In New York City, at 1239 Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn, a motorcycle shop owned by Chinese businessman Tian Liang Liu was taken into custody by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) personnel last Friday for the fourth time violating regulations related to lithium-ion batteries. This marked the first time that the FDNY had taken criminal arrest action against a violator after the city prohibited motorcycle shops from selling non-compliant lithium-ion batteries.
On Monday afternoon, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, along with senior officials from the department, held a press conference outside the Brooklyn headquarters to explain the enforcement situation.
Kavanagh stated, “The department had previously informed the shop to improve their behavior, but the shop either made minor adjustments or did not cooperate.” She further explained that they had briefed the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office on the matter and brought Tian Liang Liu to the 70th precinct of the New York City Police Department to press charges.
FDNY Commissioner Kavanagh pointed out that the businessman had violated FDNY and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) regulations multiple times, including improper storage of lithium-ion batteries, inadequately packaged lithium-ion batteries, and other violations of fire regulations.
Fire Marshall Daniel E. Flynn mentioned that the businessman was only arrested after persistent non-compliance with warnings.
Flynn noted that the FDNY had discovered Liu Tian Liang’s violations in October of last year and in January and March of this year, and had requested improvements multiple times. However, Liu’s reckless attitude and unwillingness to cooperate led to his arrest last Friday after the FDNY’s fourth inspection found continued illicit activities.
The FDNY mentioned on social media that their Fire Prevention Division, Fire Investigation Unit, and Special Inspection Unit jointly conducted three prior visits to Tian Liang Liu’s motorcycle shop and issued multiple summonses for violations. On the afternoon of the 12th, the joint team revisited Liu’s shop in Brooklyn and found severe violations on the premises.
The Fire Marshall proceeded to arrest and charge Liu Tian Liang for his reckless actions that posed a threat to the safety of others, while the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) issued a summons to the businessman for not complying with the FDNY warning about improperly storing more than five lithium-ion batteries in the shop.
Kavanagh mentioned that a majority of non-compliant battery sources come from overseas, particularly China. She has repeatedly raised concerns in Washington DC and sought federal lawmakers to legislate on the issue. Kavanagh warned the public that despite the illegal status of non-compliant lithium-ion batteries in New York City, they are still easily accessible to consumers, and once the factory-sealed compliant batteries are opened, they are no longer safe or compliant.
In March of last year, the New York City Council signed the Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Act into law, prohibiting the sale of uncertified electric bikes and other powered mobility devices with non-UL standard lithium batteries. Until last Friday, the city government had fined violators selling uncertified motorcycles or lithium-ion batteries a maximum of $1,000.
In February of this year, the City Council passed a bill authorizing the FDNY and Consumer Protection Bureau to increase penalties for illegal sales and leases of non-compliant motorcycles, including shutting down storefronts of repeat offenders. However, the bill has not yet been signed into law by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
According to data released by the FDNY, there were 240 lithium-ion battery-induced fires in New York City last year, resulting in 17 deaths. As of March this year, there have been 35 lithium-ion battery fires, causing 23 injuries and one fatality.
In February of this year, 27-year-old Hechinger Report journalist Fazil Khan died in a motorcycle battery explosion fire at an apartment in Harlem, Manhattan. In May of last year, a lithium-ion battery fire at a motorcycle shop on Mott Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown led to the deaths of four elderly Chinese residents due to smoke inhalation.
责任编辑：陳玟綺