How many fires caused by charging of PMDs?

[NanoSpeed]

How is it that only HDB flats are affected ?

Condos have strict controls that HDB do not ?

 

[True Believer]

How is it that only HDB flats are affected ? Condos have strict controls that HDB do not ?

The low SES PMD users live in HDB flats.

 

[NanoSpeed]

The low SES PMD users live in HDB flats.

I will keep a lookout for PMDs in the condos that I ply my part-time trade.

 

[True Believer]

I will keep a lookout for PMDs in the condos that I ply my part-time trade.

There are none at my condo and the motorcycle parking lots are always vacant as well.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

AMD battery packs, electrical faults likely causes of recent residential fires: Goh Pei Ming​

Aug 30, 2025

SINGAPORE – Battery packs from some active mobility devices (AMDs) and electrical faults were found to be the likely causes of a recent spate of residential fires, said Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming.

The Government is concerned about these fires, and may consider stiffer action against the owners and retailers of non-compliant AMDs, Mr Goh told reporters at Joo Chiat Community Club on Aug 30, on the sidelines of a Responder Plus Programme.

Twenty-six participants picked up core life-saving skills such as firefighting, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the emergency preparedness training programme by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

There have been at least eight fire-related deaths in 2025 so far, compared with three in 2023 and five in 2024.

In April 2025, a blaze at a shophouse in River Valley left a 10-year-old girl dead, and 21 others injured. More recently in August, a fire in a Jalan Bukit Merah flat resulted in the death of two people in their 30s.

Mr Goh said the Government is looking at various measures to step up fire safety protection.

Several measures have already been put in place, such as requiring all new flats and existing flats undergoing addition and alteration works to install home fire alarm devices since 2018.

Town councils, together with the SCDF, have also been working very closely to remove fire hazards from corridors and common spaces, he said.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Ministry of Transport also require all power systems, bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) to be registered and to undergo safety checks, he added.


PMDs in Singapore must be registered with LTA and be UL2272-certified, fitted with an LTA plate and undergo inspection every two years.

Batteries should be regularly examined for any damage or deformities, and should be charged using only compatible chargers with a safety mark.

There have been 20 fires involving PMDs in the first half of 2025, according to the SCDF, double the number in the same period in 2024.

“The SCDF has been installing fire extinguishers in various HDB estates next to many of the AEDs (automated external defibrillators), to allow for members of the public to access emergency resources to help respond to fires a lot more quickly,” said Mr Goh, who is an MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

“As at July this year, more than 90 per cent of the places that require such installations already have the fire extinguishers in position.”


Mr Goh said it would be useful for residents to know where the nearest fire extinguisher is, or to buy a fire extinguisher for their homes if they are prepared to do so. He also urged residents to install home fire alarms.


As for dry rising mains in housing estates, he said there is already an “inspection regime for checks”.

An underground pipe leak was likely the reason behind a failed dry riser during a blaze at Block 229 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 in July. Firefighters had to run hoses up the stairs from lower floors as the dry riser was not functioning.

Should the data from annual checks suggest that there is a need for more checks and inspections to be done, “we will explore the option”, Mr Goh added.

 

[True Believer]

Remember the 5 overweight Malay PMA riders and passengers who assaulted a middle-aged Chinese woman who told them not to speed? These 5 terrorists are mobile enough to attack someone for advising them to slow down, so why do they even have to ride on these PMAs? When is the court case coming up anyway? It has been over a year since the assault.

 

[jurongkechil]

Just ban pmd charging at home. Only can charge at hdb ground floor void deck. Problem solve

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

10 taken to hospital after Ang Mo Kio HDB block fire involving personal mobility aid; 90 evacuated​

SCDF was alerted to the fire at Block 510 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 at about 8.30pm on Sept 25.

Sep 25, 2025

SINGAPORE – Ten people were taken to the hospital after a fire involving a personal mobility aid (PMA) and bicycles broke out at an HDB block in Ang Mo Kio on Sept 25.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to a fire at Block 510 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 at about 8.30pm.

“The fire, which involved a PMA and bicycles at the lift lobby on the seventh floor, was swiftly extinguished by firefighters,” it said.

About 90 residents from the block were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

SCDF added that 10 people were also assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to the hospital.

SCDF said 10 people were assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to the hospital.

ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

When The Straits Times arrived at the scene at around 9pm, evacuated residents were seen waiting at the void deck.

Evacuated residents were waiting at the void deck when ST arrived at the scene in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 at around 9pm.

ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

Meanwhile, paramedics were seen on site giving medical attention to some people in an area at the foot of the block that was cordoned off.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Users, sellers of non-compliant AMDs may face tougher action after recent fires: Shanmugam​

There were 22 AMD-related fires in Housing Board flats in 2024, compared with 20 in 2023 and 19 in 2022.

