With lithium ion battery fires making headlines more often, UL Solutions is stepping in with a new certification program designed to bring peace of mind. The company has launched testing and evaluation services for battery containment enclosures and micromobility charging equipment. These safety-certified cabinets are increasingly showing up on city sidewalks and inside apartment buildings as the popularity of e-bikes and other battery-powered devices grows.
The goal is to reduce the risks tied to thermal runaway events, which can cause fires, explosions, and release toxic smoke. Battery containment enclosures are built to handle those situations by containing flames, gases, and even shrapnel. According to UL Solutions, the new program uses rigorous evaluations to ensure these enclosures actually do what they claim.
As someone who lives relatively close to New York City, I’ll be honest. These battery fires scare me. I’ve seen too many news stories about deadly apartment fires linked to e-bike batteries. It feels like it’s happening almost weekly. So when I hear that a trusted safety organization like UL Solutions is stepping up with real testing and certification, I take notice. This is exactly the kind of effort we need more of.
Dr. Robert Slone, senior vice president and chief scientist at UL Solutions, explained the importance of certification. He said, “The use of e-bikes is on the rise, and new products enter the market daily that tap the convenience and sustainability of batteries. Our new battery containment enclosure and micromobility charging equipment engineering evaluation, testing and certification services can help reduce the risks associated with the storage and charging of lithium ion batteries and devices.”
The certification process is based on UL 1487, a binational standard for the United States and Canada. It was created with direct input from the Fire Department of the City of New York. FDNY Hazmat Command helped shape the document, and the department is now encouraging the public to look for certified products.
“It’s really important to have third-party experts test and certify battery containment enclosures and micromobility charging equipment to make sure they meet safety standards,” said Thomas Currao, Chief of Fire Prevention at FDNY. “For battery enclosures especially, this kind of testing shows they can contain dangerous situations like thermal runaway, which will help stop fires or explosions from spreading.”
UL Solutions also announced it is testing micromobility charging equipment using UL 4900, another binational safety standard. This one focuses on electric shock and fire risks tied to the actual charging gear found in homes, offices, and public spaces.
These tests go beyond paper checks. UL evaluates how enclosures respond to real thermal runaway events, checking for their ability to contain fire, pressure, and hazardous materials. The company’s aim is to prevent emergencies from becoming disasters.
Currao emphasized that choosing certified equipment is a smart move for building safety. “That kind of protection matters, whether it’s in an apartment building, office or industrial space,” he said. “Choosing certified equipment means we’re taking smart steps to prevent battery hazards and make our city safer for the public and for our members.”
As more micromobility devices hit the streets, and as people continue to charge batteries at home and at work, certified safety gear is quickly moving from optional to essential.
