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Lithium fires spur action
Lithium-ion batteries are being blamed for three distinct fires that occurred just last week in Toronto, and CTV News says the batteries may face regulations in Canada.
“about 80 lithium-ion battery-related fires in the country’s largest city”
Noovo Info, translating a CTV News article, reports that since the start of the year there have been about 80 lithium-ion battery-related fires in Toronto, with 14 injuries and two deaths.
Toronto Fire Services shift supervisor Peter Rappos said, “This represents a 35% increase, and these incidents have also caused 14 injuries and two deaths.”
Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop said careless handling and the influx of inexpensive and unregulated batteries raise concerns, adding, “We have no idea who tested them. We have no idea what standards they meet.”
Thermal runaway explained
In a fire this week in a downtown Toronto apartment building, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop noted that 10 other electric bikes and micromobility devices were found stored in a single apartment.
Fire services in several Canadian cities are also warning about the growing risk posed by lithium-ion batteries after multiple fires in Alberta and Ontario, including at least three incidents in Calgary within 24 hours last week.
Calgary Fire Department public information officer Alex Kwan explained, “If this battery is damaged, it enters what is called thermal runaway,” and said that is “where the fire will accelerate very quickly and grow in magnitude.”
The article says Transport Canada regulates the labeling, transport, and handling of lithium batteries, while Health Canada conducted a public consultation on a regulatory proposal concerning lithium-ion batteries.
Regulatory next steps
Health Canada told CTV News in an email that while a full analysis of feedback is still ongoing, “the introduction of mandatory safety requirements has received broad support.”
“the introduction of mandatory safety requirements has received broad support”
The public health agency is determining “the next steps to ensure the safety of lithium-ion batteries sold in Canada, including a possible regulatory proposal.”
In Ontario, the office of the Fire Commissioner oversees fire safety codes, and CTV News says it asked the Ontario Fire Commissioner’s Office whether it was taking steps to work with municipalities to revise the fire safety code regarding certain lithium-powered devices but it was unable to respond before its deadline.
Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop argued that “we need the federal government to join us in working together, and we need the Fire Commissioner to participate in discussions to examine potential amendments to the fire prevention code,” and the article notes that after a December 2023 subway car fire in Toronto caused by a lithium battery from an electric bike, the TTC banned electric bikes in its stations, buses, streetcars, and subways for the entire winter season.