Holguín among the most affected provinces by fires in electric motorcycles
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Specialists from the Department of Extinction of the Cuban Fire Department (CBC) pointed out today that the inappropriate exploitation of electric motorcycles with gel or lithium batteries has caused fires with serious damage to the population, and Holguín is among the provinces most affected by these incidents.
Major Jercy González Longo and Lieutenant Carlos Rodríguez Orosa explained, through an article published on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), that based on the analysis carried out by the CBC together with experts from Breakdown, Explosions and Fires (AVEXI), and the information provided by those affected, the fires originate from the malfunction of the lithium ion battery caused by the use of unsuitable chargers.
Likewise, the occurrence of these disasters is affected by incorrect scrubbing of vehicles, using high-pressure water jets, in addition to not allowing the battery to cool down to room temperature before beginning its charge or embarking on a journey.
Among other causes of fire are the removal of the original electrical safety devices; the use of improper electrical adaptations and lithium batteries manufactured by persons who do not have certification or authorization for this purpose; use of defective outlets; exposure to high temperatures and charging directly exposed to solar radiation.
The note indicates that, despite the measures adopted, so far this year the CBC has provided assistance in more than 300 fires originating in vehicles with lithium-ion batteries.
Most of the fires in electric motorcycles constitute beginnings of fires without great importance; on the other hand, others develop in environments with a high fuel load, which is why they acquire greater proportions, with a balance of serious human and material losses, such as those that occur inside the houses.
Since 2019, some three thousand fires associated with this means of transport have been registered, in which some 200 people have been affected, including deaths and injuries, and causing millions in material losses.
More than 67 percent (%) of these incidents occur between 10 pm and 7 am, so many of the victims have been surprised during sleep hours, hence the cases with fatal outcome are those that occurred in the households.
According to the statistics provided by the note, the most affected provinces are Havana, Matanzas Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, Ciego de Ávila and Holguín.
The events take place in garages, homes and residential buildings, as well as in workplaces. Others have originated on public roads, affecting the motorcycle but also nearby vehicles and homes.
In accordance with Law 1268 on fire protection and Law 116, Labor Code, the Ministry, through the CBC, has taken various measures to counteract these dangers, which includes the coordination with marketers so that fire safety measures are included in the operating manual.
In addition, the CBC specialists has been trained to increase the demand in state control inspections, as well as for the response to emergencies, which included the training and certification in this matter abroad of two security engineers against fires, and the subsequent replication in the country of the knowledge acquired.
The experience of other countries and the specificities of the Cuban environment are also investigated with the aim of projecting technical normative regulations for the use and exploitation of electric and hybrid vehicles. (Source: ACN)
