Battery fire: why lithium-ion batteries pose a serious risk
Do you work with lithium-ion batteries in a workshop, warehouse or hire location? Then the risk of battery fire is something you need to take seriously.
Lithium-ion batteries are used in a wide range of vehicles and devices, including e-bikes, power tools, pallet trucks and delivery scooters. They are powerful, efficient and easy to use. But they can also be dangerous, particularly while charging.
A damaged or faulty battery can ignite within seconds. When that happens, it can produce intense heat, dense smoke and, in some cases, an explosion. The resulting damage can be severe, affecting your premises, your equipment and, most importantly, your employees. Many organisations still charge batteries in different places across the building. It may seem practical, but it significantly increases the risk.
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What is a battery fire and how does it start?
A battery fire is a fire that starts inside the battery itself. In lithium-ion batteries, the temperature can rise extremely quickly. This is caused by a chemical chain reaction inside the battery, known as thermal runaway.
When thermal runaway occurs, a battery may begin to smoke, catch fire, become extremely hot or even explode. That is what makes battery fires so dangerous. They develop rapidly, are difficult to extinguish, can spread quickly and may release toxic fumes.
A battery fire rarely happens without an underlying cause. In many cases, the battery has already been damaged. The problem is that this damage is not always visible from the outside. A battery may appear to be in good condition, while internally it is no longer safe
Why is battery fire a risk for your organisation?
In many businesses, batteries are charged in multiple locations throughout the building. And that is often where the risk begins.
The danger is even greater in organisations where large numbers of batteries are in daily use, such as workshops, warehouses and hire companies. The same batteries may be used by different people, or returned by customers or employees. That means you do not always know what they have been through.
The more batteries you have in circulation, the more users are involved, and the fewer fixed procedures are in place, the greater the risk of battery fire.
Does this sound familiar?
How often do battery fires occur?
Battery fires are more common than many people realise. According to reports by Dutch news outlet NOS, hundreds of building fires each year are linked to e-bike batteries.
Many incidents occur during charging. Yet the risk is still widely underestimated. Often, the danger only becomes clear once smoke appears or a battery fails, and by then, you may only have seconds to respond. Because a battery fire develops so quickly, prevention is far more important than reaction.
Would you like to know how high the risk is in your situation?
Source: News agency District8
What are the consequences for your business?
A battery fire is not a minor incident. Even if action is taken quickly, the consequences can be serious. In many cases, the greatest impact is not only the fire itself, but everything that follows. Your operations may come to a standstill. Employees may be unable to work. Customers are left waiting. And in a short space of time, a great deal needs to be arranged.
Damage
to your building and equipment
Risk
to the safety of your employees
Interruption
of your business
Potential issues
with your insurer
The impact of a battery fire
A battery fire develops extremely quickly and is difficult to control. Within a short time, large amounts of heat, toxic fumes and flammable gases may be released. The fire can spread rapidly and is notoriously difficult to extinguish.
In the video, you can see what happens when a battery catches fire inside an enclosed cabinet. Pressure builds up quickly, causing the doors to burst open. It is a clear example of how much force can be released and how fast a situation can escalate.
That is why it is so important to think carefully about where and how batteries are charged.
Insurers are imposing stricter requirements
Fire services and insurers are seeing the same pattern: many incidents occur during charging, and the damage caused by battery fires is increasing. As a result, insurers are becoming stricter about how lithium-ion batteries are stored and charged. In a video interview with Batteryguard, risk engineer Bart van de Broek of Nationale-Nederlanden explains why preventive measures are becoming increasingly important
If your organisation works with lithium-ion batteries, you need to be able to show that you do so safely. In practice, that often means charging batteries in a safe, controlled environment, such as a battery safe. Not sure whether your charging area meets current requirements?
How can you make battery charging safer in your organisation?
The risk of battery fire should form part of your risk assessment. This helps you identify where the main risks lie, for example during battery charging or storage.
It is also important to consider what should happen if something does go wrong. A battery fire develops quickly and is difficult to extinguish. Your emergency response team should know how to act in the event of smoke, heat or fire caused by a battery. By identifying risks in advance and preparing your emergency procedures properly, you reduce the likelihood of a serious incident.
For many organisations, a battery safe is a logical next step. It provides one fixed, controlled place to charge batteries and helps reduce the risk of battery fire.
“I live above the shop with my family. That is the main reason we now have a battery safe.”
Rob Hendriks, owner of bicycle shop Bike Totaal Thijs Hendriks
Make sure you know where you stand
Battery fire is not a risk you want to assess on instinct alone. You need a clear understanding of your current situation and the steps you can take to improve it. Batteryguard supports organisations every day in creating safer charging environments, from initial insight to a solution tailored to their specific situation. Request a personal consultation. This is completely without obligation.
Would you like to learn more first? Download the whitepaper and read more about battery fires, battery safes and the requirements set by insurers.
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