The rapid growth in lithium-ion battery technology has created new challenges for property owners, employers and insurers.
Whilst battery-powered devices are now commonplace, incidents involving lithium-ion batteries can result in fast-developing fires, significant property damage and business interruption.
Duty holders should therefore ensure that battery-related risks are identified, assessed and managed through appropriate storage, charging, maintenance and emergency response arrangements.
Who is Responsible?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, those with responsibility for workplaces and commercial premises are required to identify, assess and manage fire risks within the areas under their control.
Depending on the premises, duty holders may include:
- Building owners
- Employers
- Occupiers or tenants
- Facilities managers
- Managing agents
- Any person with control of all or part of a building
Where responsibility is shared, duty holders should cooperate and coordinate to ensure fire safety arrangements remain effective.
As lithium-ion batteries become increasingly common within the workplace, duty holders should ensure the associated fire risks are adequately considered within the fire risk assessment process.
Why Are Lithium-Ion Batteries a Fire Risk?
Lithium-ion batteries are found in an increasing range of products including:
- Mobile phones
- Laptops and tablets
- Power tools
- E-bikes and e-scooters
- Electric vehicles
- Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
Whilst generally safe when correctly manufactured, charged and maintained, lithium-ion batteries can fail under certain conditions and may behave very differently from conventional electrical equipment during a fire.
The most significant hazard is thermal runaway, a process in which a damaged or faulty battery cell generates heat that can rapidly spread to neighbouring cells, potentially resulting in fire, explosion or the release of flammable gases.
Common Causes of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Battery failures can occur for several reasons, including:
- Physical damage or impact
- Use of incorrect or counterfeit chargers
- Overcharging
- Manufacturing defects
- Exposure to excessive temperatures
- Poor maintenance
- Incorrect storage arrangements
- Battery modification or repair
Warning signs can include:
- Swelling or deformation
- Excessive heat generation
- Unusual odours
- Hissing or popping sounds
- Smoke or vapour emissions
Any battery exhibiting these signs should be taken out of service immediately and managed in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance.
What Makes Lithium Battery Fires Different?
Lithium-ion battery fires can:
- Develop rapidly
- Produce significant heat
- Re-ignite after appearing to be extinguished
- Generate large quantities of smoke
- Release potentially hazardous gases
- Present challenges for firefighters and emergency responders
For this reason, battery-related fire incidents often require different control measures from traditional electrical fires.
Precautions for Duty Holders
Duty holders should consider the following:
Charging Arrangements
Use manufacturer-approved charging equipment
- Avoid charging batteries in escape routes, stairways or circulation spaces
- Do not leave damaged batteries on charge
- Avoid charging high-risk devices unattended where possible
Storage
Store batteries away from combustible materials
- Protect batteries from damage and impact
- Avoid exposure to excessive heat or direct sunlight
- Follow manufacturer recommendations regarding storage conditions
Maintenance and Inspection
- Inspect batteries regularly for signs of damage
- Remove defective batteries from use immediately
- Ensure larger battery installations are subject to suitable maintenance regimes
- Maintain records of inspection and testing where appropriate
Fire Risk Assessment
A fire risk assessment should consider:
- The type and quantity of batteries present
- Charging and storage arrangements
- Emergency procedures
- Fire detection and warning systems
- Staff awareness and training
- Potential impacts on means of escape and firefighting operations
Specialist Firefighting Equipment
Where significant lithium-ion battery risks exist, duty holders may wish to consider specialist extinguishing media as part of their overall fire protection strategy.
Specialist lithium-ion battery extinguishers, such as Lith-Ex extinguishers, have been developed specifically to assist with cooling lithium-ion battery cells and helping to control thermal runaway events.
Examples of premises where specialist extinguishers may warrant consideration include:
- E-bike and e-scooter storage areas
- Electric vehicle workshops
- Battery energy storage installations
- Warehouses storing significant quantities of lithium-ion batteries
- Manufacturing or assembly facilities using battery technology
However, extinguishers should be viewed as a supplementary control measure and not as a substitute for good fire safety management, safe charging practices, maintenance and suitable emergency arrangements.
The need for specialist firefighting equipment should be determined through a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
Questions Duty Holders Should Ask
- Have lithium-ion battery risks been considered within the fire risk assessment?
- Are batteries stored and charged safely?
- Are damaged batteries identified and removed from use?
- Are staff aware of the warning signs of battery failure?
- Are emergency procedures appropriate for battery-related incidents?
- Is suitable firefighting equipment available where required?
- Have contractors and facilities teams been made aware of battery-related risks?
Key Message
Lithium-ion batteries are now commonplace within modern workplaces and commercial buildings.
Whilst they provide significant operational benefits, they can introduce fire risks that differ from traditional electrical equipment.
Duty holders should ensure that battery charging, storage, maintenance and emergency arrangements are reviewed as part of the fire risk assessment process to help protect people, property and business continuity.
Thomas Carroll can assist organisations in assessing and managing lithium-ion battery fire risks by undertaking a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
For further information, please contact Kelly Ladd at kelly.ladd@thomas-carroll.co.uk or on 02920 853731.
