File #: Int 0722-2022    Version: * Name: Requiring the fire department to report on safety measures to mitigate fire risk associated with powered mobility devices.
Type: Introduction Status: Laid Over in Committee
Committee: Committee on Fire and Emergency Management
On agenda: 9/29/2022
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to requiring the fire department to report on safety measures to mitigate fire risk associated with powered mobility devices
Sponsors: Robert F. Holden, Oswald Feliz, Keith Powers , Crystal Hudson, Joann Ariola , Vickie Paladino
Council Member Sponsors: 6
Summary: This bill would require the Fire Department to report on safety measures to mitigate fire risk associated with powered mobility devices. Specifically, the Department would be required to report on: (a) each fire, occurring the prior calendar year, where powered mobility devices were determined to be the suspected cause; (b) a review of fire risks posed by powered mobility devices and any design or use limitations to mitigate such risks; (c) a review of existing Fire Code provisions, and an evaluation of additional local regulatory measures, that mitigate fire risks posed by powered mobility devices; (d) an examination of regulatory approaches taken in other jurisdictions to mitigate fire risks posed by powered mobility devices; and (e) a summary of all activities taken by the fire department to decrease the occurrence of fires caused by powered mobility devices. The Fire Department would be required to submit to such reports to City Council, one due on January 30, 2023 and an update due on January 30, 2024.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 722, 2. Int. No. 722, 3. September 29, 2022 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 9-29-22, 5. Committee Report 11/14/22, 6. Hearing Testimony 11/14/22, 7. Hearing Transcript 11/14/22, 8. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - September 29, 2022

Int. No. 722

 

By Council Members Holden, Feliz, Powers, Hudson, Ariola and Paladino

 

A Local Law in relation to requiring the fire department to report on safety measures to mitigate fire risk associated with powered mobility devices

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. a. Definition. The term “powered mobility devices” means motorized bicycles, motorized scooters and other personal mobility devices powered by a lithium-ion or other storage battery. The term does not include motor vehicles or motorcycles or other mobility devices that must be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

b. No later than January 30, 2023, and within 30 days after the beginning of the subsequent calendar year, the fire department shall submit to the council a report relating to safety measures to mitigate fire risks posed by powered mobility devices.  Such report shall include but need not be limited to: 

                     1. Information on all fires that occurred during the prior calendar year in which powered mobility devices were determined by the fire department to be the cause of such fire, including the geographic location and building occupancy type where each such fire occurred, and whether circumstances at each such location indicated compliance with relevant fire code provisions;

                     2.  An overview of the fire risks posed by powered mobility devices and any known design or use limitations that mitigate such risks;  

                     3.  A review of existing New York City Fire Code provisions governing the storage and charging of powered mobility devices, and an evaluation of additional local measures, regulatory or otherwise,  that could further mitigate fire risks posed by powered mobility devices;

                     4. An examination of regulatory approaches taken in other jurisdictions or proposed action on the state or federal level for mitigating fire risk posed by powered mobility devices; and

                     5. A summary of all relevant activities taken by the fire department to decrease the occurrence of fires caused by powered mobility devices, including a summary of all related inspections or enforcement actions, and other fire prevention activities.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

JDK

LS #7025

8/23/2022