Several workplaces and public facilities do not allow batteries for electric bicycles to be brought in.
You simply have to leave the battery on the bike when you come to us, says Linda Strömbäck at Region Skåne.
On Thursday, a battery for an electric bicycle exploded in an apartment in Malmö, causing a severe fire and eight people had to go to the hospital, including two police officers.
This was not the first time a bicycle battery had caused significant damage. The number of fires linked to charging electric devices has increased sharply in recent years, as more and more products become rechargeable.
Prohibition signs
Since June, patients and visitors to Region Skåne's facilities have been met with signs stating that it is prohibited to bring removable batteries for electric bicycles or electric scooters into the premises.
We must have high fire safety, says Linda Strömbäck, operations manager at Regionfastigheter.
For employees, it is only prohibited to charge the batteries at the workplace.
Employees are allowed to bring in batteries, but must store them in designated cabinets, says Linda Strömbäck.
Several other regions in the country have similar prohibitions. And even the country's authorities have introduced restrictions.
It's not that lithium-ion batteries, such as those on electric bicycles, electric scooters, and computers, catch fire more often than other products. But when they do, the process is extremely rapid and the consequences can be extensive.
"Explosive fires"
The Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency, which is the state's internal insurance company, introduced strict safety regulations regarding lithium-ion batteries in its terms and conditions a few years ago.
They can cause explosive fires and are very difficult to extinguish, says Ulf Strandberg, risk manager at the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency's insurance department.
They have a very large explosive force, a bicycle battery can move walls.
Moreover, it is dangerous to inhale the toxic fumes.
The Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency's regulations do not imply a ban, but rather it is up to each authority to implement them according to their operations.
