[HISTORY: Adopted by the Bloomfield Council 6-16-2025 by Ord. No. 25-22. Amendments noted where applicable.]
E-MOBILITY DEVICE
A battery-powered transportation device, including but not limited to electric bicycles or bikes (E-Bikes), electric scooters (E-scooters), hoverboards and other similarly powered mobility devices.
LITHIUM-ION BATTERY
A storage battery in which an electrical current is generated by lithium-ions embedded in a carbon graphite or nickel metal-oxide substrate placed in a high-viscosity carbonate mixture or gelled polymer electrolyte.
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED TESTING LABORATORY (NRTL)
Applicable to this chapter, a private sector organization that performs certification for E-Mobility and Lithium-Ion Battery products to ensure that they meet the specific applicable UL Standards 2271, 2272 and/or 2849. Each NRTL uses its own unique registered certification mark(s) to designate product conformance to the applicable product safety test standard.
RETAIL STORE
A retail establishment within the Township of Bloomfield that sells or stores E-Mobility devices, E-bikes, E-scooters, Lithium-Ion batteries and other similarly powered mobility devices to consumers.
SECOND-USE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY
A Lithium-Ion battery that has been assembled, repurposed, reconditioned or renewed using cells removed from used batteries.
UL
Underwriters Laboratories is a global safety science company that develops standards to ensure products and systems are safe and meet industry standards.
UL 2271
The UL Standard for Batteries for Use in Light Electric Vehicle Applications, or any storage battery for a powered bicycle or mobility device.
UL 2272
The UL Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices, for all powered mobility devices, including E-Scooters.
UL 2849
The UL Standard for Electrical Systems for E-Bikes, for the electrical system of any powered bicycle.
UNREGULATED LITHIUM-ION BATTERY
A Lithium-Ion battery in a E-Mobility device, such as an electric bicycle or electric scooter, that is not listed and labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and does not have a NRTL certification mark on it such as the UL mark or that specific NRTL's unique registered certification mark.
WAREHOUSE
A warehouse within the Township of Bloomfield that sells, ships or stores E-Mobility devices, E-bikes, E-scooters, Lithium-Ion batteries and other similarly powered mobility devices as part of their inventory.
A. 
The sale and storage E-Mobility Devices, such as electric bicycles, electric scooters, hoverboards, and Lithium-Ion Batteries are prohibited unless such devices and batteries have been listed and labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and has a NRTL certification mark on it such as the UL mark or that specific NRTL's unique registered certification mark and have been tested to the applicable UL Standard (UL 2271, 2272 and/or UL 2849). A list of NRTLs can be found on the OSHA website https://www.osha.gov/nationally- recognized-testing-laboratory-program/current-list-of-nrtls. Be advised that not all the NRTLs listed test to UL 2271, UL 2272 and UL 2849 Standards.
B. 
Retail Stores and Warehouses shall be prohibited from maintaining any unregulated E-Mobility Devices and Lithium-Ion Batteries within their inventory located in the Township of Bloomfield.
C. 
Prior to the sale or storage of any E-Mobility Device or Lithium-Ion Battery, the applicable UL Test Report for each model or device for sale or being stored shall be supplied to the Fire Prevention Bureau to ensure compliance with the applicable UL Standard for each E-Mobility Device and Lithium-Ion Battery.
D. 
Retail Stores shall only be permitted to display one uncharged model of each E-Mobility Device powered by a Lithium-Ion battery being sold at any time. If the battery is removable, the battery for any such display devices within a retail store shall remain in its original packaging and shall be stored in a secure area within the establishment that complies with all safety requirements set forth in this chapter for Lithium-Ion battery storage and charging.
E. 
All E-Mobility Devices must be stored in an uncharged state, with its original packaging and its original manufacturer supplied charger.
F. 
Fire safety and charging safety information about E-Mobility Devices and Lithium-Ion Batteries must be supplied by the seller to the purchaser of the E-Mobility Device at the time of sale.
G. 
All E-Mobility devices, other than display models, shall remain boxed and safely stored within the original packaging.
H. 
Retail stores or warehouses that sell or store E-Mobility Devices are required to have a monitored fire alarm system. If the building is more than one story or of a mixed-use occupancy, there shall be a monitored wet-sprinkler system present in addition to the monitored fire alarm system which shall extend into the common areas of the building and basement.
I. 
If the retail store or warehouse sells or stores individual Lithium-Ion Battery Packs for E-Mobility Devices, a fire-resistant metal storage cabinet of sufficient size to hold as many E-Mobility Lithium-Ion batteries as in stock shall be used. The cabinet is required to have self-closing, self-latching doors with flame-arresting vents.
J. 
All individual Lithium-Ion batteries stored in a retail stores or warehouses are to be stored in the fire-resistant cabinet at all times, except when the battery packs are being charged for delivery to customers.
K. 
Retails Stores are prohibited from charging any Lithium-Ion batteries while they are stored inside the fire-resistant storage cabinet. Lithium-Ion batteries are only permitted to be charged immediately prior to delivery to the customer.
L. 
Warehouses are prohibited from charging any E-Mobility Lithium-Ion batteries that are to be sold or shipped individually or with E-Mobility Devices.
A. 
E-Mobility devices and Lithium-Ion batteries are prohibited from being stored or charged within the common areas of any multi-family residential properties including but not limited to means of egress (entrances and exits), hallways, stairwells or basements.
B. 
Lithium-ion batteries shall be charged within a retail store on a wheeled metal cart with a quick-disconnect function from a wall outlet. A surge proof power strip may be secured to the cart to accommodate the charging of additional lithium-ion batteries, if necessary.
C. 
Stores that charge Lithium-Ion batteries shall have a 32-gallon galvanized pail that is half filled with water, an eight-foot-by-eight-foot fireproof blanket, or a "Cell Block" lithium-ion battery containment tank in the immediate vicinity of the Lithium-Ion battery charging cart.
D. 
Overnight and/or unattended charging of any Lithium-Ion batteries is prohibited.
E. 
At least one Class A, B, and C fire extinguisher shall be mounted within easy reach of the charging station to extinguish any possible fire extension.
A. 
Proper disposal of Lithium-Ion batteries shall be in accordance with state and local regulations.
B. 
Lithium-Ion Batteries are prohibited from being disposed of in the regular trash or curbside recycling.
C. 
To properly dispose of Lithium-Ion batteries, take them to a household hazardous waste event such as the Essex County Hazardous Waste Collection Day, drop them off at participating retailers like Home Depot or Target, or visit a Call2Recycle.org drop-off location.
A. 
A person or entity who violates any section within this article or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be liable for a penalty as follows:
(1) 
For first violation, a civil fine of up to $2,000 in addition to the penalty from the Fire Prevention Bureau.
(2) 
For each subsequent violation issued for the same offense within two years of the date of the first violation, a civil fine of $2,000 in addition to the penalty from the Fire Prevention Bureau.
(3) 
All unregulated E-Mobility Devices and Lithium-Ion Batteries are subject to seizure by the Township of Bloomfield. The costs of properly disposing of the unregulated Lithium-Ion Batteries and E-Mobility Devices shall be billed to the business and property owners.
A. 
The Township of Bloomfield Fire Department, Police Department and Code Enforcement shall be responsible for performing inspections of all stores within the Township of Bloomfield every three months that sell E-Mobility Devices and Lithium-Ion Batteries.
B. 
The Township of Bloomfield Fire Department, Police Department and Code Enforcement shall have the authority for the enforcement of all aspects of this chapter.
If any part of this chapter shall be deemed invalid, such parts shall be severed and the invalidity thereof shall not affect the remaining parts of this chapter.