SWANA and Fire Rover launch lithium-ion battery safety resource hub

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsSafety

Fire Rover collaboration with SWANA on battery safety webpage

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has partnered with Fire Rover to launch a webpage focused on battery safety and preventing fires linked to lithium-ion batteries disposed of in waste and recycling streams, as reported by Waste Today.

SWANA said lithium-ion batteries are increasingly common in everyday products and can end up in household trash and recycling bins.

It said batteries can ignite fires in collection vehicles, processing facilities and landfills.

The webpage is described as a resource for fire safety and data collection, with waste and resource management professionals encouraged to report fires that occurred at facilities or in vehicles.

It includes an anonymous reporting feature with fields for incident details, the cause if known and photos.

Webpage tools and reporting fields

Waste Today said the webpage includes a searchable tool to help users find battery drop-off and recycling locations near them.

It also includes educational content and resources focused on battery safety and fire prevention.

The webpage also includes information describing the roles of communities and industry professionals in reducing battery-related fire risks.

SWANA said it will use the reported data and examples to support outreach and advocacy efforts for battery safety.

SWANA CEO Amy Lestition Burke said: “Battery safety has been a top priority for SWANA,

“This new webpage is our latest tool to support our members and the public with preventing battery-related fires.

“We have been hearing from our SWANA Lithium-Ion Battery Workgroup about the need for a centralized database to report battery fires.

“Fire Rover, a corporate partner of SWANA, worked with us to make this a reality.

“We appreciate this productive partnership with Fire Rover.”

Ryan Fogelman of Fire Rover said: “This new webpage reflects the shared mission of SWANA and Fire Rover to protect workers, facilities and the public from the growing risk of fires linked to lithium-ion batteries.

“Preventing battery-caused fires requires education, shared responsibility and access to practical solutions.”

The organisations said the broader partnership also covers data sharing, education and joint programming linked to lithium-ion battery fire hazards.

Why this North London recycling site turned to Siemens for fire safety

by Featured NewsProjectsWaste & Recycling

Fire detection system installed at Islington Waste Recycling Centre

Siemens has reported that its Cerberus PRO fire detection system has been installed at the Islington Waste Recycling Centre in North London.

The project replaced a 20-year-old system to address evolving waste management fire risks.

According to Siemens, the site handles mixed recyclable waste including plastics, paper, cardboard, wood and rubber.

It said the growing presence of disposable vapes and battery fires has increased the hazard profile.

The facility is one of seven in North London that together process 820,000 tonnes of waste and recycling each year.

Partnership with TP Fire and Security

The installation was delivered in partnership with TP Fire and Security.

Siemens noted that TP Fire and Security is an approved partner and a long-standing provider of fire detection and alarm services to Islington Council.

The firm explained that TP operates from offices in Norfolk, Essex and the Midlands, delivering design, installation and maintenance services nationwide.

TP Fire and Security became an approved partner after Tom Warner joined the business as a fire safety engineer.

Warner had previously worked with Siemens systems and identified the Cerberus PRO as well suited to the Islington site.

Features of the Cerberus PRO system

The Cerberus PRO was selected for its ability to avoid false alarms in dusty environments.

Siemens stated that its advanced signal analysis (ASA) detectors use tailored parameters to distinguish between actual fires and deceptive triggers such as dust.

This configuration reduces disruption while maintaining early detection capability.

Kevin Harris, Technical Design Manager at TP Fire and Security, said: “The Cerberus Pro system was perfect for this environment, with the detectors’ particular capability to operate in such a dusty environment.

“The project went very well, taking some seven days to complete, all while the waste facility was open and operational.”

System layout across the facility

Three Cerberus PRO panels have been installed.

They connect to ASA detectors and manual call points via the existing compliant cabling.

The setup includes 69 detectors in the basement, 38 on the ground floor, and 52 across the first and second floors including the plant room.

A further 74 detectors are located in the tipping hall and 42 in the offices.

Siemens highlighted that the system supports rapid detection in environments where the available reaction time is short.

Experience in waste sector applications

Siemens has extensive experience in protecting waste processing facilities worldwide.

It worked closely with TP Fire and Security to ensure the installation met all relevant fire safety regulations and standards.

Waste sites contain combustible materials and can present ignition sources from processing equipment.

The company indicated that the Cerberus PRO technology is designed to address these hazards.

