As charging demand surges, new guidance from the Home Office and NFCC outlines the fire safety requirements for specifying and installing battery charging lockers in residential common areas.. E Bike and E Scooter Charging Lockers: New Fire Safety Guidance for Residential Buildings The escalating popularity of e bikes and e scooters has brought with it an unforeseen surge in associated fire risks, particularly within residential settings. In response to a growing number of serious incidents attributed to the charging of lithium ion batteries, the Home Office, in collaboration with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), is set to publish crucial new guidance in late 2026. This forthcoming directive will specifically address the fire safety requirements for the specification, installation, and ongoing management of dedicated charging lockers for micro mobility devices within communal areas of residential buildings. This proactive measure aims to mitigate the dangers posed by improper charging practices and substandard equipment, which have led to significant property damage and endangered lives. The guidance underscores a commitment to proactively safeguarding residents from the evolving challenges presented by new technologies within the built environment. This article will delve into the anticipated implications for building owners, facilities managers, and fire safety professionals. The Urgent Need for Specific Guidance: A Response to Rising Incidents The current framework of fire safety legislation, while robust, has struggled to keep pace with the rapid proliferation of lithium ion powered micro mobility devices. Existing statutes such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) place a general duty on Responsible Persons to assess and mitigate fire risks. However, the unique characteristics of lithium ion battery fires – their rapid onset, intense heat, and the generation of toxic fumes – necessitate tailored preventative and protective measures. Fire services across the UK have reported a significant uptick in fires originating from e bike and e scooter batteries, often occurring during charging. These incidents highlight a critical gap in current guidance, leaving Responsible Persons in a challenging position when determining appropriate safety provisions for communal charging facilities. The new guidance is therefore a vital step towards providing clarity and ensuring a consistent, high standard of fire safety across the residential sector. Legislative Anchors and Anticipated Impact The new guidance will undoubtedly draw upon and further elaborate on existing statutory obligations. The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022) introduces enhanced duties for Accountable Persons, particularly in higher risk buildings, to manage building safety risks, including fire. This guidance will offer practical pathways for meeting those obligations in the context of e bike and e scooter charging. Furthermore, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (FS(E)R 2022) impose specific duties on Responsible Persons in multi occupied residential buildings, requiring them to provide residents with information on fire safety matters. The new guidance will likely necessitate the dissemination of clear instructions regarding the safe use of charging lockers. Failure to adhere to the recommendations within the guidance could leave Responsible Persons vulnerable to enforcement action under the RRO 2005, and potentially expose Accountable Persons to sanctions under BSA 2022, highlighting the critical importance of swift adoption. Key Considerations for Charging Locker Specification and Installation The forthcoming guidance is expected to provide detailed specifications for the design and installation of charging lockers. This will likely involve mandating compliance with relevant British Standards such as BS 9991:2011 (Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings) and BS 9999:2017 (Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings – Code of practice), particularly concerning fire compartmentation and means of escape. Anticipated recommendations include: Fire Rating: Lockers should be constructed from non combustible materials and possess a specified fire resistance period, capable of containing a lithium ion battery fire. This aligns with the principles of Approved Document B (ADB). Ventilation: Adequate ventilation systems will likely be crucial to dissipate any gases released during thermal runaway, a critical aspect of mitigating the severity of battery fires. Detection & Suppression: Integration with existing fire detection and alarm systems, alongside the potential requirement for localised suppression systems (e.g., fine water mist), will be a key focus. Location: Strategic placement to minimise risk to escape routes and maintain compartmentation integrity will be paramount. Consideration of adjacency to high risk areas will also be critical. Operational Management and Residen