Your electrical devices bursting into a fireball is uncommon but not unheard of. I mean, remember the global recall of Samsung Note 7?
The issue had stemmed from defective batteries within the smartphones.
Read Also:Â S’pore’s Favourite Ah Lian Salesgirl Speaks Out About Her Inspiring Story
Defective Samsung phones aside, another common device that breaks out into a fire from time to time in Singapore are Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs).
Advertisements
Like what happened in Punggol yesterday.
E-Scooter in Punggol Burst into Fire
Yesterday (25 September 2018), a PMD at Blk 326C Sumang Walk in Punggol caught fire in the morning. Smoke could be seen coming out of a unit on the fourth floor when the SCDF arrived.
The PMD was left charging in the kitchen, according to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), when it lit on fire.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported and the fire was quickly extinguished. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
But it was revealed that the fire could’ve been caused by the battery pack of the PMD.
Number of Incidents Increasing Year By Year
Since 2016, there were more than 80 fire incidents with motorised PMDs. That’s a lot, by the way.
And the incidents happened typically when the devices are charging.
Advertisements
Which is why the SCDF would like to ask the public to take note of the following:
- Don’t leave your device to charge overnight
- Place on hard flat surfaces for optimal dissipation of heat
- Don’t place the device near flammable materials or along a fire-escape route when charging
- Examine your battery to see if it’s bloated, corroded or powdery
New Fire Safety Standards To Be Implemented By 2021
Due to the increasing number of exploding PMDs, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) decided that something had to be done about it.
The LTA is looking into making PMDs safer for everybody by making the UL2272 safety standard a requirement in all motorised PMDs from Jan 2021.
Retailers are required to stop selling non-compliant motorised PMDs from Jul next year.
Users of non-compliant PMDs, however, are allowed to continue using them until the end of 2020.
Advertisements
The Ministry of Transport urges the public to get the UL2272-compliant devices as soon as possible.
(Article continues below) Xing Xing is a 34-year-old Singaporean lady who decides to meet up with an online friend she found in Facebook. But it turns out that he’s not what he seems to be: Prepare boxes of tissue and watch the saddest Singapore Facebook love story here:
(Since you’re here, subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more informative videos lah)
The New Fire Safety Standard Will Outlaw 90% Of Current PMDs in S’pore
Most PMDs sold in Singapore were made in China, and the UL2272 safety standard is an independent US certification company.
Which means you’re not allowed to sell most, if not all, of your PMDs in Singapore. Devices that you’ve spent money getting into Singapore.
Advertisements
And while there’s still time to sell the PMDs before Jul 2019, who’s going to buy PMDs that’ll “expire” in 2 years?
The companies have to get their PMDs certified before business can continue as usual.
With the impending new ruling, one e-scooter model stood out: the Segway Ninebot ES2. It meets the legal requirement and retails at about $670 to $799, though it’s, of course, sold out.
More models that meet the requirement might come in soon, but they could cost more as getting a model to be UL2272-certified cost about $50,000 to $100,000: just imagine how many e-scooters they need to sell to cover the cost.
No doubt these costs would be passed down to the consumers, which means it’s going to get more expensive.
Always bored during your commute to and fro work or school? Here’s the best solution: download our app for new articles, Facebook videos and YouTube videos that are updated daily…and most importantly, exclusive contents that are only available in our app! It’s your perfect companion for your daily commute!
Advertisements
Click Here to Download the App!Â
These GRCs & SMCs will have the toughest fights in GE2025; here’s why:
Read Also:
- Former Radio DJ Billy Wang Loses 21kg in Three Months, Returns to Singapore for Election
- PM Wong Warns Against Foreign Political Interference and Identity Politics During Election
- SDP Candidate Dr Gigene Wong Issues Two Apologies after Using Racial Slur to Describe Teammate during Election Rally
- Man Plans to Sell Flat After Neighbour Washes Floor 10 Times Daily with Chemical Mixture and Makes Noises at Night
- China Cancels 12,030 Tons of US Pork Orders amid 172% Tariff Standoff with Trump Administration
- These Are the 5 GRCs / SMCs That Will Have a Tight Contest in GE2025
