UL2272 requirements: Scoot on the right side of the law
By Lingam Palam
Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) have hogged the headlines, with a spate of fires prompting the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to move its safety certification deadline forward to July 2020. It will also require inspections of both new and registered e-scooters from April next year. But what exactly is the UL2272 safety standard, and how can you keep scooting safely - and lawfully? Yahoo News Singapore breaks it down.
Why all the fuss?
A fire that gutted a Sembawang flat this week was reportedly caused by a PMD being charged. In the past six weeks, three similar fires blazed in Ang Mo Kio, Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok, the last resulting in the death of a 40-year-old man. Fires involving PMDs have spiked from 52 in 2018 to 49 in just the first half of 2019, and public concern is growing. The LTA says that with the growing popularity of PMDs, a reliable safety standard, such as the UL2272, is timely.
What causes PMDs to catch fire?
While it is hard to pinpoint defects in fire-damaged devices, PMD fires are generally caused by electrical faults in the circuitry or batteries. The faults may be due to manufacturing defects or may have arisen from improper use, according to the Singapore Civil Defence Force. For instance, overcharging a rechargeable battery, or using an unsuitable charger or battery, could lead to a defect that may cause a PMD to catch fire.
How does UL2272 help?
UL2272 is a safety standard used to certify PMDs. The standard takes a system-level perspective instead of merely assessing individual components, and requires the whole PMD to pass a series of electrical, mechanical and environmental tests to ascertain device safety. Importantly, UL2272-certified PMDs stop charging once the battery is fully charged, avoiding overcharging which can cause fires. Of the 90,000 e-scooters currently registered, only 10 per cent are believed to be UL2272-certified.
Is my PMD UL2272-safe?
If you bought your PMD in the last month, you probably don’t need to worry. From 1 July 2019, retailers were banned from selling PMDs that are not UL2272 certified. If your device is older, you may need to upgrade it before 1 July 2020, when UL2272 non-compliant PMDs will be prohibited on public paths.
So, what do I do now?
Firstly, ensure that your PMD is UL2272-safe – look for any of these certification marks on your device or check if your PMD is on this list. Next, if your PMD is an e-scooter, register it with the LTA or risk penalties when you ride on public paths. If you bought your uncertified e-scooter before 1 July 2019, retain your proof of purchase. Finally, practise safe handling of your device. Don’t charge a battery that’s already fully charged and check your batteries regularly for damage or deformities.
Related stories
HDB PMD ban: Residents, tenants hope for strict enforcement
15 town councils to ban use of PMDs at void decks, common corridors: Lam Pin Min
Transport ministry moves deadline for PMD UL2272 fire safety compliance to 1 July 2020
