Use of Lithium-Ion Battery Personal Mobility Device

  

Effective Date: June 5, 2024

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to prevent fires, preserve the health and safety of NJIT community members, and protect NJIT owned and operated properties.

One of the principle safety concerns related to lithium-ion batteries is the phenomena of thermal runaway; a process in which the lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state. Thermal runaway can result in extremely elevated temperatures, violent cell venting, smoke, and fire as well as the ejection of gas, shards, or particulates. Thermal runaway may result in high intensity flame and noxious gases that pose a serious risk to life safety and can potentially cause significant property damage. 

Scope of Policy:

This policy applies to all NJIT students, staff, faculty, and guests. This policy also applies to all NJIT owned or operated buildings.

Policy: 

  1. The storage, charging, operation, and maintenance of lithium-ion battery powered personal mobility devices inside NJIT owned or operated buildings, including residence halls, is prohibited. Personal mobility devices are various classes of compact motorized mobility devices designed to transport individuals at speeds that typically do not exceed twenty miles per hour. These devices may include but are not limited to: electric skateboards, scooters, kick scooters, unicycles, Segways, and E-bikes.
  2. Lithium-ion battery powered personal mobility devices are to be stored outside in an available bike rack. 
  3. Exceptions to this policy include:
  1. Personal mobility devices used for medical purposes. For example, lithium-ion battery powered wheelchairs and similar mobility aids.
  2. Lithium-ion batteries associated with NJIT purchased, approved, and registered electric low speed vehicles.

Responsibilities:

All students, faculty, staff members, and guests are responsible for complying with this policy. 

Enforcement of this policy will be a combination of the following mechanisms:

  1. University building owners and stewards (e.g., Residence Life, Athletics, Department Heads, etc.) will inform owners and operators of lithium-ion battery powered personal mobility devices to remove them from inside the building and relocate them to an appropriate outside location; 
  2. NJIT Public Safety and EHS will, upon request, remove lithium-ion battery powered personal mobility devices found in NJIT owned or operated buildings and relocate them to an appropriate outside location; and
  3. Building owners and stewards that are unsuccessful in determining the owner or operator of a lithium-ion battery powered personal mobility device may contact Public Safety and EHS and request the removal of the device from their facility.

Related Information:

Residence Life Policies – Hoverboards, Electric Scooters, E-bikes
NJIT Student Code of Conduct
General Safety Information on Lithium-Ion Batteries – EHS Website