By Greg Holt, BOAT Director-at-Large, City of Georgetown
I am currently in the process of adopting the 2026 National Fire Protection Association 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)for the City of Georgetown. Adopting any new code cycle is a significant undertaking. It requires time, education, and collaboration, and there will always be questions and sometimes resistance to new requirements. However, code changes are typically implemented for a reason. As Building Officials, it is our responsibility to understand those changes and share that knowledge with the professionals, businesses, and residents they impact.
After Georgetown experienced its second house fire in three months caused by thermal runaway from an e-bike battery, I found myself reflecting on why it is so important to inspect homes using the most current code available. When comparing the 2026 NEC to the code from just four cycles roughly 12 years ago, the difference is substantial. Technology has evolved rapidly, from LED lighting becoming the standard to significant advancements in alternative energy systems and battery storage systems.
Lithium-ion battery technology was introduced in 1985 and commercialized in 1991. While this technology is not brand new, advancements in this technology and its widespread use have grown dramatically. These batteries have made countless products more efficient and accessible than older battery technologies ever could. From e-bikes and power tools to phones, laptops, and household devices, lithium-ion batteries are now embedded in daily life. While lead-acid and alkaline batteries still have their uses, lithium-ion technology has become a dominant power source because of its superior energy density, efficiency, and performance.
So, what has changed?
One major factor is the sheer volume of manufacturers producing battery-powered products and the varying safety standards used in their production. Most products sold in the United States by major retailers are tested by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs), with UL Solutions being one of the most recognized names consumers see on electronic products. Manufacturers pay independent laboratories to test their products against established safety standards, helping ensure they are safe for consumer use.
Many people are familiar with the term thermal runawayin connection with lithium-ion batteries. While commonly associated with lithium-ion technology, thermal runaway is not exclusive to these batteries. Lead-acid batteries can also experience dangerous overheating events. The critical difference is energy density. Lithium-ion batteries store significantly more energy in a smaller space, meaning that when failure occurs, the resulting fire risk and damage potential can be much more severe. Causes may include physical damage, overcharging, charging with incompatible equipment, manufacturing defects, or poor product quality.
How does this connect to code adoption?
In theory, when a battery is damaged or develops a fault, its charging system should recognize the issue and prevent charging from continuing. In products that are listed by UL or certified by another recognized independent testing laboratory these protections are generally built into the design. However, a growing challenge is the increasing availability of products sold in the U.S. that have not been properly tested or certified.
Major retailers typically require electronics to meet established safety standards. But today’s marketplace extends far beyond traditional storefronts. Consumers can easily purchase lower-cost electronic products online from sellers and distributors that may not follow the same safety guidelines. In many cases, these products create greater risk and that concern aligns with the circumstances surrounding Georgetown’s recent battery-related fires.
As Building Officials, we cannot regulate every product brought into a home, nor can we control how consumers use them. What we can do is educate the consumer when possible and continue adopting the most current codes to address emerging technologies, strengthen safety requirements, and better protect our communities. We may not yet have technology capable of automatically detecting and preventing a battery failure event before thermal runway begins from the supply side of an electrical outlet. However, when safer technologies are developed and incorporated into codes, adopting the latest code cycle gives a building department the tools to help protect the people we serve.
The National Fire Protection Association releases a new code cycle every 3 years and it takes a tremendous amount of effort to produce new codes and change existing codes to better reflect development and consumer products. Adopting the newest codes is a long process as well requiring a team of people to read and understand the new codes before presenting them to a city council for adoption. It requires investment, education, collaboration and commitment. But if the work put in by NFPA and Building Officials results in safer homes, safer businesses, and safer communities, then it is unquestionably worth it.