UK fire services attended 46% more fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in 2023 than in 2022, as reported by QBE.
The batteries, which power electric vehicles such as bikes, scooters, and cars, were involved in nearly three fires daily last year, up from under two fires a day the previous year.
QBE is advocating for improvements in lithium-ion battery safety due to the unique dangers these fires pose.
Adrian Simmonds, practice leader for property risk solutions at QBE Insurance, said: “We see more fires linked to lithium-ion batteries, which is concerning.
“They burn differently from normal fires, so people attempting to put them out run more risks of injury.”
Rise in fires across various electric vehicles
Data collected by QBE from FOI requests to all UK fire services shows a significant increase in fires involving electric vehicles.
In 2023, 270 fires were linked to electric bikes, a 70% rise from the 158 incidents in 2022.
Similarly, electric scooter fires increased by 7%, from 117 to 125.
The London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of lithium-ion fires last year with 378 incidents, followed by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service with 70, and Avon Fire and Rescue Service, covering Bath and Bristol, with 57.
Surprisingly, Greater Manchester reported fewer lithium-ion fires (24) than West Sussex (25).
Electric car and bus fires
Fires involving electric cars increased by 33%, rising from 89 incidents in 2022 to 118 in 2023.
This figure remains relatively low compared to the one million electric cars on UK roads.
Additionally, the UK recorded more fires involving electric buses and trucks than any other European country.
Fires involving electric buses rose by 22% last year, while incidents involving electric trucks quadrupled.
QBE’s Simmonds emphasized the need for better safety measures: “We welcome the adoption of electric vehicles.
To help with a safer rollout, we are calling for more support for fire services to help improve education in dealing with the new risk profile.”
Safety recommendations from QBE
Lithium-ion fires result from “thermal runaway,” where batteries overheat irreversibly, often due to impact damage, over-charging, or overheating.
To mitigate risks, QBE provided recommendations for safe use and charging of electric devices and vehicles.
Consumers are advised to buy electric devices from reputable retailers, use the provided chargers, and charge devices in well-ventilated areas away from combustible materials.
Businesses using electric vehicles should ensure chargers are at least 2 meters away from combustibles and have formal maintenance contracts for chargers.
Battery fires in bin lorries and at waste disposal sites across the UK have surged to an unprecedented level, with over 1,200 incidents recorded in the last year, marking a 71% increase from the previous year’s 700 incidents.
This rise coincides with the disposal of 6 billion batteries, including 1.1 billion electrical items containing lithium-ion batteries, as reported by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
The NFCC has described these fires involving lithium-ion batteries as “a disaster waiting to happen,” emphasizing the severe risks and challenges posed to public safety and environmental health.
Impact and challenges
The frequency of battery fires has led to significant air pollution, often breaching World Health Organization limits and impacting the health of local communities.
These fires not only pose environmental hazards but also come with substantial financial costs, with some insurance claims reported by Zurich UK reaching up to £20 million.
The fires, often caused by the incorrect disposal of batteries, present unique challenges to fire services due to their unpredictable and explosive nature, which can prolong incidents and tie up essential resources.
Campaign and community response
In response to the escalating issue, the “Stop Battery Fires” campaign, launched by Recycle Your Electricals and the NFCC, aims to raise awareness about the importance of proper electrical and battery recycling.
The campaign highlights the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries when disposed of improperly, including the risk of explosions and prolonged fires that can significantly affect nearby communities.
According to new research conducted by Opinium for Recycle Your Electricals, a vast majority of UK adults are unaware of the risks associated with disposing of electrical items that contain chargeable batteries.
Expert opinions and solutions
Phil Clark, Emerging Energy Technologies Lead for the NFCC, emphasized the preventability of these incidents through proper disposal practices: “Fires involving the incorrect disposal of lithium-ion batteries are preventable tragedies.
“Fire services are increasingly encountering these incidents, which are avoidable through proper recycling of electricals.”
Additionally, Scott Butler, Executive Director of Recycle Your Electricals, called on the public to never dispose of batteries and electricals in household bins and to use designated recycling points instead.
IFSJ Comment
The increase in battery fires across the UK is a critical issue that highlights the need for heightened public awareness and improved waste management practices.
The collaboration between the NFCC and Recycle Your Electricals through the “Stop Battery Fires” campaign is a positive step towards mitigating this problem.
