How many fires caused by charging of PMDs?

[LITTLEREDDOT]

35 Sembawang residents evacuated after fire linked to 3 PMAs breaks out in void deck​

The cause of the fire is under investigation. SCREENGRAB: FRANCIS KOK/FACEBOOK

Rhea Yasmine

Aug 15, 2024

SINGAPORE - Thirty-five residents were evacuated in the wee hours from a Housing Board flat in Sembawang, following a fire linked to three personal mobility aids (PMAs).
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at Block 482 Admiralty Link at about 2.10am on Aug 15.
The fire, which occurred at the void deck, was extinguished by SCDF using a water jet.
The residents were evacuated by the police as a precautionary measure. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A video capturing the aftermath of the fire shows three PMAs and several bicycles parked at the bicycle bay, as well as the nearby ceiling and wall, charred by flames.
According to statistics released by the SCDF in February, fires involving active mobility devices – including PMAs – in 2023 increased by 31 per cent from a year earlier.

 

[k1976]

CAN move all EV and PMDs to a speical floor to park?

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Resident rescued from Hougang flat in midnight blaze linked to PMD​

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire had likely started from a personal mobility device. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE

Sarah Koh

Aug 16, 2024

SINGAPORE – A resident who was trapped in a smoke-filled Hougang flat was rescued by firefighters after they forced their way into a unit that caught fire just past midnight on Aug 16.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force, in a Facebook post on Aug 16, said it was alerted to the fire at Block 313, Hougang Avenue 5 at about 12.50am.
When firefighters arrived, they found the living room of the second storey unit on fire, and one person trapped inside.
They forced their way into the flat, and found the resident in the kitchen, and brought the person out to safety while firefighters used a water jet to put out the fire.
Two people were taken to the Singapore General Hospital, and another was taken to Changi General Hospital, said SCDF. About 30 residents from neighbouring units were evacuated by the police as a precaution.
SCDF said: “As a result of the fire, the entire living room was damaged and the rest of the unit sustained heat and soot damage.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire had likely started from a personal mobility device (PMD) that was in the living room. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.”

SCDF reiterated that it is advisable not to charge batteries for an extended amount of time, leave them charging overnight or buy and use non-original batteries.
In February, SCDF released its annual statistics report, which found that there were 1,954 cases of fire in 2023 – an 8.6 per cent increase from 1,799 cases in 2022.
Fires involving active mobility devices (AMD) – such as PMDs, power-assisted bicycles and personal mobility aids – increased by 31 per cent to 55 cases in 2023, up from 42 fires in 2022.
The latest figures found that AMD-linked fires were increasing again, after steadily dropping from 2019 to 2022.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Letter of the week: Take steps to prevent PMAs from catching fire in trains​

We need stringent measures to prevent accidents from happening in our public transport system, says the writer. PHOTO: ST FILE

Aug 16, 2024

I refer to the reports “35 evacuated after fire linked to e-bike battery breaks out in Clementi flat” (Aug 9) and “Fires involving active mobility devices rise again; total number of blazes up 8.6% in 2023: SCDF” (Feb 21).
In 2021, a man died after his personal mobility device burst into flames while he was in a lift. An inquiry found that the battery had been modified. The battery was not even being charged then, yet it exploded.
We need stringent measures to prevent something like this from happening in our public transport system.
In March, the Government accepted recommendations from the active mobility advisory panel on regulations for personal mobility aids (PMAs). The scope covered certification of users of mobility scooters, speed limits and dimension restrictions for PMAs on public paths.
With mobility scooters getting more popular with the rapidly ageing population, there should be stricter rules and regulations governing their use – in particular, the fire and electrical safety standards of such devices.
All motorised personal mobility devices used on public paths must be certified to the UL2272 standard. However, this does not apply to mobility scooters.
If all mobility scooters are also required to have the UL2272 certification, with original batteries, this would discourage people from modifying the batteries. And if registration with number plates issued is also required, it would make it much easier for MRT staff to ascertain which scooters are safe to go on the trains.

Besides safeguarding the public transport system, we would also be safeguarding malls, hawker centres and homes. We should not take any chances with safety.

Candice Yeo Chay Hoon

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Sembawang residents asked to remove personal mobility devices from common areas by Aug 20​

At the 12 HDB blocks in Admiralty Link visited by The Straits Times, only four PMDs and PMAs were seen parked in bicycle spaces at the void decks. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

Vihanya Rakshika
Correspondent

Aug 20, 2024

SINGAPORE – Admiralty Drive residents have been asked to remove their personal mobility devices (PMDs) and personal mobility aids (PMAs) from the common areas and keep them in their homes.
Notices from Sembawang Town Council were put up at the void decks of Housing Board blocks in the estate off Sembawang Drive a few days ago, said residents who spoke to The Straits Times.
Residents whose PMDs and PMAs were parked in common areas were given until Aug 20 to remove them.
The town council notice also highlighted the dangers posed by PMDs and PMAs when left in high human-traffic zones like void decks, lift lobbies and corridors.
Obstructing these areas could pose significant risks, especially in emergency situations, it added.

A notice to remove PMDs and PMAs at the void deck of Block 488 Admiralty Link on Aug 19. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
PMDs and PMAs, which include devices like e-scooters and motorised wheelchairs, have been linked to several near-miss incidents involving residents, the town council said in its notice.
When The Straits Times visited the area, only a few PMDs and PMAs were seen in the common areas – most having been removed.

