Safe storage of batteries: urgent need for PGS 37 regulations

The storage of e-bike batteries raises many questions for entrepreneurs in various sectors. How do you store these lithium-ion batteries safely and responsibly? Where can you find a reliable storage system? Rules have been in the making for some time, to be included in the PGS 37 guidelines, but what do they actually mean? And what can you as a company already do to ensure safety? In this blog, we answer all your questions about the PGS 37 guidelines.

What do the PGS 37 guidelines mean?

PGS, or Hazardous Substances Publication Series, describes the risks around fire safety and the measures you can take as a company for this. For lithium-ion batteries, PGS 37 is important, the guideline for the safe storage of lithium-containing energy carriers such as the batteries of e-bikes, scooters and tools.

PGS 37-1 and PGS 37-2: what’s the difference?

PGS 37-1 deals with the storage of Energy Storage Systems (EOS), such as community batteries, and PGS 37-2 deals with the storage of lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes, scooters, choppers and tools. These guidelines are complicated and therefore not yet finalised. Until PGS 37 is finalised, the current PGS 15 guidelines remain in force. These refer to the European EN 14470-1 standard for the storage of highly flammable substances and chemicals.

Why current guidelines are inadequate

Current standards are outdated and designed to protect chemicals from fires starting outside the cabinet. Lithium-ion battery fires occur precisely inside the cabinet. So the cabinet must provide protection from inside to outside. Battery fires are extremely bright and batteries can explode in the process. A cabinet that has to withstand a battery fire must therefore meet very different requirements from a chemical cabinet.

What happens in the event of a battery fire in a PGS 37 cabinet?

If a battery ignites in a PGS 37 cabinet, the doors may open due to the explosion and the fire may spread to your premises. Many chemical cabinets are sold as safe lithium-ion cabinets, but offer false safety!

Why Batteryguard battery cabinets are safe

Batteryguard battery cabinets are based on a safe construction with sturdy hardware. They have been tested with an exploding battery in the safe, and the safe doors remained closed in the process!

Batteryguard is a brand of Nauta Security, a safes manufacturer with more than 60 years of experience. We sit at the table with insurers the fire brigade and industry associations and are at the forefront of the European lithium-ion working group.