Introduction to the UK’s growing issue with EV battery fires
The popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has surged in recent years, leading to an increase in the number of fires caused by EV batteries.
This alarming trend has been highlighted in a recent study conducted by CE Safety, which sheds light on the regions most affected by these fires in the UK during the fiscal year 2022/23.
Regional analysis of electric vehicle battery fires
The study, based on Freedom of Information requests to Fire and Rescue Services, reveals a total of 390 battery fires related to EVs.
This marks a significant rise from the data collected over the previous five years (2017-2022).
Greater London emerged as the most affected region with 219 battery fires, a dramatic increase compared to other regions.
Lancashire and Merseyside followed, with 16 and 14 EV battery fires, respectively.
Notably, five regions including Cheshire and Gloucestershire reported zero EV-related battery fires.
Insight into electric vehicle types most prone to battery fires
The types of EVs experiencing these fires have also evolved.
Electric bikes topped the list with 160 incidents, a stark contrast to the previous five-year period where electric cars were more prone to battery fires.
This shift highlights the changing landscape of EV usage and the associated risks.
Preventative measures and safety tips
With the rise in EV usage, understanding the risks associated with lithium batteries, which power these vehicles, becomes critical.
Lithium batteries are sensitive to high temperatures and prone to overheating, posing a fire risk.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service offers crucial advice to mitigate these risks, including charging vehicles outside, ensuring smoke alarms are fitted, and avoiding overnight charging.
The report from CE Safety underscores a growing concern in the realm of fire safety: the increase in electric vehicle battery fires.
This trend is particularly worrying given the rapid adoption of EVs as a sustainable transport solution.
The detailed regional analysis provides valuable insights for fire and safety professionals, highlighting the need for enhanced awareness and preventative measures.
The shift in the types of vehicles most affected, from cars to electric bikes, reflects the evolving nature of EV use and underscores the importance of adapting safety protocols accordingly.
As we embrace new technologies, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about the associated risks and ensure that safety remains a top priority.
Over the past decade, batteries have quietly become the unsung heroes that power our daily lives.
From the smartphones that keep us connected to the electric vehicles revolutionising our commutes, batteries play an integral role in our modern existence.
Yet, as our appetite for high-performance batteries grows, so does the threat of a potentially catastrophic danger: thermal runaway.
It’s a term that’s often shrouded in mystery for many, but its implications are profound.
When thermal runaway takes hold, it can transform a seemingly harmless battery into a ticking time bomb, capable of causing fires, explosions, and substantial damage to property and life.
In this article, we will shine a light on the shadowy realm of thermal runaway in batteries.
We’ll dissect what it is, unravel the intricate web of dangers it weaves, dissect the main culprits behind its occurrence, and, most importantly, arm you with the knowledge to prevent it.
As we journey through the world of batteries, we’ll equip you with insights and strategies to ensure that these energy storage devices remain the trusted servants they are meant to be, rather than becoming potential hazards.
What is Thermal Runaway in Batteries?
Thermal runaway in batteries is an intricate and potentially catastrophic chain reaction, rooted in the physics and chemistry of these energy storage devices.
It’s a phenomenon that occurs when a battery experiences an overheat, causing a domino effect of events within its confines.
Thermal runaway can happen from overheating
At the heart of thermal runaway lies a crucial factor: temperature.
Batteries are designed to operate within a specific temperature range.
When this equilibrium is disrupted trouble begins to brew.
As the battery’s temperature starts to rise, it initiates chemical reactions within its cells that generate heat and energy.
These reactions, usually tightly controlled during normal battery operation, become increasingly exothermic as temperatures climb.
In other words, they start producing more heat than they release under normal circumstances.
This excess heat further accelerates the chemical reactions, akin to throwing fuel onto a fire.
As the heat and energy production surge, the temperature inside the battery spikes uncontrollably.
It’s a self-sustaining cycle, akin to a snowball rolling downhill, picking up speed and mass as it goes.
As the battery’s temperature surges beyond critical levels, its components can undergo significant structural changes.
The electrolyte, which typically serves as a benign mediator of ions between the battery’s anode and cathode, can break down into volatile compounds.
This breakdown releases gases that can lead to internal pressure buildup. The battery may swell or vent these gases in an attempt to release the mounting pressure.
In extreme cases, this pressure release can lead to a battery rupture or even an explosion.