Summary

• Non-compliant active mobility devices (AMDs) are causing severe fires, with 187 AMD-related fires in the last five years, half occurring during charging.
• Stricter enforcement, including tougher penalties, is being considered for those who use or sell non-compliant AMDs as they endanger lives.
• Home fire alarm devices are being installed in HDB flats to improve fire safety awareness and response.

AI generated

Sep 23, 2025

SINGAPORE –The recent fires involving active mobility devices (AMDs) are a significant area of concern for the authorities, who are considering tougher action against sellers and users of non-compliant devices.

Such devices pose significant safety risks, and those who use or sell them knowingly endanger the lives of their families and neighbours, said Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam.

He was responding in a written reply on Sept 22 to parliamentary questions from Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) about fires involving such devices.


Fires in HDB estates have generally been on the decline, from 939 in 2020 to 803 in 2024, said Mr Shanmugam. But fires cause major disruptions leading to the loss of assets and lives, and most of them could have been prevented.

He said there have been 187 fires involving AMDs over the last five years.

Of these, about 46 per cent involved personal mobility devices (PMDs), 42 per cent involved power-assisted bicycles (PABs) and 12 per cent involved personal mobility aids (PMAs).

Mr Shanmugam said 98 of these fires, or about half, happened during charging of the devices.

There were 22 AMD-related fires in HDB flats in 2024, compared with 20 in 2023 and 19 in 2022.

There were also 21 such fires in the common areas of HDB estates in 2024, compared with 14 in 2023 and 11 in 2022.

He said: “Although such fires form a small proportion of fires in HDB estates, AMD-related fires are typically more severe and more likely to result in fatalities and injuries. We are especially concerned about non-compliant AMDs.

“We are considering tougher enforcement action to send a stronger deterrent signal that the use or sale of non-compliant AMDs poses significant safety risks.”

Mr Shanmugam added: “These individuals are knowingly endangering not just the lives of their family but the lives of their neighbours as well.”

On Aug 13, two people died and four residents of Block 106 Jalan Bukit Merah were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a fourth-floor unit at about 4pm.


The blaze is believed to have started from a PMD battery pack, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in a Facebook post on Aug 14.

On Aug 13, two people died and four residents of Block 106 Jalan Bukit Merah were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a fourth-floor unit.

ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

On Aug 22, three people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a 12th-floor unit at Block 63 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh at 2.30am. SCDF later said the fire involved a PMA.

Since June 2021, businesses and individuals have had to obtain approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to import PABs and PMDs into Singapore. These devices must meet the UL2272 and EN15194 standards for PMDs and PABs, respectively, to manage fire safety risks.

There are currently no commonly recognised international fire safety standards for PMAs, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow in a separate reply.

But LTA is monitoring the development of international standards.

Despite these safety measures, some people are choosing to intentionally flout regulations and sell non-compliant devices, or modify their previously compliant devices and make them unsafe, said Mr Shanmugam.

In the past three years, 77 of the AMD-related fires in HDB estates involved such non-compliant devices. Mr Shanmugam said this is why LTA has stepped up regulatory measures and enforcement against the sale or use of non-compliant AMDs.

Between 2020 and 2024, LTA detected more than 6,000 cases of non-compliant AMDs on public paths and roads, and more than 100 violations by errant retailers.

A recent raid of a shop in Aljunied suspected of selling non-compliant AMDs led to the seizure of 11 illegal devices.

Those caught using non-compliant AMDs will have their devices seized and can be jailed for up to six months and fined $10,000.

Those caught selling such devices for use on public paths can be jailed for up to 24 months and fined up to $40,000.

The punishments are doubled for repeat offenders.

There have been at least eight fire-related deaths in 2025 so far, compared with three in 2023 and five in 2024.


At an event in August, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said battery packs from some AMDs and electrical faults
were the likely causes of a spate of residential fires.

Mr Shanmugam said more is being done to help home owners better respond to fires.

In 2018, it became mandatory for all new residential premises, including community care apartments, to have home fire alarm devices (HFADs).

Mr Shanmugam said that for existing residential premises, the devices are mandated only if fire safety-related addition and alteration works were carried out.

The devices are also installed as part of fire safety works under the Home Improvement Programme in cases where fire-rated doors are installed.

He said seniors who wish to install HFADs in their homes can enjoy a subsidy of up to 95 per cent.


More than 80 per cent of public rental flats already have the devices installed, and HDB will progressively install them in the remaining 20 per cent for free.

Mr Shanmugam said that as at June, HFADs have been installed in about 191,000 HDB flats. Of these, 74,000, or one in three, were built before 2018.

While the Government continues to review its policies, programmes and regulations, the best defence against a home fire is still the home owner, he added.

The minister noted that a residential fire safety campaign, Better Awareness, Safer Homes, will be launched to increase public awareness of the top causes of residential fires and encourage home owners to evaluate potential home fire hazards.

“Fire safety is a collective responsibility. We must work together, each doing our part, to keep our homes fire-safe,” he said.