Guides from asecos address growing lithium-ion battery fire risks

Lithium-ion batteries are used across an increasing range of sectors and equipment. The risks and practical challenges can vary significantly between industries. With UK Fire and Rescue Services now tackling an average of 4.8 lithium battery fires every day, according to business insurer QBE, the guides help organisations to assess risk, consider operating procedures and meet their compliance requirements.

Guides are available for numerous sectors including aviation, construction, Data Centres, defence, facilities, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, the marine environment, policing, transport (railways) and education (universities).

The guides have been developed following strong interest in asecos’ healthcare and defence sector-focused guidance, with organisations increasingly looking for advice that reflects the particular risks they encounter.

Appropriate procedures

Les Day, commercial director at asecos, informed Fire Safety Matters: “Lithium batteries are part of everyday operations across an enormous range of industries, but the way in which they’re used – and the consequences if something goes wrong – can be very different.”

Day continued: “Fires from lithium-ion batteries can develop extremely quickly, release toxic gases and, potentially, lead to explosions. That makes appropriate charging, storage and operating procedures absolutely vital.”

Practical information

Further, Day observed: “The popularity of our initial lithium battery guides for the healthcare and defence sectors showed us that practitioners want practical information that relates directly to their own working environment rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’-style approach. As such, we’ve expanded the series so that more organisations can access guidance tailored to the equipment, situations and operational challenges they typically encounter.”

Each guide is designed to help those responsible for fire and Health and Safety in considering their lithium battery risks and putting sensible measures in place to protect people, property and continuity of operations.”

*Download the new guidance documents by visiting the asecos website