Lithium Battery Policy

E-MOBILITY DEVICES & LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PROHIBITION POLICY

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to protect the health and safety of the City College of New York (CCNY) community, prevent fires, and safeguard CCNY property by prohibiting specified e-mobility devices and their associated lithium-ion batteries from CCNY buildings and facilities, as well as prohibiting the charging of such batteries anywhere on CCNY property.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all CCNY students, faculty, staff, visitors, contractors, and other individuals accessing CCNY property.

Due to the risk of fires associated with lithium-ion batteries, including batteries that are damaged, defective, improperly stored, or improperly charged, CCNY prohibits the presence and storage of lithium-ion-powered e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, and other prohibited e-mobility devices inside all CCNY buildings and facilities.

The prohibition also applies to lithium-ion batteries associated with these devices, whether the batteries are installed in the device, detached, removed, or stored separately.

Charging Prohibition: No person may use any electrical outlet, receptacle, charging station, extension cord, or other electrical power source located indoors or outdoors on CCNY property to charge, recharge, or supply power to a battery that is used to operate any device prohibited under this policy. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the battery is attached to the device or has been removed from it.

No person may charge, recharge, or attempt to charge a prohibited battery anywhere on CCNY property, including inside buildings, in offices, classrooms, laboratories, residence areas, common areas, outdoor spaces, or designated bicycle parking areas.

3. Enforcement Responsibility

The CCNY Department of Public Safety is responsible for enforcing this policy in coordination with the appropriate College administrative offices.

4. Operational Implementation

Implementation of this policy is necessary to reduce the risk of fires and protect the CCNY community and property. Lithium-ion battery fires can develop rapidly, may reignite, and can release hazardous gases and smoke that pose serious risks, particularly in enclosed spaces.

All members of the CCNY community and all visitors are prohibited from:

• Bringing, storing, or keeping prohibited e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, or other prohibited e-mobility devices inside CCNY buildings or facilities.
• Bringing, storing, or keeping the lithium-ion batteries associated with prohibited devices inside CCNY buildings or facilities, whether attached to or removed from the device.
• Charging or attempting to charge any battery that powers a prohibited device anywhere on CCNY property, indoors or outdoors, using any electrical outlet, charging station, extension cord, or other electrical power source.
• Using any CCNY electrical outlet or power source to charge a battery for a prohibited device, even if the device itself is parked or stored outside a building.

All permitted e-mobility devices must be parked and secured at designated outdoor bicycle racks or other locations specifically authorized by CCNY. Parking a device outdoors does not authorize charging its battery on CCNY property.

Individuals found in violation of this policy may be directed to remove the prohibited device or battery from CCNY property immediately, subject to applicable law and College procedures. Violations may also be referred for action under the applicable CCNY or CUNY policies, rules, and codes of conduct.

Prohibited devices or batteries discovered on campus may be subject to removal or other appropriate enforcement action consistent with applicable law and College procedures. Any disposal or confiscation must be conducted in accordance with applicable law and institutional procedures.

5. Policy Exemption: Approved Mobility Devices

This policy does not prohibit the use of mobility devices required by individuals with disabilities or mobility limitations when those devices are designed and approved for their intended use in indoor environments.

Individuals with disabilities, age-related mobility limitations, medical conditions, or temporary mobility impairments may use appropriate power-driven mobility devices, including powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters designed for indoor use, on CCNY property, consistent with applicable disability-access requirements and College procedures.

Batteries that power these approved mobility devices are exempt from the prohibitions in this policy to the extent necessary for their authorized use. Charging and storage of such devices must comply with applicable fire-safety requirements and any reasonable, legally permissible campus procedures.

6. Compliance and Effective Duration

This policy will be strictly enforced and will remain in effect until amended, superseded, or rescinded by CCNY.

CCNY may issue additional implementation guidance as necessary to address fire safety, accessibility, and operational requirements.