Why you shouldn’t charge lithium-ion batteries in a safety cabinet

Where can you safely charge your lithium-ion (bike) batteries? And why is a safety cabinet – also known as a flammable storage cabinet – not the safest option? In this blog, we explain how to charge your batteries in a reliable and safe way, and why choosing a certified battery safe is the right decision.

Safety cabinets, also referred to as flammable storage cabinets or chemical cabinets, are designed for storing flammable liquids. They comply with EN 14470-1, and are intended to protect the contents from fire from the outside. This works well for chemicals, but not for lithium-ion batteries.

Some manufacturers add power sockets to safety cabinets to make them suitable for charging batteries. But that doesn’t make them safe for lithium-ion use.

A battery fire generates an intense internal blaze with extreme heat and smoke. Flammable storage cabinets are not designed to contain this. The fire breaks out, and in some cases the cabinet doors may even burst open due to pressure build-up.

An example of a safety cabinet

A battery safe is specifically designed to contain a battery fire inside the safe. Batteryguard battery safes feature a robust safe-like construction and heavy-duty locking mechanism. This ensures that the fire remains contained and cannot spread to the surroundings.

The Batteryguard XL is also certified by ECB-S according to VDMA 24994. This independent certificate confirms that the safe can withstand extreme conditions – including a real battery fire. Want to know more about the differences between a battery cabinet and a battery safe? Continue reading in our blog Battery safe or battery cabinet, what’s the difference?

Insurers are increasingly concerned about the rising number of battery fires and the significant damage they often cause. That’s why they welcome the independent VDMA 24994 test requirements, which provide clarity about which battery safes are truly safe.

More and more insurers are including the use of a battery safe that has been tested according to the VDMA 24994 requirements by ECB-S as a condition in their policy terms. For organisations working with large numbers of lithium-ion batteries, this is becoming an essential requirement to remain insured.

Curious about the latest regulations and insurance requirements? Visit our regulations page and read the interview with risk expert Bart van de Broek from Nationale-Nederlanden.

Do you work with lithium-ion batteries? Then make sure you’re not exposed to unnecessary risks. Our online risk check shows you in under 1 minute whether your situation poses a fire hazard – and what steps you can take to reduce the risk.

The check is quick, anonymous, and completely free of charge.

Want to know the difference between a battery safe and a cabinet with a socket? Or are you curious which solution suits your situation best?
Schedule a personal consultation – we’re happy to help you.