Strata & Body Corporate Lithium Battery Fire Safety Guide

Strata & body corporate: managing battery risk in apartments

In high-density buildings, one resident's faulty e-bike can threaten dozens of homes. Strata committees are now on the front line of lithium-ion fire safety.

NSW's new e-micromobility standards were designed in large part to combat rising strata and house fires caused by substandard batteries, and strata lawyers describe the 1 February 2026 enforcement deadline as a critical turning point for shared living spaces (Mueller & Co, 2026).

Why apartments are uniquely exposed

• Devices charge in hallways, balconies, basements and storage cages — often near the only exit.
• Fire and smoke spread vertically through stairwells and shared voids.
• A fire originating in one lot can affect the whole building's insurance and premiums.

In the Redfern terrace fire that marked FRNSW's 100th e-bike fire of 2025, solid brick walls helped stop the blaze spreading to two adjoining terraces — a reminder that building design and rapid containment both matter (Fire and Rescue NSW, 2025).

Practical steps for committees

• Adopt by-laws covering where e-mobility devices may be charged and stored.
• Provide designated charging areas away from exits, ideally with suppression equipment nearby.
• Communicate Fire and Rescue NSW's golden rules to all residents.
• Equip common areas with EV fire blankets and EV fire extinguishers.

For a tailored approach to common-property risk, see the strata & body corporate fire-safety guide.