In the early hours of Wednesday, April 30, 2025, a devastating house fire in Trenton, New Jersey, left five people injured and caused nearby evacuations after loud explosions were heard from the scene. The fire and subsequent...more
Quick Take On March 7, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-23-25 (the Order), extending certain protections for homeowners and renters affected by the multiple fires in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties...more
The government has published its Response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report. This Insight takes a closer look at the Response focusing on some of the major reforms the government plans to make and the timeframes...more
The dramatic increase in the use cases for data storage, artificial intelligence and cloud computing have resulted in an atmospheric level rise in the demand for data centers., and the question of providing sufficient power...more
The holiday season is a magical time of year in New York, filled with excitement, celebration, and festive cheer. It is also one of the busiest, from holiday gatherings to decorating and holiday shopping. The hustle of the...more
Fire investigators recognize the critical importance of adhering to established protocols and procedures to prevent contamination of samples collected for the purpose of ignitable liquid testing. This testing is frequently...more
The integration of e-bikes and e-scooters into the urban fabric of New York City has raised questions about the potential risks they pose within the confines of multi-unit apartment buildings. Landlords, tasked with ensuring...more
As of September 24, 2024, Governor Newsom has signed Senate Bill (SB) 1105, which expands existing paid sick leave provisions to allow agricultural employees to use paid sick leave for additional reasons. These changes take...more
As the demand for clean energy and transportation grows, so does the need for rechargeable batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used, from small toys to electric cars to large energy storage systems. While some...more
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