More often, it results in the battery catching fire, creating a hazardous and difficult-to-control situation.
The outcome is a devastating release of thermal energy that can cause significant damage to property and pose grave risks to human safety.
What are the Dangers of Thermal Runaway?
The dangers associated with thermal runaway in batteries are multifaceted and far-reaching, encompassing a spectrum of immediate and long-term risks.
Understanding these perils is essential in appreciating the gravity of this danger:
Fire Hazard
Perhaps the most immediate and palpable peril is the propensity for thermal runaway to cause fires.
As the battery’s temperature skyrockets and chemical reactions spiral out of control, it generates intense heat.
This heat can readily ignite flammable materials within or around the battery.
In enclosed spaces or environments where combustible materials are present, such as homes or vehicles, the consequences can be catastrophic.
In the most severe instances of thermal runaway, the battery may undergo catastrophic failure, leading to explosions.
The relentless buildup of pressure from the release of gases within the battery can exceed the structural integrity of its enclosure.
The resultant explosion can send debris flying and create shockwaves, posing grave risks to anyone in proximity.
These explosions can also exacerbate fires or lead to secondary explosions of nearby objects, amplifying the overall threat.
Toxic Gas Emissions
Certain types of batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, have the potential to release toxic gases when subjected to thermal runaway.
These gases, which may include carbon monoxide and hydrogen fluoride, can be harmful to human health when inhaled.
Exposure to these toxic fumes can lead to respiratory distress, poisoning, or other severe health consequences, particularly in situations where adequate ventilation is lacking.
Property Damage
Thermal runaway events have the capacity to cause extensive property damage, especially in cases where fires or explosions occur indoors.
The combination of intense heat, flames, and toxic emissions can wreak havoc on structures and belongings.
Not only does this result in significant financial losses, but it can also ruin lives.
Batteries contain a variety of chemicals and materials that can be harmful to the ecosystem.
Improper disposal of batteries that have experienced thermal runaway can lead to contamination of soil, water, and air.
The leaching of hazardous substances can have lasting ecological consequences, affecting wildlife and vegetation in the vicinity.
The dangers associated with thermal runaway are not confined to a single aspect; rather, they encompass a complex web of risks that can have dire consequences for individuals, property, and the environment.
Addressing these perils necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes prevention, mitigation, and appropriate responses to thermal runaway events.
What are the Main Causes of Thermal Runaway?
Understanding the main causes of thermal runaway in batteries is essential for both safety and prevention.
Overcharging
Overcharging occurs when a battery receives more electrical energy than it can safely store, which can be a major issue with regards to electric vehicle fires .
This excess energy leads to an increase in temperature, which can trigger thermal runaway.
Thermal Runaway can happen from overcharging
Modern batteries often incorporate protective measures like built-in voltage regulators or charge controllers to prevent overcharging.
These mechanisms help ensure that the battery doesn’t receive excessive energy during charging.
External Heat
Batteries exposed to elevated temperatures from external sources are at risk of overheating.
High ambient temperatures can cause chemical reactions within the battery to accelerate, leading to thermal runaway.
It’s crucial to avoid leaving batteries in direct sunlight, hot vehicles, or other environments with extreme heat to mitigate this risk.
Physical Damage
Physical damage to a battery can compromise its internal structure and safety mechanisms.
Even minor punctures or dents can create pathways for internal components to come into contact, potentially leading to short circuits and thermal runaway.
Proper handling and storage of batteries are vital to prevent physical damage.
Manufacturing Defects
Poorly manufactured batteries can have internal defects that make them prone to thermal runaway.
These defects may include subpar assembly, improper sealing, or flaws in the battery’s internal components.
Quality control during battery production is essential to detect and prevent such defects.
Short Circuits
A short circuit represents a direct pathway for the rapid discharge of electrical energy within a battery.
This discharge generates heat, which can contribute to thermal runaway.
Short circuits can occur due to various factors, including internal defects, physical damage, or contaminants within the battery.
Contamination
Contaminants that infiltrate a battery can disrupt its chemical reactions, leading to thermal runaway.
Contaminants might include foreign materials or impurities introduced during manufacturing or as a result of exposure to external elements.
Ensuring that batteries remain free from contamination is crucial for their safe operation.
Thermal runaway in batteries is a complex process that can result from a combination of factors.
