Be Aware of the Rising Risk of Lithium-ion Battery Fires!

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Written by Martin Turner

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January 23, 2025

The recent rise in fires caused by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is a growing concern. New stats from Scotland highlight an eightfold increase from 2018 to 2024. To safeguard your business—whether it's a care home, public building, office, industrial unit, hospitality venue or retail unit, consider the following safety measures.
e-scooter lithium ion battery fire

1. Purchase Equipment from Reputable Dealers/Outlets

  • Ensure all battery-powered devices and batteries are sourced from reputable manufacturers and comply with relevant safety standards. In the UK, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mandates that businesses maintain fire safety standards, making it crucial to select certified products.

2. Employee Education

  • Train staff to recognise the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries. Regular training sessions can help employees identify potential hazards and respond appropriately.

3. Use Approved Chargers

  • Always use chargers provided by the device manufacturer. Incompatible chargers can lead to overcharging, increasing the risk of fire.

4. Utilise Safe Charging Practices

  • Designated Charging Areas: Establish specific, well-ventilated areas for charging devices away from flammable materials. This aspect is vital in care homes and industrial units where vulnerable individuals or hazardous materials may be present.
  • Avoid Overnight Charging: To reduce fire risks, prohibit charging devices overnight or when the premises are unoccupied. For example, if you operate a care home, educate your team on the dangers of overcharging so they can spot danger in residents’ rooms.
  • Charge Outside: Consider charging relevant lithium-ion products outside, especially e-bikes and escooters.
  • Consider Ancillary Products: Using fire-resistant charging bags and containers is also an excellent alternative method of reducing the risk, especially for those who may forget to unplug a phone or similar device when fully charged

“There seems to be regular news of lithium-ion related fires especially with so many products using the battery type. It’s important to clarify that the major risk does not come from Lithium batteries that you might find in phones or laptops, (unless you have a large number stored, say 50+) but from manufactured or sealed units constructed from single cell batteries, such as an e-bike or car batteries, where the thermal runaway effect can propagate a self-sustaining fire. Your next fire risk assessment will identify if your business is a risk from a Lithium-based fire.

Martin Turner, Fire Risk Assessor and Fire Safety Trainer

5. Regular Inspections

  • Battery Checks: Implement routine inspections of all battery-powered devices for signs of damage, swelling, or overheating.
  • Fire Safety Equipment: Water-based fire extinguishers will cool down a lithium-based fire, but once depleted, the fire will ignite again due to thermal runaway. Specialist AVD extinguishers are available. Investing in the AVD type is recommended as this specialist equipment forms a hard shell around the fire. A fire risk assessment will provide recommendations and advice should a lithium-based fire risk/area of weakness be identified.

Book a Fire Risk Assessment

6. Responsible Disposal

  • Recycling: Batteries should be disposed of at dedicated recycling centres to prevent fires and environmental contamination. Improper disposal can lead to fires in waste management facilities.
  • Policy Implementation: Develop and enforce a clear policy for disposing of batteries and electronic devices within your business.

7. Emergency Preparedness

  • UK Fire Safety Regulations: The responsible person must conduct (or arrange for a professional to conduct) and regularly review a fire risk assessment to identify potential hazards, implement fire prevention measures, and ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO).
  • Evacuation Plans: Clear evacuation routes should be maintained, and all staff should be familiar with emergency procedures. For care homes, this includes having specific plans for residents with mobility issues.

8. Stay Informed

  • Regulatory Updates: Stay abreast of changes in fire safety regulations, such as the requirement that sprinklers be installed in all new care homes starting in March 2025.
  • Industry Best Practices: Regularly review industry guidelines and incorporate best practices into your fire safety protocols.

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