When charging stations led to a better member experience
At the Vagnhallen Fitness Center in Majorna, Gothenburg, systematic fire safety measures are a natural part of daily operations. The converted tram depot is one of Gothenburg’s most popular fitness centers, featuring 10-meter-high ceilings and a preserved overhead crane that enhances the venue’s industrial vibe.
The facility’s concept is to create a fitness oasis where functional training is not just an activity, but a lifestyle. Competition for members is fierce. To be a top-tier facility, it’s all about meeting members’ wishes and needs.
That's how battery charging became part of the SBA's work
When the premises were expanded, a great deal of attention was paid to evacuation routes, procedures, and how the organization would implement a structured, systematic approach to fire safety. During this process, it became clear that electric bicycle batteries were an issue that needed to be better addressed.
It all started with something as simple as cell phones.
Members wanted to charge their phones, and chargers began appearing in outlets throughout the facility. Over time, it became clear that the same behavior applied to electric bike batteries as well.
“It’s taken a lot of work to establish a systematic fire safety program. When we took over and expanded the premises, we put a lot of effort into that. And that’s when we realized there was also a need to address the handling of electric bike batteries,” says founder Sharam.
With large open spaces and many people moving about, safety, clear procedures, and a well-planned fire safety program are an important part of everyday life.
A solution that provides peace of mind
Because Vagnhallen is centrally located, many people bike to the gym, something the facility actively encourages. But when electric bike batteries started being brought into the locker rooms and, in some cases, charged inside the facility, a problem arose that could not be ignored.
– We noticed that a lot of members were bringing their batteries in. They locked them in lockers, in the changing rooms, and in some cases plugged them into various wall outlets and charged them right here. It eventually became a problem.
Not responding to the behavior with prohibitions
Instead of imposing a ban, the goal was to find a solution that would both improve fire safety and make it easy for members to continue cycling to practice. Simply posting a sign on the door prohibiting the bringing of bicycle batteries into the facility, without offering an alternative solution, was not an option.
Vagnhallen has opted for the ECO Charge BIKE charging cabinet.
The charging station for electric bike batteries is located outside the facility, next to the bike parking area. Members can store and charge their electric bike batteries in one of the eight compartments. The fact that the cabinet is located outside the actual training area is seen by the facility as an additional advantage, both from a fire safety perspective and because it eliminates the need to allocate indoor space for the cabinet.
Battery cabinets as part of a systematic fire safety program
By providing a designated charging area outside the facility, we reduce the risk of improper handling indoors while making it easy for members to do it correctly.
In this way, ECO Charge BIKE became a concrete measure to address the identified risks and an extension of a systematic fire safety program, SBA.
“Personally, the most important thing for me is knowing that there’s no dangerous charging taking place inside the facility, where so many people are moving around every day,” says the founder.
In addition to security, Vagnhallen offers clear benefits for its members. They don’t have to worry about whether the battery will last all the way home and can work out knowing that their battery is protected from theft.
High security and easy administration
For the fitness center, the ease of administration was a key advantage. Instead of spending time managing keys and codes, members can book a locker themselves via the app, which reduces the workload for staff.
This feature offers the facility two clear benefits. The first is security: by logging in with BankID, it’s clear who is using the locker and that it’s being used for its intended purpose. The second is minimal administration, which makes the solution convenient for staff as well.
– I’ve received really great feedback from members. A lot of people are happy to have been given the opportunity to store and charge their bike batteries here.
For Vagnhallen, ECO Charge BIKE became a solution that combines systematic fire safety efforts with benefits for members. This demonstrates that fire safety doesn’t have to be about restrictions, but rather about creating better conditions for a safe and well-functioning operation.
Further reading
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