Mitigating this risk involves proper battery management, including avoiding overcharging, protecting batteries from external heat sources, preventing physical damage, and maintaining stringent quality control in battery production.
Additionally, user awareness and responsible disposal of old or damaged batteries contribute to overall safety.
Recognizing and addressing these causes are essential steps in minimising the potential dangers associated with thermal runaway in batteries.
How can Thermal Runaway be Prevented?
Preventing thermal runaway in batteries is a matter of paramount importance to ensure the safety of individuals and property.
These systems continuously monitor various battery parameters, including voltage, current, and, crucially, temperature.
If the BMS detects that the battery is operating outside safe temperature limits or is at risk of overcharging or over-discharging, it can take corrective actions.
These may include adjusting the charging rate, shutting down charging, or even disconnecting the battery from the system to prevent further temperature escalation.
Proper Charging
One of the most effective ways to prevent thermal runaway is to follow the manufacturer’s charging guidelines diligently.
Overcharging a battery forces excess energy into it, increasing the risk of overheating.
By adhering to recommended charging practices, you help maintain the battery within safe operating conditions.
Temperature Management
Batteries should be operated and stored within their specified temperature ranges.
Extreme heat can accelerate internal chemical reactions, while extreme cold can reduce a battery’s efficiency.
Ensuring that batteries are not exposed to temperatures outside these limits helps prevent thermal runaway.
Physical Protection
Physical damage to batteries, such as punctures or impacts, can create internal short circuits and lead to thermal runaway.
Handling batteries with care and protecting them from physical harm is essential. This includes proper packaging during transport and storage.
Quality Assurance
Choosing batteries from reputable manufacturers with stringent quality control measures reduces the risk of using batteries with manufacturing defects.
High-quality batteries are more likely to adhere to safety standards and are less prone to internal flaws that could lead to thermal runaway.
Avoid Contaminants
Contaminants within a battery can disrupt its chemical reactions and increase the risk of thermal runaway.
To prevent this, batteries should be kept clean and protected from foreign substances that might infiltrate their internal components.
Safe Disposal
When it’s time to dispose of batteries, follow local regulations and guidelines for proper disposal methods.
Recycling or disposing of batteries correctly not only prevents environmental contamination but also reduces the risk of mishandling that could lead to thermal runaway.
Conclusion
While batteries have revolutionised the way we power our devices and vehicles, they are not without risks.
Thermal runaway in batteries is a serious issue that can lead to fires, explosions, and environmental damage.
Understanding the dangers, causes, and prevention methods associated with thermal runaway is essential for safely harnessing the power of batteries in our modern world and helping with the future of fire safety.
By following best practices and being aware of the risks, we can continue to benefit from the convenience and efficiency that batteries provide while minimising potential hazards.
Battery fires in electric mobility devices under the spotlight
The increased reliance on lithium-ion batteries in devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters, is resulting in a growing safety concern.
Despite their many benefits, including improved mobility, efficiency, and environmental impact, these energy-dense batteries also present a significant safety risk, according to Jim Pauley, president and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Pauley’s comments, originally published in an opinion piece for CNN, shed light on the escalating problem of lithium-ion battery fires.
The increasing threat of battery fires
According to Pauley, these batteries can cause exceptional damage if they catch fire. Fires initiated by lithium-ion batteries, particularly in e-bikes and e-scooters, are fed by a process known as ‘thermal runaway’.
These fires release toxic fumes and often require large amounts of water to extinguish.
What’s more, such battery fires can reignite days or weeks later, due to energy trapped within the damaged battery cells.
The New York Fire Department reported over 100 lithium-ion battery fires this year alone, causing 13 fatalities.
The gravity of the situation was recently highlighted by a devastating fire in an e-bike repair shop in Manhattan, leading to four deaths.
Tackling battery fires and ensuring safety
Addressing these safety challenges, Pauley suggests, requires a comprehensive approach: “Solving complex fire and life safety problems demands a comprehensive approach that includes regulatory action for using and enforcing codes and standards, well-trained and resourced first responders, and public education on the threat and actions that can be taken to avoid harm.”
According to him, regulations should limit the number of devices in various occupancies, establish guidelines for safe device disposal, and require batteries to bear the mark of an accredited testing laboratory.
He points out that New York City now requires e-mobility devices’ battery packs to be certified by an accredited testing laboratory.
