What can't be kept in the basement? What about scooters and electric bikes?

We asked the press spokesman for the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service about this last issue.

What not Can you keep it in the basement? What do the regulations say?

Restrictions on storing certain items in basements stem from fire safety regulations. These matters are regulated by the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of June 7, 2010, on fire protection of buildings, other structures, and areas. According to paragraph 7, section 2 of this regulation, "fire-hazardous materials shall not be stored in basements, attics, stairwells, corridors, or other publicly accessible rooms, as well as on terraces, balconies, and loggias."

So what shouldn't you keep in your basement? First of all:

Are scooters And can electric bikes be kept in the basement? An expert explains.

Basements are a popular place to store bicycles. But is it legal to keep the recently popular scooters and electric bikes there? We asked Karol Kierzkowski, press spokesman for the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service, about this.

The expert first of all emphasized that in the case of these vehicles – due to the batteries and accumulators used to power them – it is necessary to follow the rules for safe storage and use specified by their manufacturers, including charging.

"We emphasize that such vehicles may pose a fire hazard, for example, if the battery is mechanically damaged or overheated ("overcharged"). Although fire safety regulations and technical and construction regulations do not explicitly specify requirements for battery storage, the use and storage of technically faulty batteries is prohibited. When using batteries, the manufacturer's safety guidelines must be followed, which also specify, among other things, the storage conditions for functional batteries," said Karol Kierzkowski.

The specialist also noted other issues: "Bicycles and scooters, due to some flammable components, may pose a fire hazard. Furthermore, leaving them on public transport routes (including basements) or in stairwells may hinder the evacuation of people or hinder rescue and firefighting operations. Pursuant to § 4 section 1 point 2, 11 - 13 of the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of June 7, 2010, on fire protection of buildings, other construction works and areas (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 822, as amended), it is prohibited to perform activities in buildings and adjacent areas that may cause a fire, its spread, hinder rescue operations or evacuation [...]."

Karol Kierzkowski also recalled that, in accordance with the Code of Petty Offences (Article 82, paragraph 1, points 3, 7 and 8), "[…] anyone who performs activities that may cause a fire, its spread, hinder rescue operations or evacuation [...] shall be subject to arrest, a fine or a reprimand."

What not Can you keep it in the basement? What do the regulations of housing communities and cooperatives say?

The need to comply with fire safety regulations in relation to basements and basement corridors is also emphasised in the regulations of housing communities and cooperatives.

For example, in the House Order and Tidiness Regulations of the Inter-Enterprise Housing Cooperative "Zrzeszeni" in Bydgoszcz (paragraph 1, section 8) one can read: "Common rooms of buildings (staircases, corridors, basements, trolley storage rooms, drying rooms, etc.) and external areas should be kept clean and tidy, and when using them, the rules of social coexistence and order should be observed, as well as fire safety regulations."

Paragraph 23, section 2 of the Regulations on House Order and Coexistence of Residents of PSM "Winogrady" in Poznań states: "It is forbidden to place any flammable materials (including wardrobes, tables, chairs, armchairs, carpets, shelves, cardboard boxes, household appliances, and strollers) in corridors, halls, stairwells, and basement passages. It is forbidden to store bulky or other items, e.g., bicycles, whose location would restrict the required width of the escape route." Paragraph 23, section 3 adds: "Flammable materials (gasoline, paints, solvents, etc.), combustion-engine vehicles, other combustion-engine devices, and devices powered by electric motors and batteries, are not permitted in basements." Paragraph 25, section 12 states: "Keeping and feeding any animals in basements is prohibited."

Similar guidelines can be found in the House Order Regulations in force at the Śródmieście Housing Cooperative in Łódź. According to paragraph 21, section 10: "Keeping and feeding any animals or birds in common areas, including basement corridors and stairwells, is prohibited." Furthermore, according to paragraph 22, section 3: "Storing flammable, explosive, corrosive, or malodorous materials and objects in apartments, basements, garages, and other rooms is prohibited."

What not Should it be kept in the basement? It's worth remembering.

There are a number of other items that shouldn't be kept in the basement. These include items that, due to the humidity and temperature in basements, can spoil or be damaged. Many of these items can also pose a potential fire hazard or contribute to the spread of fire.

These primarily include electronic equipment. Furniture and textiles, as well as books, newspapers, and documents, should also be kept out of the basement, as they are susceptible to moisture and mold. These items, especially after extended periods of time, can develop an unpleasant odor that can be difficult to eliminate.

Furthermore, a basement is not a suitable place for long-term storage of large quantities of fruit and vegetables. Although it's cooler here than in an apartment, the temperature can still reach several degrees Celsius, which, combined with the usually high humidity, contributes to rapid spoilage of such supplies. Furthermore, fruit and vegetables can attract mice and rats to the basement, which, especially during the autumn and winter months, search for food in houses and apartment buildings.

It is also worth remembering not to keep particularly valuable items in the basement, such as expensive tools, which are vulnerable to theft there.