The fire risks of lithium-ion batteries

Mike Brodie, Managing Director of Chemstore UK, which provides hazardous storage solutions, offers insight into recent guidance on the safe storage of lithium-ion batteries in the UK.

Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous across various industries due to their high energy density, long life-cycle and lightweight design. However, their potential to overheat, combust and even explode has raised significant safety concerns, particularly when it comes to storage. With a rising number of fire incidents linked to lithium-ion batteries (including lithium iron phosphate batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage, and lithium-ion polymer batteries used in wearable and portable devices), there is increasing demand for enhanced regulatory measures and best practices to mitigate these risks. Such incidents include:

In February 2024 a recycling plant fire in Rousset, south-eastern France, experienced a major fire while storing 900 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries. The fire took days to fully extinguish and raised serious environmental concerns, particularly regarding potential water contamination from firefighting runoff. This incident underscored the importance of rigorous storage protocols, especially in facilities managing end-of-life batteries, which are more prone to instability.

In July 2023, a fire aboard the cargo ship Fremantle Highway off the coast of the Netherlands resulted in the death of one crew member and injuries to several others. The ship, carrying nearly 3,000 vehicles including EVs, likely saw its fire triggered by lithium-ion batteries. The fire spread rapidly, demonstrating the danger posed by the transport of large quantities of EVs and the inadequacy of existing fire suppression measures.

In early 2024, a fire broke out in a storage facility in Leicester, UK, due to improperly stored electric scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries. The lack of proper ventilation and fire suppression systems exacerbated the situation.

Latest insurance industry guidance

In response to battery-related fires, the insurance industry, including providers such as Aviva, issued updated guidance on the safe handling and storage of lithium-ion batteries. Key recommendations include:

• temperature control – batteries should be stored in cool, dry environments, ideally between 40-80°F (room temperature is acceptable), and away from direct sunlight, water and humidity to prevent overheating and degradation
• protection from physical damage – store batteries in secure, well-ventilated metal cabinets or containers to prevent accidental damage, which could increase the risk of short-circuiting or fire
• isolation of terminals – use terminal covers to prevent contact with other terminals or metal surfaces, which could lead to short circuits
• separation from flammable materials – keep lithium-ion batteries away from other flammable items to reduce the risk of fire spread in case of an incident
• fire protection systems – install sprinkler systems or, where not feasible, have fire extinguishing tools such as dry powder, carbon dioxide extinguishers or water mist on hand. However, in case of a fire, flooding the battery with water is the primary method for controlling lithium-ion fires
• fire risk assessments – conduct regular fire risk assessments, especially in facilities storing larger quantities of batteries, to ensure fire safety compliance and readiness for an emergency
• monitoring for overheating – use thermographic cameras to detect hot spots and monitor batteries for signs of overheating or ‘thermal runaway’ events, where a battery overheats uncontrollably; and
• battery condition checks – regular inspections for signs of damage or ageing can help prevent incidents. Damaged batteries should be removed immediately from storage and isolated to minimise risks.

These measures aim to prevent incidents, safeguard assets and align with relevant UK fire safety standards.

British Safety Council Guidance

In February 2024, the British Safety Council released an introductory guide for employers on managing the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in the workplace such as laptops, smartphones and wearables, with a particular focus on the challenges around the storage of e-bikes and e-scooters. 

The guide recommends employers should conduct thorough risk assessments, establish clear policies for charging and cable compliance and provide designated charging facilities to control hazards effectively. It also recommends having emergency response plans tailored to the unique firefighting requirements for lithium-ion batteries. Chemstore’s fire-resistant storage cabinets, for example, are engineered to ensure quick access for emergency services while containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the facility.

Battery Safety Bill

The Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Bill, which underwent its first reading on 6 September 2024, aims to enhance safety standards for lithium-ion battery usage, storage and disposal. Key provisions include mandating that local planning authorities consult with fire services and regulatory bodies (such as the Environment Agency and the GB Health and Safety Executive) before approving large-scale battery storage facilities to ensure fire and environmental safety. It requires online marketplaces to ensure that all products with lithium-ion batteries meet established safety regulations, helping prevent the sale of substandard, potentially hazardous products.

Additionally, it sets safety standards for micromobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters, requiring them to display compliance marks (CE or UKCA) after safety assessments. It also mandates the development of safe disposal protocols for lithium-ion batteries to mitigate fire risks in waste management systems.

While the Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Bill brings much-needed attention to lithium-ion battery safety, it offers little for businesses looking for direction on handling and storing batteries safely. Another Bill, the Lithium-Ion Battery Storage (Fire Safety and Environmental Permits) Bill introduced in the UK House of Commons in September 2022, did more to address it. That Bill however, focused primarily on regulatory oversight for industrial lithium-ion battery storage facilities and did not advance beyond its first reading.

It remains to be seen how far the Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Bill will progress. However, there is some speculation that its provisions could instead be incorporated into the Product Safety and Metrology Bill, which is also looking to address e-bike safety.

Lithium-ion battery safety is an evolving area of law, which can sometimes leave businesses seeking guidance on their safe handling and storage with more questions than answers. However, by keeping up to date with the latest guidance and best practices, companies can greatly reduce the risk of fires, explosions and environmental harm.

For more, visit chemstore.co.uk
Guidance on the safe handling and storage of lithium-ion batteries b.link/Aviva_lithium-ion
British Safety Council guidance b.link/BSC_lithium-ion
Further Aviva guidance b.link/Aviva_management

Image credit | Alamy