Pauley also stressed the importance of training fire departments and first responders to safely handle lithium-ion battery fires: “The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) actively supports national campaigns like the annual Safety Stand Down initiative, which focused on lithium-ion batteries last month as a way to increase firefighter health and safety.”
He also emphasised the need for consumer awareness about potential hazards and the importance of using devices, batteries, and charging equipment that have been tested and labelled by a nationally recognised lab.
The role of lithium-ion batteries in our future
Lithium-ion batteries undeniably bring many advantages to society. However, their associated risks need to be managed. Pauley believes that by working together within the fire and life safety ecosystem framework, we can enjoy the benefits of these batteries without compromising safety.
IFSJ Comment
Pauley’s article highlights a significant, growing risk associated with our shift towards environmentally friendly, electric-powered mobility options.
It underscores the importance of robust safety measures and regulations, effective emergency response training, and public education to mitigate the risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires.
Paul Christensen, Professor of Pure and Applied Electrochemistry at Newcastle University talks thermal runaway
Professor Paul Christensen’s professional career in Electrochemistry started at the University of Oxford before moving to Newcastle University. He is currently involved in lithium-ion research projects including the ongoing research programmes concerning the ignition of large lithium ion battery modules, stacks of modules and battery packs in collaboration with a number of fire and rescue services, first responders, Kings College London and battery manufacturers and assemblers.
IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey caught up with Paul to get to grips with the risks surrounding lithium-ion batteries, what exactly thermal runaway is, and what can be done to stop it.
What are lithium-ion battery a fire risk?
Lithium-ion batteries shouldn’t exist. They’re what is called ‘thermodynamically unstable’. You’ve got two electrodes, one is a mixed metal oxide, the other one is mainly graphite. When you charge the lithium-ion battery, the lithium ions are initially in the mix with metal oxide, they come out, move through the solvent, through the separator and go into the graphite. That lithiated graphite is at a very high energy.
If you’ve ever dropped sodium or lithium into water and washed it fizz you’ll see it’s very energetic. It immediately reacts with the solvent to generate heat, hydrogen, methane, and all sorts of other gases. The problem is that heat speeds up these chemical processes, producing more heat and more gas. If that continues, you get a bang.
Fortunately, at the same time, a thin protective layer forms on the graphite particles called the solid electrolyte interface, and it acts like a prophylactic. It stops the particles touching the solvent whist allowing free passage of the lithium ions.
If that solvent electrolyte gets damaged for any reason, those reactions can start again. The problem is that the heat is produced exponentially but heat only dissipates through the surfaces of an object which is a linear process, not exponential. When these two lines cross, you will see a measurable temperature rise.
What is thermal runwaway?
Thermal runaway is when exothermic, heat producing processes become self-sustaining and then you just can’t stop it. You are in uncontrolled positive feedback, producing more heat and more gas until it pops.
Lithium batteries operate a little bit warm just by their nature, but as long as the battery is allowed to vent its heat then it dissipates nicely. For example, a mobile phone has a very high surface area to volume ratio. But if you charge a mobile phone under your pillow that can send it into thermal runaway and people have been injured, and I believe killed doing this.
As you get the bigger and bigger lithium-ion batteries, the surface area to volume ratio gets worse and worse. The heat that should be escaping and dissipating stays inside the battery.
Lithium ion batteries are being used widely in the electrification of vehicles – what is the scale of the problem here?
Electric vehicles cover everything from light electric vehicles right the way up to HGVs and trains. Large electric vehicles pose the lowest risk. Disregarding crashes, no large electric vehicles have killed anybody.
The immediate and present danger is from light electric vehicles such as bikes and scooters. The problem is that the time between an e-scooter showing the first signs of thermal runaway and fire or explosion can be 10 seconds or less. You’ve got no time to get out.
We’ve had many people die or be injured in house fires caused by light electric vehicles because they develop so fast that by the time the fire service arrives, it’s a house or a flat fire. These tragic incidents could easily be avoided just by some simple guidelines, but people continue to die, homes and lives continue to be wrecked because of such fires and as far as we can see, nothing is being done.
What are the simple guidelines that people should be following?
