Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Fire Safety Considerations for Lift Users In the Presence of a Non-Compliant e-Bike, by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the safety fire considerations for lift users when a non-compliant bike or e-bike is brought into a lift; (b) whether there has been a thorough investigation of the recent fatal incident due to a personal mobility device that caught fire in a lift; (c) if so, whether the cause for the combustion has been identified; and (d) how can this be addressed to prevent similar incidents.

Answer:

1.     SCDF and LTA are investigating the fatal incident involving a Personal Mobility Device (PMD) that caught fire, which occurred at 537 Woodlands Drive 16 on 3 June 2021. As investigations are ongoing, it is not appropriate for us to comment further.

2.     On the Member’s questions about non-compliant e-bikes, we strongly advise the public to only use UL-2272 certified PMDs and EN-15194 compliant Power Assisted Bicycles (PABs). Non-compliant devices are dangerous because they do not meet various safety requirements. Owners of such devices should dispose of them safely, via e-waste recyclers.

3.     The inter-agency Active Mobility Fire Safety Taskforce co-chaired by SCDF and LTA develops and implements strategies to improve the safe usage of PMDs and PABs. For example, it worked with key stakeholders such as NTUC and the food delivery companies to share device safety tips with users and to encourage them to dispose of non-compliant devices. LTA has also banned the import of non-compliant PMDs and PABs into Singapore, except for certain legitimate uses such as research or re-export.