Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries, commonly found in devices used every day, including cell phones, e-cigarettes, and laptops. Lithium-ion batteries are also found in electric vehicles, e-scooters, and other...more
The seemingly mundane task of fueling a boat is fraught with hidden risks and potential liability for marina owners and operators, especially when it comes to dangers from fire and bloodborne pathogens. As you navigate the...more
The use of electric vehicles (EVs) and micromobility devices (EMDs), e.g., electric scooters, electric bikes, and hoverboards, is on the rise and the accompanying potential risks of EVs and EMDs have become a new area of...more
On February 5, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) related to the Fire Brigades standard, 29 C.F.R. 1910.156, and related standards. ...more
In a reversal of a years-old mandate, owners of existing Maryland residential high-rises will no longer have to retrofit their buildings to include sprinklers throughout the building, including in every unit....more
A recent decision from the U.S. District Court of Maryland should remind litigators and subrogation professionals the goal of awarding damages is to put the plaintiff back into the same position they were before the harm....more
Disasters, natural or otherwise, are usually unexpected and leave little time for advance action. Hurricanes, named storms, floods, fire, and even crime, are types of disasters that communities across North Carolina may...more
The use of portable dehumidifiers poses a significant fire risk, as almost every major dehumidifier brand has been recalled in the last 10 years. Approximately 10 million dehumidifiers have been recalled in the last 10 years....more
On August 8, 2023, a wildfire exploded on the west coast of Maui and quickly spread due to high winds. The fire’s ignition was just to the east of the historic town of Lahaina (affectionately referred to by locals as...more
On July 28, 2023, in response to three separate fires at Battery Energy Storage System (“BESS”) locations in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of an inter-agency fire safety working group. The Fire...more
For the last 15 years, our Tilting the Scales article outlining the “Top 10 Texas Fireworks Laws” has been an explosive hit every July 4 and New Year’s. This year, especially with the excessive heat we’re experiencing, you...more
Since the major fire event at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, a significant period of cultural and professional change has occurred within the construction industry in regard to fire safety. During this period, we have seen the...more
The rising lithium-ion battery demand is creating challenges for manufacturers. It is important to understand how to mitigate risk. The rising demand to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels has driven product manufacturers to...more
Having recently come into force on 23 January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (‘FSR’) impose fresh obligations on the ‘responsible person’ (‘RP’) of existing multi‐occupied residential buildings. This is...more
The First Tier Tribunal (FTT) has allowed a landlord to dispense with the statutory requirement to consult with leaseholders prior to carrying out substantial fire safety works to a multi-storey residential building....more
The NYC Fire Department has attributed the cause of many recent fires, some fatal, to overheating lithium-ion batteries (“LIBs”) used in e-bikes and similar electrically powered personal conveyances (generally, “e-bikes”)....more
Since our previous update on the Building Safety Act 2022, the legislative landscape around fire safety has continued to evolve, with the Fire Safety Regulations coming into force, and new Higher-Risk Buildings Regulations...more
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (Regulations) came into force on 23 January 2023. Government guidance to accompany the Regulations was published in December 2022. The Regulations introduce new, additional...more
Iowa AG Brenna Bird filed a lawsuit against C6-Zero LLC and a related individual and entity (collectively, “C6-Zero”) seeking compliance with a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) order and state environmental laws...more
In response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed designation of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS), including their salts and structural isomers, as Hazardous Substances...more
The holiday season is one of the most magical times of year in New York. The crisp winter air is filled with excitement as residents transform their homes with festive decorations, bright lights and Christmas trees. Although...more
The disastrous fire event at Grenfell Tower in 2017 marked the beginning of the latest batch of fire safety reforms, and the significant cultural and professional shift in the design and construction of high-rise and complex...more
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Code, the federal building code regulating the manufacture, installation, and overall safety standards of manufactured homes, is about to undergo another major...more
A recent surge of electric bike fires in NYC has brought new attention to the dangers of lithium battery fires and increased scrutiny of safety compliance. Although electric bikes, also known as e-bikes, are subject to...more
This summer, Indiana joins a handful of states that have implemented “take-back” programs to collect and dispose of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) containing per- and polyfuoroalkyl substances (PFAS). AFFF is a...more