Charging devices with non-original parts can destroy homes and lives
The Active Mobility Fire Safety Taskforce co-chaired by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) first launched the Be Device-Safe Programme in 2023. The programme aims to educate users of motorised Active Mobility Devices (AMDs) such as Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) or Power-Assisted Bicycles (PABs) about the risk of AMD-related fires and how to safely use and maintain these devices.
2 This year, LTA, SCDF, People’s Association (PA) Sembawang West Community Emergency and Engagement Committee (C2E), together with Ms Poh Li San, Grassroots Adviser to Sembawang West Grassroots Organisations (GROs), jointly unveiled the programme’s new visual during the Sembawang West Community Resilience Day[1] at Woodlands Mart [see Annex A]. The visual will focus on raising awareness that using and charging devices with non-original parts can destroy homes and lives. Specifically, it hopes to educate AMD users on how an illegally modified AMD is a severe fire risk, encourage the use of compliant devices, and emphasise that safe device usage is a collective responsibility.
3 Starting from Sembawang West, LTA, SCDF and PA C2Es will conduct community outreach efforts at various community events such as the Community Resilience Day programme over the rest of the year and in 2025. Posters carrying advisory messages will also be displayed at HDB lift lobbies island wide. The taskforce will also work with food delivery companies to disseminate educational materials to their delivery partners.
Illegally modified devices main cause of fire
4 In 2023, 60% of AMD fires resulted from illegally modified devices, typically caused by an electrical anomaly in their battery. Investigations conducted by SCDF and LTA showed that most AMD-related fires were caused by modifications to the device electrical circuitry by using non-original parts or installation of additional batteries. Some of these fires have resulted in property damage, injuries, and even the loss of lives [see Annex B].
5 The number of AMD-related fires has also increased from 42 cases in 2022 to 55 in 2023. There have also been more cases of AMDs catching fire at public residential common areas, with 15 such cases in 2023 compared to 12 in 2022. From 1 January to 30 June 2024, SCDF responded to 28 AMD-related fires [2]. We would like to remind owners that placing their AMDs at common areas can pose fire risks. In particular for locations such as corridors and staircases, they will obstruct the escape path for residents during an emergency.
Regulatory and Enforcement Efforts
6 LTA has implemented regulatory requirements on such devices, mandating compliance with UL2272 (for motorised PMDs) and EN15194 (for PABs) standards. These standards require the devices to pass a series of tests including the safety of their electrical systems. Only those which meet the standards are allowed to be imported and used into Singapore. In addition, e-scooters must be registered and inspected periodically to ensure they have not been illegally modified.
7 Regular enforcement is also carried out against errant users and retailers [see Annex C]. Around 1,020 non-compliant AMDs were seized last year. Those found using non-compliant AMDs may be fined up to $10,000 and/or face imprisonment for up to 6 months. A repeat offender may be fined up to $20,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months. Since 2020, LTA has also engaged second-hand online retailers to remove sale of non-compliant devices and batteries. For instance, six listings of non-compliant devices were removed from Carousell platform earlier this year as they were non-UL certified, which posed a great fire risk.
8 The Active Mobility Fire Safety Taskforce will press on with efforts to raise public awareness of the dangers of using non-compliant AMDs, tips on safe usage of AMDs, as well as how to dispose AMDs properly. The public can find out more, including safe charging practices, via the Be Device-Safe information pack at https://go.gov.sg/bedevicesafe and fire safety tips on https://go.gov.sg/pmdpabfiresafetytips.
9 Everyone has a role to play in keeping our homes and neighbourhoods safe from fires. We urge device owners to do their part and ensure that they only use compliant devices for their own safety as well as that of their families and the community. Residents who detect fire hazards can report it to their respective Town Councils, Management Corporations, or to the SCDF via the myResponder app (available for iOS and Android).
ANNEX A – Be Device-Safe Visual for 2024
ANNEX B – Recent Cases of Active Mobility Device (AMD) Fires
ANNEX C – Recent Enforcement Efforts
