E-bike fire safety in blocks of flats: managing lithium-ion battery risks from e-bikes and e-scooters

Why these fires are different

E-bikes and e-scooters use lithium-ion batteries. When a cell fails – through damage, a manufacturing fault, a poor-quality battery or an incompatible charger – it can enter thermal runaway: a self-sustaining reaction that releases intense heat and toxic, flammable gases, sometimes explosively. These fires can develop very quickly and are hard to put out.

The London Fire Brigade has warned that fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters are increasing as their use becomes more widespread, and that many occur in homes or communal areas while batteries are charging.

Your duties as responsible person

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must consider how e-bikes and e-scooters are stored and charged in the building. The London Fire Brigade's guidance for responsible persons says the fire risk assessment should consider:

• Where e-bikes and e-scooters are stored
• Whether batteries are charged in communal areas
• Whether escape routes could be obstructed
• How residents are told about the risks

For higher-risk buildings, the golden thread should also record resident precautions such as safe storage and charging – see the golden thread.

Common parts: keep escape routes clear

Corridors, lobbies and stairwells are escape routes. A fire there can trap residents and block firefighters. Storage and charging of e-bikes and e-scooters in these areas should be prohibited, enforced and checked during routine inspections. Bin stores, plant rooms and electrical intake cupboards aren't suitable either.

Options for storage and charging

If you want to provide somewhere for residents to keep e-bikes, consider:

• Dedicated external storage, separated from the building, escape routes and openings
• Fire-resisting construction and detection if storage has to be inside the building
• No charging in shared storage unless it has been specifically designed and assessed for it
• Clear rules – what can be stored, where, and who's responsible

Each option needs assessing for the specific building – see our EV, solar and battery fire risk assessments.

Inside flats

What residents do in their own flats is governed mainly by their lease or tenancy, not the Fire Safety Order. But the responsible person can – and should – give clear safety information. Fire services advise:

• Buy e-bikes, e-scooters, batteries and chargers from reputable sellers
• Use the correct charger
• Don't charge while asleep or out, and unplug once charged
• Don't charge or store them on escape routes, including in the flat's hallway
• Make sure there's a working smoke alarm where they're charged
• Watch for warning signs – heat, swelling, leaking, hissing or a strange smell

Writing an e-bike fire safety policy that works

A good policy is proportionate, clear and enforceable: it explains the risk, sets simple rules for common parts, gives safety advice for flats, and says what happens if rules are broken. Check it against the lease, and build it into new-resident packs and annual fire safety information.

Signs of a failing battery

Tell residents to stop using a battery and seek advice if it:

• Gets hot to the touch while charging or in use
• Swells, bulges or leaks
• Makes hissing or popping noises
• Gives off an unusual smell or smoke

Insurance

Insurers increasingly ask how lithium-ion battery risks are managed in residential buildings. A clear policy, a fire risk assessment that addresses e-bikes, and evidence that common parts are kept clear will help with renewals.

Our fire risk assessments cover lithium-ion battery risks, and we can help you write a policy and assess storage options.

Sources

• London Fire Brigade – #ChargeSafe guidance for responsible persons
• NFCC – E-bikes and e-scooters fire safety guidance

This guide is general information based on the law and guidance in England as at 8 November 2026. It isn't legal advice – for advice on a specific building, get in touch.