Fire officials have shut down a scooter store in Queens for engaging in illegal production of dangerous and flammable “Frankenstein batteries,” according to authorities. However, the store owner insisted that all the products were imported from China.
Wilson Scooters in Forest Hills, a scooter repair and sales shop, was found to have approximately 60 sets of batteries, hundreds of individual lithium-ion cells, 25 electric scooters, and 25 hybrid electric and gas-powered scooters, the FDNY announced on Thursday.
The Lithium-ion Task Force, consisting of Fire Marshals, the Bureau of Fire Prevention, and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, conducted an inspection of the store based on community tips and identified it as a suspect.
“We have emphasized through various means at various times of day and night that unregulated, damaged, and uncertified batteries are extremely dangerous,” said Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh at a press conference on Wednesday.
“They have killed people, they have already killed people, and if companies continue to operate in this way, they will kill more individuals,” she added. “These are the notorious Frankenstein batteries, and for months we have been warning people not to use them.”
Commissioner Kavanagh stated that the task force recovered about 60 sets of batteries, hundreds of individual lithium-ion cells, 25 electric scooters, and 25 hybrid electric and gas-powered scooters from Wilson Scooters in Forest Hills.
According to Kavanagh, the store was found to be “creating battery packs from individual lithium-ion cells and swapping them out” and violating fire safety regulations.
However, the store owner, Wilson Chang, who opened the shop two years ago, insisted that he had not committed any infractions.
“What they say is untrue,” he said. “Nobody here is manufacturing batteries. We have a battery factory in China. We import everything from China.”
“I don’t manufacture batteries,” Chang added. “Everything here is expensive. Batteries in China are cheaper, so we buy them there. They are of good quality, they’re Panasonic batteries.”
Chang also pointed out that American scooter batteries are “cheap” and “low quality” and blamed the fire department and police for insufficiently educating people on proper battery installation in scooters.
The shop owner received several citations, including for storing more than five batteries, storing modified and repaired batteries, having unmarked fire extinguishers, electrical hazards, and storing gasoline and diesel fuel.
The task force, made up of Fire Marshals, the Bureau of Fire Prevention, and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, inspected the store based on community tips and labeled it as a suspect.
Wilson Chang, the shop owner, also insisted that American scooter batteries are “cheap” and “low quality” and blamed the fire department and police for insufficiently teaching people how to properly install batteries in scooters.
Kavanagh said that as soon as anyone “intervenes” in a lithium-ion battery, the product becomes an “unstable and potentially explosive device.”
“They go on YouTube and watch how to do it to go faster than 20 miles per hour,” Chang said. “There’s no teachers over there. In all the scooters in New York, the maximum speed should be 20 mph. It’s crazy. I see 90% of the scooters running faster.”
Chang said he will seek a safety certification from Underwriter Laboratories, but noted that it “won’t be easy.”
The shop owner received several citations, including for storing more than five batteries, storing modified and repaired batteries, having unmarked fire extinguishers, electrical hazards, and storing gasoline and diesel fuel.
Kavanagh stated that as soon as anyone “intervenes” in a lithium-ion battery, the product becomes an “unstable and potentially explosive device.”
Despite the fire department’s strict action, Chang, who opened the store two years ago, insisted in an interview with the media that he had not committed any infractions.
“What they say is untrue,” he said. “Nobody here is manufacturing batteries. We have a battery factory in China. We import everything from China. I don’t manufacture batteries. Everything here is expensive. Batteries in China are cheaper, so we buy them there. They are of good quality, they’re Panasonic batteries.”
“It’s present that people have explosive devices in their homes,” he lamented.
The fire commissioner linked the dangers of lithium-ion batteries to the fire at Jaskolka Park in Brooklyn, which occurred early Thursday morning in a two-story private residence.
The fire broke out in the basement after a lithium-ion battery caught fire, and it took the rescue crew more than an hour to battle the blaze, officials reported.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were transported to the hospital.
The city has seen a series of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, including one in November that claimed the lives of three members of a Brooklyn family.
The battery caused a “wall of fire,” making it difficult to escape the Crown Heights home, as revealed at the time.
FAQ Section based on main topics and information presented in the article:
1. What was found at Wilson Scooters store in Forest Hills?
Wilson Scooters store had around 60 sets of batteries, hundreds of individual lithium-ion cells, 25 electric scooters, and 25 hybrid electric and gas-powered scooters in its warehouse.
2. Which agencies conducted the inspection at the store and why?
The Lithium-ion Task Force conducted the inspection at the store based on community tips and identified it as a suspect. The task force consists of Fire Marshals, the Bureau of Fire Prevention, and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
3. Why are the batteries called “Frankenstein batteries”?
These batteries are called “Frankenstein batteries” because they are unregulated, damaged, and uncertified, and their use can be dangerous and result in explosions.
4. How did the store owner respond to the allegations?
The store owner, Wilson Chang, claimed that he had not committed any infractions. He stated that everything he sells comes from China, where he has a battery factory.
5. What citations did the store owner receive?
The store owner received several citations, including for storing more than five batteries, storing modified and repaired batteries, having unmarked fire extinguishers, electrical hazards, and storing gasoline and diesel fuel.
6. Why are lithium-ion batteries considered dangerous?
The fire department considers lithium-ion batteries to become unstable and potentially explosive devices as soon as they are tampered with. There is a risk of fire or explosion.
7. What is the danger of improperly installing batteries in scooters?
Improper installation of batteries in scooters causes them to become unstable and capable of exceeding the allowed speed limit. This increases the risk of accidents on the road.
8. Why did the fire department link the dangers of lithium-ion batteries to the fire at Jaskolka Park in Brooklyn?
The fire at Jaskolka Park in Brooklyn started after a lithium-ion battery caught fire. The fire department believes lithium-ion batteries are a threat and a cause of fires.
9. Is Wilson Scooters planning to obtain a safety certification?
Wilson Chang plans to apply for a safety certification from Underwriter Laboratories, but he believes it won’t be easy.
Suggested related links:
Panasonic
National Fire Protection Association
The source of the article is from the blog zaman.co.at