Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures (CROSS) has released a new topic paper regarding lithium-ion batteries in the built environment
The lithium fire safety paper explores the risks of fire and explosion from lithium-ion batteries, specifically thermal runaway.
Lithium fires are difficult to put out
Thermal runaway incidents are self-sustaining reactions that can cause fires on larger scales, or even explosions.
They can be triggered by overcharging, short-circuits, and overheating, and can produce toxic and/or flammable vapours which can be ignited with residual heat. These vapours can also react with common extinguishing agents.
The paper states that it is important for stakeholders, property developers, building control bodies, local authorities, and others involved in property construction to be familiar with these risks.
The risk is small but significant
Using publicly available research, the paper has found several recommended measures to prevent lithium fire safety hazards, including:
- Battery Management Systems – technologies that regulate voltage, temperature, and charge levels to combat overheating
- Fire detection and suppression systems – This can identify hazards early and intervene with specialised suppression systems that will not react with any fumes generated
- Safer storage and disposal – Proper disposal and storage of batteries, avoiding stacking, crushing, or exposing batteries to flammable materials
- Ventilation and fire barriers – Will prevent fumes and gases from building in enclosed areas, further reducing fire spread
- Regular maintenance and inspection – will identify early warning signs of damage, degradation, overheating, etc. in batteries
- Emergency preparedness – A proper plan of response for facility managers, facility managers, and others involved in emergency procedures will limit damage to human life as well as the building in case of emergency
The paper states: “Lithium-ion batteries, while essential to modern technology, present significant fire hazards due to thermal runaway. This self-sustaining reaction, which can lead to large scale fires or explosions, is challenging to control due to the production of flammable and toxic vapours, potential reignition, and violent reactions with common extinguishing agents.
“However, these risks can be managed by implementing safety measures such as the use of a battery management system (BMS), installation of fire detection and suppression systems, safe storage and disposal practices, adequate ventilation, regular inspection and maintenance, and proper emergency procedures.
“Through a comprehensive understanding of these hazards and the implementation of appropriate safety measures, it is possible to significantly reduce the likelihood and impact of such fires.
“It is critically important that those with responsibilities for designing, constructing and managing aspects of the built environment, keep their knowledge of this evolving technology up to date.”
Late last year, the British Standards Institution updated their fire safety standards, with new information related to evacuation lifts, sprinkler systems, and single-stair building height limits.
