS. If the room is small then EH1 might be doable, but it seems ridiculous to me to recommend a residential building have EH1 level protection for a handful of small batteries that likely won't ever catch fire one day. Even life safety must be balanced against risk and cost.

Making the room out of non-combustible construction with a good fire rating seems reasonable though.

Naseer Pasha

9/28/2022 01:32:56 am

Yes, thermal runaway is the main concern. Have a look at this news: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/270922/clues-fire-broke-out-due-to-overheating-of-electric-vehicles.html

Franck

9/28/2022 02:19:09 am

You can also have a look at these recent publications from NFPA regarding e-bikes (to be ban from public buildings in NY ?)

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2022/Summer-2022/News-and-Analysis/Dispatches/E-Bike-Ban

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2022/Fall-2022/Features/E-bikes

Brian Cockburn

9/28/2022 12:47:15 pm

I've read those articles, and the links posted by others. They don't speak to what I said earlier about e-bike batteries not being an ESS and falling under NFPA 855. It is the wrong standard to apply here.

What appears to be the case is that most e-bike related fires happen because of poorly made batteries and/or over charging. There are standards such as UL 2849 that ensure battery safety. It would be reasonable to regulate e-bike batteries and chargers to only allow sales of certified models.

These articles did not seem to mention how many e-bikes there are in existence, which is important. Fifty fires out of 100 bikes in a lot; 50 / 100,000 is minimal. There are millions of e-bikes in the USA alone. What fraction of them burn every year?

According to the NFPA there were 212,500 vehicle fires in the USA during 2020 killing 560 and injuring 1,500; but given that there are 250+ million vehicles in the USA no one thinks we should ban cars because of fire risk.

Keep in mind the human dimension as well. The potential ban in NY public housing would deprive over half a million low income people with access to mobility they can afford. Perhaps instead they could allow only e-bikes that are UL 2849 certified. That might be a sensible middle ground.

I get that people are concerned about this, especially those in the fire protection field. But we have to remember there will never be zero risk and even in our line of work there is such a thing as excessive safety. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, as they say.

Franck

9/27/2022 09:52:27 am

This is definetely a growing concern for the very next future (in combination with photovoltaic panels put on roofs, but this is another story).
As indicated, little guidance so far on how to install and protect. It is the same for electric vehicle (same concern, sma e consequences).
The only thing we know is that we need a huge amount of water and for an extensive duration as the fire may restart again and again for many hours.
Normally, the only way to really out out the fire is to put the battery in a container full of water (this is the procedure as well in a plane with your phone... if the battery starts to make problems, they put the phone in a container full of water).
So best to provide this area as far as possible to houses and any building/storage area. If not feasible, to prvide sufficient fire rating on walls and doors and provide a strong sprinkler system.
As indicated above (Casey & Dan, 0.3 gpm/sq ft with large orifice sprinklers is a minimum.

Some interesting links in complement to the ones from Dan:

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2022/Summer-2022/News-and-Analysis/Dispatches/E-Bike-Ban

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/NFPA-Journal/2022/Fall-2022/Features/E-bikes

Tim

9/28/2022 01:35:09 am

I am not convinced that large amounts of water is always the appropriate solution to all Li-Ion battery hazard. The problem is penetration of your extinguishing medium in this case water. Vehicles are generally designed to keep water out. Further batteries are always installed under the vehicle and also placed centre towards the back. Application of high density from the top do not really get to the seat of the fire in the case of EV's.

If we take on the other hand battery cells stored similar to a storage application or in use similar to UPS room high density roof application can get to the seat of the fire. In the case of E-Bikes the risk would be presented in smaller cell packs with much less obstruction that would be common to EV's. It would make logical sense that EH1 will be more affective. In bike store room absolutely high density is the way to go. Depending on location of the store fire compartment 60 minutes plus would be appropriate.

Franck

9/30/2022 09:36:49 am

You're probably right in saying that sprinklers from the top will probably not extinguish the fire at the batteries that are located underneath the car and pretty well protected from the water spray.
But it may prevent a quick fire spread to adjacent vehicles and enables the firefigthers to concentrate on one vehicle rather than multiple vehicles.

Multiple tests are performed at the moment to determine how to protect EV in parking structures as this is a growing concern with more and more EV in service.
Some links have been provided above by Dan on such reserches.

In France, Renault has worked with fire and emergency services to design inlet ports through which, in case of fire, water can be applied directly to the lithium-ion batteries in its electric vehicles.
The “Fireman Access” gives fire-fighters fast and direct access to a burning battery on either Renault or Dacia plug-in hybrid and EV models.
This “Fireman access” consists in 2 thermal elements located on the car that will open in case of fire to enable a direct access with water from fire hoses.

More information at:
https://www.renaultgroup.com/en/news-on-air/top-stories-2/a-fireman-at-renault-group-engineering/

Brian Hoole

10/12/2022 03:01:44 pm

I would venture that increasing the overhead protection in a parking garage is important due to modern vehicles having more plastic in their composition. Whereas the charging stations for electronic vehicles would be similar to a utility closet in an apartment in that the area should not increase the hazard of the greater area. However, Grate Nozzles as seen in aircraft hangers or a reduced size version should be considered for protection beneath the vehicles at the charging stations similar to protection beneath an aircraft. Through application of water from above and below at the charging stations since they have the highest hazard the fires should be more easily controlled.

Angelo Verzoni link

10/21/2022 02:29:27 pm

Hi everyone!

I work for the National Fire Protection Association, and I wanted to share a brand-new webpage we have created to address the fire safety concerns related to e-bikes and e-scooters. As has been mentioned in this thread, there is not yet a lot of guidance in fire or building codes on this topic, but there are listings for devices and device batteries as well as steps consumers can take to stay safer. The new webpage includes a link to a free, downloadable tip sheet that has all of this info in one place.

Thank you!

https://www.nfpa.org/ebikes

Best Practice to Address E-Bike Fire Concerns?

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