Agenda item

The paper supported the presentation to the Committee and provided an overview of lithium battery-related Accidental Dwelling Fires (ADFs) in Lancashire, including scale, trends, product types, locations, casualty impact, and the implications for prevention and risk management activity.

Area Manager, Matt Hamer informed Members that the increasing prevalence of consumer products powered by lithium-ion batteries presented an emerging and distinct fire risk within domestic settings. Those products were widely used, frequently charged within living spaces, and were often associated with poor charging practices, battery degradation, or non-compliant devices. The presentation summarised Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s (LFRS) analysis of lithium battery-related ADFs using enhances incident recording and retrospective data interrogation.

A custom incident recording question set was introduced into the Incident Recording System (IRS) in June 2023 to improve identification of lithium battery-related fires. To ensure earlier incidents were captured, keyword searches of free-text fields were also applied, recognising that many lithium-powered products were described inconsistently (e.g. vapes, e-cigarettes, electronic cigarettes). The combined approach strengthened confidence that lithium battery-related incidents were being consistently identified across the dataset.

Over the most recent three-year period, LFRS attended 93 lithium battery-related accidental dwelling fires. Incident levels had remained broadly static, averaging 31 incidents per year. During the same period, LFRS attended 2,123 accidental dwelling fires in total, meaning lithium battery-related fires accounted for 4.4% of all ADFs.

In 58% of incidents (54 fires), the product involved was recorded generically as lithium-ion batteries, reflecting limitations in the information available at incident level. Other identified product types included:

-        E-Bikes,

-        E-Scooters,

-        E-appliance chargers,

-        E-cigarette and similar devices,

-        Portable electronic equipment.

This indicated risk across a wide range of consumer products, not limited to any single category.

The most common locations for fire ignition were:

-        Bedrooms – 23.7% (22 incidents),

-        Living rooms – 19.4% (18 incidents),

-        Kitchens – 16.1% (15 incidents).

These findings demonstrated that lithium battery fires most frequently originated in occupied living and sleeping areas which increased the potential for life risk.

In terms of Geographic Distribution, the three highest incident districts together accounted for 45.2% of all lithium battery-related ADFs.

There were 13 recorded casualties from 8 incidents:

-        61.5% (8) resulted in slight injuries,

-        23.1% (3) resulted in serious injuries,

-        15.4% (2) resulted in fatalities.

Although the overall number of incidents was relatively modest, the proportion of serious injury and fatal outcomes indicated that lithium battery fires could have severe consequences, particularly when fires developed rapidly in domestic settings.

Analysis highlighted several important risk characteristics:

-        Lithium battery fires were consistently occurring year-on-year rather than emerging as a short-term spike.

-        Incidents predominantly occurred in habitable rooms, increasing life risk.

-        A wide range of everyday consumer products were involved, many of which were used and charged without formal safety oversight.

The findings reinforced the importance of:

-        Targeted public safety messaging on safe charging, storage, and disposal of lithium battery products,

-        Integration of lithium battery risk into home fire safety check advice and campaigns,

-        Continued improvement in data quality and incident identification,

-        Ongoing monitoring to identify any future growth linked to increased uptake of electric mobility and portable devices.

Additionally, Area Manager, Matt Hamer informed Members that from a regulatory perspective, a Private Member’s Bill for lithium-ion battery safety had been put forward to the House of Lords and was currently its second reading.

The Chair queried whether the source of purchase for lithium-ion batteries impacted on the number of fires. Area Manager, Matt Hamer explained that the majority of fires related to the tampering and modifying of products, over charging or incorrect charging, and charging with damaged chargers. It was acknowledged that cost was an influential factor in the type of charger purchased, however, the Service encouraged the purchase of batteries with incorporated safety features. The Service worked closely with Trading Standards, gathering evidence, to assist in closing down opportunistic, unsafe, online sellers.

In response to a question from Councillor Sidat in relation to the work of Prevention regarding lithium-ion battery fires, Area Manager, Matt Hamer explained that the Service had developed a dedicated electrical safety campaign which was informed by the annual analysis of incident data and ran prior to times when incidents were most likely to occur. The campaign in the winter period comprised of heating safety messages with the charging safety campaign delivered in October/November, in advance of the purchase of electrical gifts at Christmas. In addition to working closely with Trading Standards, the Service also promoted national campaigns such as the ‘Register my Appliance’ campaign. It was noted by Members that learning taken from fatal incidents had informed subsequent education packages.

The Chair requested further information on mobile phone related bedroom fires. Area Manager, Matt Hamer highlighted that the fires were most likely to occur when batteries were damaged causing over-heating when charging which could result in thermal-runaway. High-quality products had in-built safety features and had battery-performance intelligence. Low-quality and modified products for phones posed a safety risk for a significant battery fire.

County Councillor Tetlow referenced a fatal incident where an electric scooter ignited in a lift. Area Manager, Matt Hamer stated that the ignition of batteries did occur and was a recognised hazard. Some new buildings were designed with charging points on exit routes, and the Service were influencing design practice to ensure escape routes remained clear.

In response to a query from Councillor S Sidat regarding safety provision in schools, Area Manager, Matt Hamer explained that with the increase of electronic device use within schools, a school education package had been developed for young people and also teachers, in relation to safe charging practices. During holiday periods, engagement would take place with schools to ensure safe shutdown procedures. Advice had also been requested from schools on fire risk assessments to include pupils travelling to school on e-scooters and bikes.

The Chair requested a more detailed breakdown of lithium-ion battery related accidental dwelling fires in relation to districts. Area Manager, Matt Hamer advised that data would be broken down to wards in Lower Super Output areas to identify causes of fires and target specific risk. Details of the ward and causation for the high numbers of incidents could be provided to Members.

County Councillor Aidy Riggott commented that, while the number of fires in some districts was proportionate to their population, there were instances where districts with lower populations recorded a surprisingly high number of fires. Area Manager, Phil Jones highlighted that many large districts had a high number of delivery drivers and individuals using modified e-bikes which posed safety risks, particularly whilst charging. Area Manager, Matt Hamer added that comparable district data would be provided for context.

County Councillor J Tetlow remarked that more legislation was needed to regulate e-bikes and prevent modifications. As part of the Road Safety Partnership, the Service worked with the police who were aware that electric-powered two-wheeled vehicles were a significant issue. During Operation Centurion, the police had the power to seize illegal e-bikes, many of which had been modified. Due to the speed and noise of e-bikes, there was also a link to organised crime and anti-social behaviour. The Chair asked if regulated enforcement could be adopted and penalties imposed to deter for individuals from riding e-bikes without a licence. Area Manager, Matt Hamer stated that the police have enforcement powers to seize and crush vehicles. E-bike issues were reported back to the National Fire Chiefs Council as it was a high-profile topic.

County Councillor A Riggott stated that if individuals were shown the end result of e-bikes and e-scooters that had been crushed, it could act as a deterrent. Area Manager, Matt Hamer replied that he could feed that back to the police.

County Councillor A Riggott moved to note the report and presentation; seconded by Councillor J Tetlow.

Resolved: - That the Performance Committee noted the report and presentation.