Dealing with fire and safety hazards posed by PMDs

Personal mobility devices (PMDs) continued to generate much debate among TODAY readers this past week.

On Friday (July 26), the Singapore Civil Defence Force said there were 54 reported fires involving mobility devices from January to June this year, more than double the 24 reported in the same period last year. 

This followed the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) announcement on Tuesday that it is considering bringing forward the end-2020 deadline for all motorised PMDs to meet fire-safety standards. The move comes after recent fires related to the charging of non-UL2272-certified devices, the LTA said. Just on Monday, a PMD in an Ang Mo Kio flat likely sparked a fire.

In light of these developments, some readers suggested that public charging points be set up away from homes, while others said timer plugs could be used to set charging times. Some also called for more public education and enforcement, while several offered suggestions on how to improve safety for pedestrians.     

That's nine fires on average per month or one fire every three-four days? That is alarming. TAN MING CHEONG VICTOR

As a rider, PMD owner and cyclist, I urge that the non-UL2272-certified e-scooters be taken off the paths and park-connector networks as soon as possible. I believe that there are still many out there who are modifying these scooters illegally for speed and longer rides. As such, many of these people are not trained and pose a danger to many others. Speed thrills but it also kills, and many people ignore this fact. HILARION IGNATIUS G

We have to stop them at source, and impose stringent checks on importers and sellers. Most people buy them because they are cheaper and do not consider the consequences. Then there are those devices purchased before the deadline and may have a high chance of combustion. This group must be advised to change their batteries, but then again, would they? BETTY NAH

Good to remind and educate the public on such requirements, especially fire safety, which can affect lots of people. But the question is, how to enforce? What are the penalties, especially for errant retailers? YONG NGUAN LIM 

To prevent overcharging batteries, they should use a timer plug. I use a timer plug for my phone and it cuts off electrical power based on the settings. KIHON GO 

Most chargers will have an automatic cut-off after a full charge. I think the problem lies in the lack of knowledge dealing with wiring. Exposed wires can cause flash fires. Heat is most important — overcharging a heated battery will damage the inner linings and other things in the battery. Signs are bloating and bulging. MOHD HYDER

So how will the LTA ensure only UL2272-compliant PMDs are on public paths by 2021? JASMINE LIM

The problem is, after one to two years, people just go to the Internet and buy a replacement battery. That's where the problem is. STINGRAYYEO YEO 

When living in an apartment building, don't be selfish. Sigh. These PMDs are clearly a fire hazard. Charging should be done at proper charging stations. MARESSA ZAHIRAH 

Have a sheltered charging-station area away from flats, so that people could park their PMDs and charge at the same time. JEFF LONG 

Since there seems to be either no plans or reluctance to ban PMDs, why not place charging docks in open spaces, but away from the void decks? Invent docks that can be plugged in for most PMDs and such that they can be switched off once they are done charging. EVALEEN TAN

One has already died (in a PMD-linked fire in a Bukit Batok flat). How many more innocent people and neighbours have to be affected for the authorities to call for an outright ban till better technologies and controls can assure safer products? LEO LEONG 

It's scary to know many recent fires were caused by PMDs that were overcharged. I wonder how long a PMD should be charged. We can't say all types of PMDs should be banned just because of recent fire incidents and accidents on pathways. This is because some of us use PMDs to earn a living. We just need to be more careful not to overcharge them, and not to speed on pathways, walkways and so on. NORANITA KAMIS

Can the authorities also add the requirement for all e-scooters to be equipped with a horn or bell to alert pedestrians on the pavements? One just swished at high speed from behind me recently before I could even step away. YEO POH CHYE TOMMY 

Install speed breakers on walkways, near tourist attractions and on park connectors. The Government may also wish to consider having a Certificate of Entitlement system for PMDs. The monies collected can be used to compensate those injured by errant PMD users. PVSR NAIDU

These comments were first posted on TODAY’s Facebook page or sent to Voices. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length.