Electric bikes - blocks of flats

[pendleflyer]

Seem to have been a fair few serious fires, including a recent one (Richmond London?) where three tragically died as a result.
Just wondering if this bothers folks living in flats?
(ie what the neighbours are up to)
Have the idea that maybe "complete" electric bikes ie from original manufacturer complete with properly specced battery are very safe but that "conversions" are often a big problem. Plus even original bikes might be fitted with replcenment non OEM batteries in town.
I see a fair few electric bikes around London with TWO batteries - pretty sure they aren't original kit.
Fire brigade sensibly says that electric bikes shouldn't be charged overnight but I can't see that many people sticking to daytime charging, particularly if they need the bike to get to work/for work.

Well surely it’s the same concern as any other fire. Flats should be built so that a fire in one flat does not easily spread to other flats. The problem with grenfell was that the fire spread up the exterior cladding, I don’t think it breached the internal fire doors.
All electrical appliances can cause fire, I believe tumble driers are particularly dangerous if fluff isn’t removed regularly.

There are some (pretty expensive) e-bikes with 2 batteries as standard, but yes, conversions are more of a problem than 'proper' e-bikes. That said, I think the electric scooters and hover boards are more of a risk.

Interestingly, there have been guidance notes on this issued by industry bodies recently. It's made worse by the fact that people leave them in the hallways charging too.

Anyone worried about the safety of their flat and building should contact the local fire service to ask whether they undertake home safety visits.

My local service does, as does the London Fire Brigade https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/book-a-home-fire-safety-visit/#:~:text=During%20a%20visit%2C%20our%20officers,with%20visual%20or%20hearing%20impairments.

It's worth enquiring. If you do get a visit, you can ask specifically about fires, from whatever cause, in neighbouring flats.

correction.
>> Plus even original bikes might be fitted with replcenment non OEM batteries in town.

last two words should have read
"in time"

Rereading this I guess the problem is if people are leaving them in the corridor. If they catch fire there they could be blocking the fire escape. I assume they would not be charging though as I doubt blocks of flats have communal plugs?

Not sure if the fire on Richmond is separate to the one in Cambridge at the weekend where a mother and her two children died and several other in hospital. Fire service have said it's likely cause was an electric bike that had been plugged in to charge.

I live in a flat but have fire alarms galore and one which is connected up to the other flats and the hallway. My place is HA though and they have upped their game since Grenfell. If you live in a flat (or anywhere for that matter) I suggest you make sure your fire alarms are up to date and working and also see if you can get ones installed in communal spaces and linked to one in your flat.

According to the information we've been given, the LFB attended 8 fires caused by e-bikes and scooters in 2019, 24 in 2020, 59 in 2021 and 116 in 2022.

There are usually plug sockets in hallways to facilitate vacuuming/any works which need to happen in the halls.

apologies - was thinking of the Cambridge tragedy - should have checked before posting.

the story for anyone unaware of

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-66088503