The Homeowners’ Company Community (OCN) will host a free on-line webinar on Thursday, February 15 from 12pm to 1pm on the rising significance of rechargeable lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries to high-rise dwelling.
These batteries are actually probably the most widespread moveable vitality storage answer globally. This is because of their use in a variety of shopper merchandise reminiscent of cell phones, laptops and a rising array of dwelling home equipment and instruments.
However what has introduced li-ion batteries to the fore in residential strata is their use in private transportation gadgets reminiscent of e-bikes and e-scooters. It’s because some li-ion recharging incidents have brought on fires, leading to severe accidents and in depth property harm.
One latest instance occurred in January 2024 the place a defective li-ion e-bike battery brought on a devastating hearth in a North Bondi residence. An e-bike had been left to cost in a bed room unit in a single day, resulting in a hearth within the early hours, which subsequently engulfed the beachside residence.
Attending the occasion, the Fireplace and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has publicly warned of the dangers posed by li-ion battery failure which may embody extreme burns, chemical publicity, and smoke inhalation. Added to this, fires arising from li-ion batteries are troublesome to extinguish and will spontaneously reignite.
Which means that hearth emergency providers are required to dedicate vital sources to guard shoppers from fires brought on by li-ion batteries.
Additionally expressing grave considerations concerning the rising variety of incidents involving li-ion batteries is the Australian Competitors and Client Fee (ACCC). In a latest report they warn of the hazards that may come up from low-quality batteries, unsafe charging practices, unauthorised repurposing or modification and storage failures, reminiscent of when they’re uncovered to warmth or moisture.
The ACCC’s report additionally identifies the dangers surrounding the disposal of li-ion batteries. Particularly, their chemical make-up means they could ignite upon publicity to circumstances which might be widespread throughout family waste disposal, reminiscent of compaction or publicity to warmth or moisture. This can lead to intense and protracted fires in communal waste areas which might be troublesome and harmful to extinguish.
This now leaves residential strata communities with vital challenges relating to how greatest to handle this rising use of li-ion batteries of their residence blocks. There are questions round what methods house owners’ companies (OCs) can mitigate these dangers and whether or not, actually, OCs have authority to manage what residents do of their personal tons.
Added to this, there’s uncertainty round what fire-fighting capability OCs now must take care of due to defective li-ion battery incidents.
Whereas state rules differ, that is shared problem throughout all Australian states, which is why the OCN is internet hosting a free webinar on February 15 the place a panel of specialists will talk about:
- hearth dangers throughout widespread lithium-ion battery merchandise;
- really helpful code of conduct for widespread lithium-ion battery powered gadgets;
- professional recommendation (together with a abstract of responses and submissions relating to the EV hearth danger); and
- recommendation from the Insurance coverage Council of Australia.
Audio system embody Fred Tuckwell (OCN chair), Emma Sutcliffe (EV FireSafe common supervisor) and Ross de Rango (Electrical Automobile Council head of Infrastructure).
The webinar is free, and you’ll register your attendance on-line •
