Electric bicycles, as a common means of transportation, are convenient and efficient; however, fire safety must not be overlooked. What are the causes of fires involving electric bicycles? What fire safety guidelines should be followed in areas where electric bicycles are parked and charged?
I. Causes of Electric Vehicle Fires
1. Aging wiring: Over time, the internal wiring of electric vehicles is prone to aging, short-circuiting, and even ignition.
2. Battery short circuit: Over time, the internal wiring of an electric vehicle battery can become prone to short circuits, leading to spontaneous combustion.
3. Overcharging: Overcharging can cause the battery to overheat, swell, or even explode; charging typically takes 8 to 10 hours.
4. Unauthorized wiring: Illegally and haphazardly connecting electrical wires to charge electric vehicles can easily cause short circuits and subsequent fires.
II. It is strictly prohibited to park or charge electric vehicles indoors or in building corridors.
Experiments have demonstrated that once an electric vehicle catches fire, the combustion is rapid, the heat release rate is high, and toxic smoke spreads upward at an alarming rate, quickly filling the entire building with dense, poisonous fumes. This极易 leads to casualties, and can even result in mass fatalities and injuries in fire incidents.
III. Fire Safety Guidelines for Parking and Charging Electric Vehicles
1. Electric vehicles shall be parked and charged in a designated, separate outdoor area (such as a carport or garage), which must maintain a specified safety distance from adjacent buildings.
2. Where it is not feasible to designate a separate area and the facility must be accommodated within the building, it may only be located on the ground floor or the basement level, and must comply with applicable fire safety requirements.
3. Electric bicycles and other electric vehicles are strictly prohibited from being parked or charged indoors in residential buildings, including evacuation routes, emergency exits, stairwells (including doorways), landing corridors, and elevator lobbies.
4. Electric bicycles and scooters are strictly prohibited from being parked or charged in shared rental housing and other densely populated areas. Charging of electric bicycles or their batteries is also prohibited inside residential units and on balconies.
5. Centralized charging areas for electric vehicles shall be equipped with charging stations. Such stations shall be fitted with functions such as timed power-off, overload protection, short-circuit protection, and leakage protection.