At the 12 HDB blocks in Admiralty Link visited by The Straits Times, only four PMDs and PMAs were seen parked in bicycle spaces at the void decks, amid the clutter of bicycles.
One resident, Mr Syafiq Amirul, said he had parked his PMD at the void deck for a few years. The 32-year-old food delivery rider said: “I saw the notice some days ago. I have already taken mine from the void deck and kept it in my house.”
Meanwhile, another resident, retired accountant Susanna Patrick, 67, said: “It is a good move to remove these devices from common areas. At least, if it catches fire, it can be contained to just the unit.”

In response to queries, Sembawang Town Council said the notice is part of its “ongoing commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents”.

Workers painting the charred walls and ceiling at the void deck of Block 482 Admiralty Link on Aug 19, following an Aug 15 fire. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
The town council also said it has received numerous complaints from residents about PMDs and PMAs blocking the common areas. These complaints often involved concerns about accessibility, especially for those with mobility issues, and general safety hazards, it said.
On Aug 15, 35 Sembawang residents were evacuated after a fire linked to three PMAs broke out at a void deck.
The town council said it has reminded residents about the proper storage of PMDs and PMAs before but this is the first time a formal notice with a specific deadline has been issued. The aim is not to punish anyone but to ensure compliance for the greater good of the community, it added.
The town council said some residents were initially reluctant to remove their PMDs or PMAs from common areas.
However, after engagement and education on the importance of keeping these areas clear, most residents have complied, the town council said.
It added that the safety of residents is its top priority and it will continue to monitor the situation and take steps to uphold these standards. It urged residents to prioritise safety and avoid actions that could jeopardise lives for personal convenience.
According to statistics released by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in February, fires involving active mobility devices – including PMAs – in 2023 increased by 31 per cent from a year earlier.
The Land Transport Authority and SCDF also have issued dos and don’ts to prevent fires involving PMDs and power-assisted bicycles.
These include using only UL2272-certified devices – which is a United States safety mark. Users should also refrain from charging devices overnight or for an extended period of time. They should also keep charging devices away from combustible materials.

Tips on fire safety for PMDs and PADs. PHOTO: FACEBOOK / SINGAPORE CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Over 100 in Yishun evacuated due to separate fires on same day linked to electric bike, PMD​

The fires occurred at Block 392 Yishun Avenue 6 (left) and Block 345 Yishun Avenue 11. PHOTOS: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS, SGFOLLOWSALL/TELEGRAM

Christie Chiu

Aug 24, 2024

SINGAPORE - More than 100 residents in Yishun were evacuated on Aug 23 in two separate fires likely caused by batteries in mobility devices.
No injuries were reported for both fires.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the first incident, which occurred at Block 392 Yishun Avenue 6, at about 1.25pm.
Firefighters forcefully entered the affected unit on the sixth floor and extinguished the fire in the living room using a water jet.
Sixteen residents from the affected block were evacuated by the police as a precautionary measure.
SCDF said that the fire involved a personal mobility device (PMD) in the living room and that preliminary findings indicated that the cause of the fire was likely to be of electrical origin from the PMD battery.
The second fire occurred at Block 345 Yishun Avenue 11. Firefighters from Yishun Fire Station were alerted to the incident at about 11.40pm, SCDF said.

An occupant who was in the unit had already evacuated before the firefighters’ arrival, and later declined to be taken to hospital.
As a precautionary measure, about 100 residents from the affected block were also evacuated by the police and SCDF.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire had likely originated from power-assisted bicycle (PAB) batteries in the bedroom, SCDF said.
Several videos of the fire posted onto the Sgfollowsall Telegram channel show that the blaze could be seen clearly from neighbouring buildings. Thick smoke is also visibly billowing out of the unit’s window.
At least three fire engines and a police car are also at the scene in the videos.

At least three fire engines and a police car were at the scene. PHOTO: SGFOLLOWSALL/TELEGRAM
More fires involving active mobility devices (AMDs) raged in 2023 compared with 2022, marking the rise of such blazes again after three years.
These fires – involving PMDs, PAB and personal mobility aids – increased by 31 per cent to 55 cases in 2023, up from 42 fires in 2022.
The latest numbers reverse the trend in AMD fires, which had dropped from 2019 to 2022.
In February, during the release of its annual statistics, SCDF said that such fires were a key fire safety concern.
“Members of the public are reminded to remain vigilant when handling their AMDs, as these fires can result in serious injuries and damage to property,” it said.

 

[Splendicker]

China made batteries

 

[Narong Wongwan]

Ban those fucking things already
Pap got no balls

 

[whistling]

waiting for one PMA to explode in mrt train

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

One person taken to hospital after power-assisted bicycle battery catches fire in Punggol flat​

The fire originated from a PAB battery that was being charged in the kitchen of a 15th-floor unit in Sumang Lane. PHOTO: SOCIAL MEDIA

Jun 03, 2024


SINGAPORE - One person was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation after the battery of a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) caught fire in a Housing Board flat in Punggol.
Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on June 2 that it was alerted to a fire at Block 232C Sumang Lane at about 9.15pm.
A photo and video seen by The Straits Times show firefighters and SCDF officers at the scene.
According to SCDF’s preliminary investigations, the fire originated from a PAB battery that was being charged in the kitchen of a 15th-floor unit.
It was extinguished by an occupant of the unit using buckets of water.

SCDF has issued an advisory reminding the public not to buy non-original batteries, and not to charge the batteries of their PABs for an extended period nor leave them charging overnight. PHOTO: SCDF

 

[Splendicker]

Batteries fire batteries fire, so what are the control measures made to the device batteries? Please don't keep sleeping on the job.