Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline the requirements related to lithium-ion battery-powered small personal vehicles to ensure they are safely used and stored while on RISD’s campus.
Electric mobility aids for individuals with disabilities are exempt from this policy.
Scope
This policy applies to all RISD students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Definitions
- Lithium-ion battery-powered small personal vehicles: a small vehicle with a rechargeable energy storage device that uses lithium ions as the main component of its electrochemistry, vehicles include but are not limited to, e-scooters, e-bikes, hoverboards and e-skateboards.
- Electric mobility aids: powered devices designed to assist individuals with mobility impairments in moving independently and safely.
Policy
Lithium-ion battery-powered small personal vehicles have raised concerns among fire safety professionals due to the risk of fires and explosions during charging. These fires are chemical reactions that, once underway, cannot be extinguished by traditional methods and can produce toxic gases that are deadly in enclosed spaces. Fire extinguishers are ineffective against lithium-ion battery fires. RISD Facilities, Risk Management, Environmental Health & Safety, Fire and Life Safety and Public Safety monitor these incidents because of the numerous fires caused by the recharging systems.
To ensure the safety of the RISD Community, RISD prohibits the charging of all lithium-ion-powered small personal vehicles in all RISD residential housing, administrative and academic buildings, or the common area of any building, due to fire safety concerns while charging lithium-ion battery-powered e-bikes, hoverboards, e-skateboards and e-scooters.
Individuals who own lithium-ion battery-powered small personal vehicles should plan to recharge them elsewhere outside of RISD buildings. Such items found being charged in RISD Buildings will be removed and held by RISD Public Safety and/or RISD Facilities.
Additionally, on-campus residential buildings prohibit the indoor storage and charging of lithium-ion battery-powered small personal vehicles. For more information, please visit the Residence Life Policies website, under Health and Safety.
The RISD Museum prohibits any visitor from storing, charging, or entering the museum with any lithium-ion battery-powered small personal vehicles, as defined in this policy. For more information, please visit the RISD Museum’s Visitor Guidelines website.
Procedures
Policy Sanctions
RISD reserves the right to review alleged violations of this policy in conjunction with other appropriate offices and under other college policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements, including but not limited to those listed under Related Policies. Failure to comply with this policy and other Related Policies is subject to disciplinary action and sanctions per applicable disciplinary procedures.
Anyone who violates this policy must remove the charging device immediately. If any such devices are discovered, they may be removed and held by RISD Public Safety without notice.
Revision history
This policy was created on: 10/29/2025
This policy was last reviewed/modified on: 3/9/2026
Next scheduled review: 11/9/2027
Responsibilities
Issuing Office
Environmental Health and Safety
Responsible Officer
Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration
Individuals/offices required for review and changes
Environmental, Health & Safety Manager
Director, Risk, Emergency Management
Director, Public Safety