Lithium-ion battery fires are a serious growing concern for organisations across the UK, particularly landlords and housing providers. According to research by QBE, lithium-ion battery-caused fires requiring a firefighter response have risen 93% over two years, reaching 1,330 cases, with London identified as the epicentre of the crisis. E-bikes were the leading cause of blazes (362), with electric cars (232) and e-scooters (156) also among the major contributors.
As the frequency and severity of these incidents continues to rise, it is essential that building owners, landlords, and residents understand the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, how to prevent fires from occurring, and what mitigation measures must be in place should a fire break out.
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Lithium-ion batteries power almost every device in circulation today, from mobile phones and e-scooters to e-bikes and portable fans. One of their most widespread uses right now is in e-cigarettes and vapes, meaning many people carry them in their pockets or handbags at all times. They do a great job of powering mobile devices, but given the dangers associated with them, it is important organisations understand the risks.
The key risk is that lithium-ion batteries are self-sustaining when it comes to fire. Referring to the fire triangle, a lithium-ion battery is capable of supplying all three elements, heat, fuel, and oxygen, independently.
If a battery sustains damage through impact, piercing, or prolonged exposure to excessive heat, it can enter a state known as thermal runaway. At this point, the device itself is lost, and anything in its proximity is at risk, whether from an explosive reaction or from the heat generated igniting surrounding materials. The battery’s own components supply the oxygen that sustains the process.
Cheaper, unregulated batteries present more of a risk, as they frequently lack the safety features that shut the device down when dangerous temperatures are detected. Devices such as vapes and e-cigarettes are of particular concern given that they are often carried in pockets. There are well-documented cases of devices igniting or exploding in pockets, handbags, and on surfaces.
The risks are also significant with larger items, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, where devices are charged incorrectly or stored in communal areas of residential buildings. It is important that communal areas are kept entirely clear of such devices, as they form part of a building's passive fire protection strategy and any obstruction to escape routes presents a serious hazard. At the scale of electric vehicles, very few effective measures currently exist to extinguish these fires once started, as demonstrated by the well-publicised Luton Airport car park fire.
For further insights into maintaining a robust passive fire protection strategy, including fire compartmentation and fire stopping, catch up on our recent webinar, 'Passive Fire Protection: Legislation, compartmentation, and fire doors', which is available on demand now.
Thermal runaway can be triggered by several factors, such as physical damage to the battery, overcharging through non-CE tested charging equipment that does not automatically cut off at full charge, and exposure to heat. Once initiated, the reaction is rapid and extreme; temperatures can reach hundreds of degrees within minutes, toxic smoke is produced almost immediately, and these fires can reignite spontaneously even after appearing to have been suppressed.
The wider consequences should also be noted. In London, for example, e-cigarettes and vape pens being disposed of in general waste have caused explosions in refuse vehicles when the compactor mechanism crushes them, in some cases destroying the vehicles entirely and removing them from service.
A number of guidance documents are available. For electric vehicles in car parks, published guidance covers bay positioning, location of spaces, and ensuring adequate access for the Fire and Rescue Service. For residential settings, the NFCC has published specific guidance on mobility scooters, addressing storage, charging protocols, and the temperature escalation that can occur within minutes of thermal runaway beginning.
In terms of building standards, BS 9792 has been updated with sections reflecting EV charging in residential buildings. It is worth noting, however, that a standard Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) will not constitute a fully conclusive review of EV charging infrastructure. A dedicated assessment covering installation quality, equipment specification, and ongoing maintenance arrangements is strongly recommended.
Looking for further insights into your FRA requirements? Download your free Guide to Safe and Compliant Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) to find out everything you need to know.
The wider challenge is that guidance is still developing in line with the technology. Existing infrastructure, including car parks, housing blocks, and waste management facilities, was not designed with these risks in mind, and retrospective solutions will increasingly be required.
The use of lithium-ion batteries in power tools is increasingly prevalent, with many tradespeople managing dozens of batteries at any one time, charging some while using others, and storing them in vehicles or on-site. The fundamentals of safe management is a clear organisational policy covering how lithium-ion batteries are handled within the building. This should address how many batteries are present, how regularly they are inspected for damage, how and where they are stored to minimise the risk of impact, and how charging is supervised, ensuring batteries are not left unattended or charging overnight without monitoring.
Charging equipment is also a critical consideration. Original equipment manufacturer chargers should be used wherever possible, and any third-party alternatives must be verified as properly tested and approved. Policy establishes the framework; consistent application and ongoing maintenance make it effective.
Where the risk cannot be eliminated entirely, the focus must shift to mitigation. It is important to consider the following factors:
Location: Devices should never be stored on or adjacent to escape routes. Where possible, they should be positioned as far from the exit as the property allows, ensuring residents can still evacuate safely.
Enclosure: Where feasible, storing the device behind a fire door or separating wall reduces the risk of fire spreading to the escape route.
Detection: Enhanced detection within the property provides the earliest possible warning. Installing detectors beyond the standard kitchen and hallway locations, ideally in every room, maximises available evacuation time.
Suppression: A fire suppression system, where practical, can help control a fire and extend the timeframe for safe evacuation.
Housekeeping: Devices should be stored well clear of other combustible materials. The greater the surrounding fire load, the more rapidly a fire will develop.
Effective management involves several components. Landlords and housing associations should have a clear policy in place regarding the storage and charging of these devices, alongside a programme of resident engagement to ensure occupants understand the associated risks and their responsibilities.
In practical terms, routine building inspections are the most reliable means of identification. A site team conducting weekly checks is significantly more likely to identify a device stored in a communal area at an early stage. Where inspections are monthly, quarterly, or less frequent, non-compliant storage may go undetected for a considerable period. The frequency of checks directly impacts how quickly risks are identified and addressed.
The insurance implications can be substantial. Some policies require that devices of this nature are declared; others may exclude cover entirely based on prior claims experience. Where a device is not declared in accordance with policy requirements, there is a risk that cover is rendered void, leaving a landlord exposed in the event of significant property damage. This has financial consequences not only for the landlord but potentially for tenants as well.
PCFRAs are an important tool in managing the risks associated with lithium-ion devices in residential settings. Where an individual resident is storing an e-bike or scooter within their flat, the specific risk this presents may not be fully captured within the building's overarching FRA. A PCFRA allows the individual risk to be formally identified and appropriately addressed.
With new RPEEP (Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) and evacuation statement requirements coming in April, the PCFRA provides a broader assessment of fire risk specific to the individual, extending beyond evacuation capability to general fire safety considerations. Where a PCFRA identifies the storage of a high-risk device, targeted mitigations such as enhanced detection can be implemented. This is particularly important where additional risk factors are present, such as hoarding, where a more interventionist approach is likely to be necessary.
It should be noted that a fire risk assessor will not access every flat within a building. Resident engagement and robust communication channels are therefore essential to ensure that individual risks of this nature are identified and properly managed.
Looking for support creating PCFRAs or complying with the new Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (RPEEP) requirements? Get in touch with our team of fire safety experts who can guide you through the process.