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NFRS 2025 7 - Lithium-ion battery warehouse fires

You asked for

  1. How many warehouse fires have you attended in the last 5 years, brokendown by incidents per year that were caused or may have been caused by a lithium-ion battery?
  2. When conducting fire risk assessments for warehouse storing large quantities of large lithium batteries, what control measures do you recommend ensuring safe storage and reduce the risk of fires spreading?

Our Response

  1. How many warehouse fires have you attended in the last 5 years, brokendown by incidents per year that were caused or may have been caused by a lithium-ion battery?
    Answer: - 5 in total
    • 2024 = 1
    • 2023 = 3
    • 2022 = 0
    • 2021 = 0
    • 2020 = 1

    Be advised that our incident reporting system does not specifically record the building type and we need to use free text searches. Some make reference to being a 'warehouse' but others are 'recycling plants' or 'industrial outbuildings' so we are unable to accurately retrieve the exact number.

  2. When conducting fire risk assessments for warehouse storing large quantities of large lithium batteries, what control measures do yourecommend ensuring safe storage and reduce the risk of fires spreading?
    Answer: - Fire and Rescue Services do not conduct Fire Risk Assessments,businesses need to find a suitably qualified specialist to conduct the assessment.We will inspect premises to ensure that those assessments have been completed and reviewed regularly in line with legislation.

    There is no specific regulations or legislation for the general storage of lithium-ionbatteries within the UK currently. Large-scale storage of lithium batteries in awarehouse can present unique fire risks, primarily due to thermal runaway and the potential for rapid fire spread and must be managed appropriately.

    Things that can be consider are

    • Segregation and layout of battery storage (designated areas away from combustible materials)
    • Ventilation and temperature controls
    • Appropriate fire detection and suppression
    • Appropriate staff training
    • Regular review of emergency plans

    The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does provide some guidance on the electric storage battery safety Using electric storage batteries safely INDG139