First of all, don’t charge your e-bike, e-scooter, e-skateboard etc indoors. Don’t. That is it. Full stop. If you have to – if you absolutely have to – do not charge them overnight. Do not charge them if you’re out. Charge them somewhere where anything that can burn is minimised. Don’t charge them in an exit or near an exit route, you might only have seconds to get out.
A significant problem is that people are modifying ordinary bikes or assembling spare batteries for e-bikeswith batteries bought online. The unregulated trade of lithium-ion batteries online should be stopped.
Is there a future in which we are able to have safe lithium ion-powered vehicles?
Yes. As a species were very good at managing risk. Lithium-ion batteries have simply taken us by surprise. The first lithium battery was discovered in in the mid-80s. They were commercialised in 1991 for camcorders, etc. The large lithium ion batteries, like full electric vehicles and grid-scale battery energy storage systems only really started off in 2008, so we haven’t had much time to learn about the problems.
Is there a way to neutralise the threat of thermal runaway?
Every single battery energy storage system designs for safety. Grid scale systems are also designing for failure. If we accept there’s going to be a failure the key thing is to stop this thermal propagation where heat gets passed from cell to cell and the thermal runaway propagates. There are ways and means of addressing that and they are being explored in grid scale systems all the time. The same is happening with electric vehicles.
The bottom line is that if you cram a large amount of energy into a very small space and it gets released in an uncontrolled fashion and does so rapidly, then doesn’t matter what the chemistry is whether it’s a lithium-ion battery or something else – you could be in trouble.
What should the fire service be aware of when it comes to putting out these kind of fires?
I’ve been working with Fire Rescue Services in the UK and abroad for a few years and I think the general understanding has permeated. Our UK Fire Rescue Service has a very cautionary and staged approach to fires and a lot of it is risk assessment.
The challenge with electric vehicles is, first of all, the possibility of a vapour cloud explosion, the venting of the gas outside, and that gas igniting and causing a vapour cloud explosion – which has happened with electric vehicles. If the gas ignites as soon as it is vented you get rocket-like flames. You’ve got to be aware of them and that makes fighting the fire very difficult.
Where the gases vent and where those flames come from will be a weak spot – but they’re coming out with very high pressure, you’re not going to get any water back through that tiny orifice. Putting water on the car is rather like having a fire in your kitchen and putting the water onto the roof of your house. The fire services are well aware of this as well as the toxicity risks which is why they use breathing apparatus.
Finally, if you think you’ve put the fire out, then the chances are you actually haven’t – it’s likely just gone into the dormant phase. Electric vehicles are known to have reignited hours, days or even weeks after the initial incident when they were apparently extinguished. What you don’t want is to sign off the vehicle to a recovery firm and it then re-ignites on the firm’s premises and causes damage or, worse, injury or death.
This article was originally published in the April edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.
The Extinguishing Section of Euralarm has published a guidance document on integrated fire protection solutions for lithium-ion batteries. This new guideline provides information on the issues related to the use of lithium-ion batteries, how fires start in batteries and on how they may be detected, controlled, suppressed, and extinguished. It also provides guidance on post fire management. Excluded from the scope are explosion and ventilation issues.
Lithium-Ion batteries have become the battery technology of choice in a variety of areas, including amongst others, power generation, communications, industrial, vehicles and many other applications. Active control of the energy being stored and extracted from lithium-ion batteries has been the foundation of their increasing popularity. The relatively low frequency of major incidents is testament to the effort and successful design applied to the critical aspect of using such high-density energy products. However, active control of the battery energy is not sufficient to prevent safety-critical situations and multiple levels of defence are needed to minimize the serious consequences of a failure in a lithium-ion battery.
The increasing number of lithium-ion batteries and an increasing amount of stored energy in different energy storage applications present a new type of fire hazard where fire protection is challenging. Key issues in any fire protection system are the selection of the most appropriate agent for the specific hazard, system layout, the correct discharge of the extinguishing agent, as well as correct installation, the use of approved systems and constant maintenance by appropriately trained staff.
The guidance document ‘Integrated fire protection solutions for lithium-ion batteries’ is intended as guidance for all professionals dealing with fire safety, fire protection, extinguishing and fire suppression in connection with the use, storage or transport of lithium-ion batteries and their fire risks. Aspects of consumers products are not covered in this guidance.
The document is intended as general guidance and is not a substitute for detailed advice in specific circumstances. It represents the current understanding of the industry and will be updated as more information becomes available.
