Published on 17 August 2023
European rules safe storage of lithium-ion batteries almost ready
European certification authority ECB-S soon to publish guidelines for safe battery safes
There are major risks associated with storing lithium-ion batteries. Batteries can spontaneously catch fire during charging and even explode. Such a battery fire is very dangerous.
Insurers have therefore long advised storing batteries of bicycles or tools safely. But what is safe? This will soon become clear as the European certification authority for safes ECB-S will soon publish the European rules for safe battery safes.
Unsafe battery cabinets
Unfortunately, there are still battery cabinets offered in the market that claim to be safe, but in practice turn out to be inadequate. These are EN 14470-1 chemical cabinets used for storing paints and solvents. These are designed to protect the contents from fire from OUTSIDE the cabinet. But in a battery fire, the fire actually starts inside IN the cabinet. When lithium-ion batteries catch fire in such a cabinet, the flames literally come out of the cabinet on all sides!
European guidelines for Manufacturers of Lithium-ion Safes
Fortunately, European regulations are now in the works that describe how manufacturers can produce a good, secure lithium-ion safe. In recent times, representatives from European testing laboratories, certification authorities, insurers, and industry associations have been sitting together in a working group to discuss this.
During this process, the renowned testing institute MPA in Dresden actually tested battery enclosures. The Batteryguard safe has also been tested and approved: the doors remained closed despite the intense battery fire and explosions inside the safe! With this, Batteryguard is the first tested battery safe.
What is the difference between PGS 37-2 and the new European guidelines from ECB-S?
PGS is a Dutch organization, while ECB-S is a European entity. During the development of these European regulations, battery enclosures were actually tested, and these findings were taken into account to develop a standard. PGS does not test enclosures but describes risks and possible consequences. If you want to know more about regulations regarding the storage of lithium-ion batteries, continue reading in our article onRegulations.
Curious about all the possibilities?
Our safes specialists will be happy to advise you on our Batteryguard battery cabinets.
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