Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What You Need to Know About the Rising Risk

Lithium-ion battery fires have risen significantly in the UK in the last two years. These types of fires burn differently to most conventional as they involve a self-sustaining chemical reaction which can lead to rapid and intense fires that are often difficult to extinguish.

Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Pose a Fire Risk

Lithium-ion batteries are used extensively in portable electronic devices and play a vital role in many business operations. However, when a li-ion battery malfunctions, it presents a serious fire hazard. These batteries store large amounts of energy and are highly sensitive to:

• High temperatures
• Overcharging
• Crushing or physical damage
• Excessive moisture

If a battery overheats, degrades, or suffers significant impact, pressure builds up internally. This can trigger an uncontrollable chemical reaction leading to rapid overheating.

As temperatures rise, the battery may vent toxic and flammable gases such as hydrogen fluoride and methane. These gases can ignite or cause the battery to explode, resulting in fires that burn at extremely high temperatures.

The Importance of Proper Risk Assessment and Training

Every business must ensure it has a robust, suitable, and sufficient risk assessment that specifically addresses the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries. Employee training is essential to help staff understand how lithium-ion battery fires differ from traditional fires and why standard fire extinguishers are ineffective in these scenarios.

Why Traditional Fire Extinguishers Are Ineffective

Common workplace fire extinguishers offer limited suppression for lithium-ion battery fires:

• Water extinguishers cool the fire but cannot form the thermal barrier needed to prevent re-ignition.
• Foam extinguishers create a smothering film, but this film will not survive the high temperatures
• CO₂ extinguishers displace oxygen temporarily but do not reduce the battery’s temperature.
• Dry powder extinguishers suppress flames but provide insufficient cooling

Effective Solutions for Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Suppression

To extinguish or contain a lithium-ion battery fire, it is essential to disrupt the underlying chemical reaction. Lith-ex fire extinguishers are specifically designed for this purpose. They contain vermiculite, a unique material that:

• Creates a thermal barrier to prevent fire spread
• Encapsulates the fuel source (creating the firebreak)
• Uses its water content to cool the battery effectively

Other recommended safety solutions include:

• Lithium-ion battery fire blankets – ideal for equipment such as e-bikes and e-scooters to reduce toxic fume spread
• Suppression bags – used to safely store extinguished devices, such as laptops or mobile phones, to minimise post-fire explosion risk

Safe Evacuation Practices

Lith-ex extinguishers, fire blankets, and suppression bags should be considered first-response safety tools. They are designed to assist in safe evacuation—not to fully extinguish a fire—especially when an exit route is at risk of being compromised.

For more information or to discuss your businesses needs, contact us!