It added that systems of this type play a role in preventing escalation of small incidents.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

This installation shows the use of fire detection systems tailored to industrial and environmental demands.

It underlines the operational value of false alarm immunity.

It also demonstrates the importance of customised fire safety measures for waste facilities handling combustible materials.

Siemens Cerberus PRO deployed at Islington Waste Recycling Centre: Summary

Siemens reported that its Cerberus PRO fire detection system has been installed at the Islington Waste Recycling Centre in North London.

The project replaced a 20-year-old system.

It addressed risks from disposable vapes and battery fires.

The site processes plastics, paper, cardboard, wood and rubber.

TP Fire and Security installed the system.

The setup used three Cerberus PRO panels and ASA detectors.

ASA detectors reduce false alarms in dusty environments.

Detectors were installed across the basement, floors, tipping hall and offices.

The system meets relevant fire safety standards.

Siemens has global experience in waste facility protection.

India issues fire prevention directive for landfill and waste sites

by Featured NewsFire DetectionWaste & Recycling

Fire directive targets open burning and landfill risk

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has reported that the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has issued new orders to reduce fire incidents at waste sites and cut air pollution.

Under Direction No. 91, the Commission has directed agencies across Delhi-NCR to prevent fires caused by legacy and fresh municipal solid waste (MSW) and biomass.

These measures aim to address rising concentrations of particulate matter and harmful gases linked to open burning.

The Commission’s directions are issued under Section 12 of the CAQM Act, 2021 and are intended to enhance fire safety at sanitary landfill (SLF) sites and dumpsites, with agencies instructed to take comprehensive fire mitigation actions.

Landfill fire prevention and legacy waste management

The Commission has ordered agencies to identify and assess fire risks at all SLF sites and dumps in the Delhi-NCR region.

This includes categorisation, boundary fencing, and the installation of CCTV systems and methane gas detectors.

The Ministry reported that timelines for bio-remediation and legacy waste liquidation should align with submissions made to the Supreme Court.

State governments and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) are expected to review and update action plans.

To prevent internal heat build-up, windrow temperatures must be monitored and logged.

Fire drills and audits must be conducted quarterly, with sites equipped with extinguishers, fire tenders, water tankers, earthmovers and sand.

New obligations for fresh waste handling

Agencies must now ensure that MSW is collected, processed and transported in line with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

According to the Ministry, there will be a zero-tolerance policy for open waste burning across transit and collection areas.

Surveillance will be increased in areas vulnerable to open burning, especially at night and in winter. Enforcement patrols will be expected to conduct regular checks.

Urban Local Bodies have also been directed to expand capacity for handling horticultural waste throughout the year.

Public engagement is required to help prevent fires caused by unauthorised burning.

The Ministry stated that Residents Welfare Associations, industry bodies, shopkeepers’ groups and sanitation staff are all expected to play a part through awareness and participation efforts.

Quarterly reports and enforcement

The Ministry confirmed that the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and State Pollution Control Boards must each provide a quarterly summary of compliance in a standardised format. These reports must detail actions taken to prevent fires and open burning.

The Ministry noted that these directions do not replace existing orders issued by the courts or other regulatory bodies, including the Central Pollution Control Board.

Non-compliance will be penalised under Clause 14 of the CAQM Act, 2021.

The Commission is seeking to ensure uniform enforcement and greater accountability in fire prevention and risk control at waste sites.

India issues fire prevention directive for landfill and waste sites: Summary

The Commission for Air Quality Management has issued Direction No. 91 under the CAQM Act, 2021.

The direction addresses fire incidents at landfill sites and the open burning of municipal waste and biomass in Delhi-NCR.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change confirmed the order on 4 June 2025.

The order applies to agencies operating within the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.

Measures include waste segregation, landfill temperature checks and CCTV surveillance.

Agencies must install gas detectors and conduct fire safety audits quarterly.

Open waste burning at collection and transit points is now banned.

Urban Local Bodies are instructed to expand waste handling capacity.

Public awareness campaigns must be conducted to reduce open burning.

Quarterly reports must be submitted to the Commission in a prescribed format.

Non-compliance may result in penalties under Clause 14 of the CAQM Act.

The directions supplement existing rules issued by the courts and CPCB.

The Ministry stated that the new measures are mandatory for all relevant agencies.