The Government of Ontario is moving to amend the provincial Fire Code to prohibit storing electric bikes and scooters in residential hallways. This legislative push follows a significant rise in dangerous lithium-ion battery fires across the province.
The 119-incident surge in Toronto
Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop has sounded the alarm over a rising number of lithium-ion battery fires wtihin the city. As the report indicates, fire officials recorded 119 separate incidents involving these batteries as of October 28.
Chief Jessop expressed deep concern regarding the frequency of these events , noting that the primary driver is the misuse of devices for purposes they were not engineered to handle. The trend highlights a growing tension between the convenience of electric mobility and the inherent risks of high-capacity energy storage in enclosed living spaces.
Kerzner’s crackdown on battery modifications
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner is proposing significant amendments to the Ontario Fire Code to address these safety risks. The proposal includes two primary pillars of regulation:
- A total ban on storing e-bikes and e-scooters in the common areas of multi-unit dwellings, such as apartments and condominiums.
- The criminalization of battery modifications intended to increase power or capacity beyond manufacturer specifications.
According to the source, Kerzner emphasized that these changes aim to prevent thermal runaway—a catastrophic failure state that leads to intense, difficult-to-extinguish fires. The government intends to ensure that only certified batteries are utilized exactly as they were designed.
Collaborating with MP Judy Sgro on import controls
Toronto Member of Parliament Judy Sgro is working alongside Michael Kerzner to address the supply side of the battery crisis.. The provincial government is urging federal authorities to implement stricter regulations on "knockoff" or uncertified batteries entering Canada.
This collaborative effort is supported by industry stakeholders, including the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Ontario Provincial Firefighters Association. These organizations have provided critical insights into how substandard and uncertified batteries contribute significantly to the current fire crisis.
The uncertainty surrounding specific fines and enforcement
Local fire services will be tasked with the primary responsibility of enforcing these new provincial rules. This decentralized approach is intedned to allow individual municipalities to tailor their response to their specific community risks.
However, several critical details remain unverified. the source notes that the exact financial penalties for violations and the specific enforcement mechanisms are still being finalized by the Solicitor General's office. Until these structures are codified, the practical impact on residents and property managers remains unclear.
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