Fire Prevention: Protecting Your Facility from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

As lithium-ion battery usage becomes more widespread, property managers and facility operators are facing a fire safety threat that barely existed a decade ago: lithium-ion battery fires.

While fire prevention efforts have traditionally focused on smoke alarms and escape plans, today’s commercial facilities face a rapidly evolving risk. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission documented more than 25,000 incidents of fire or overheating involving lithium-ion batteries over a recent five-year period, and these incidents increasingly affect businesses, multi-family properties, and institutional facilities.

Understanding the Threat to Your Facility

Lithium-ion batteries are now embedded throughout commercial operations. They power backup systems and emergency lighting in buildings, electric forklifts and pallet jacks in warehouses, charging stations in multi-family properties, medical equipment in healthcare facilities, and employee devices throughout restaurants, hospitality venues, and educational institutions.

What makes these fires particularly dangerous is a phenomenon called thermal runaway. According to UL Research Institutes, thermal runaway occurs when a battery cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state where temperature rises at more than 20 degrees Celsius per minute, reaching over 1,000°F. The chemical reaction is self-sustaining and doesn’t need external oxygen, which means it continues even after visible flames are extinguished. This is why electric vehicle fires have reignited days after the initial incident.

The business impact is significant. New York City reported 277 lithium-ion battery fires in 2024, and Aviva research found that one in five businesses have experienced fires or explosions from these batteries. Standard fire extinguishers often prove inadequate, and the toxic gases produced create additional urgency for evacuation.

Fire Prevention Action Steps for Facility Managers

Now is an ideal time to evaluate your facility’s preparedness for this growing threat.

Establish Charging and Storage Protocols

If your facility provides device charging for employees, tenants, or visitors, designate specific charging areas away from sleeping quarters and high-traffic zones. These areas need adequate ventilation and smoke detection. For restaurants and hospitality properties, create staff-only charging zones away from guest areas. Prohibit overnight charging of unattended devices in occupied spaces.

For facilities using electric material handling equipment, store batteries in cool, dry locations between 40-80°F with proper ventilation. Keep them away from flammable materials and emergency exits. Industrial and logistics operations should ensure electric forklift charging areas meet current fire codes and have adequate separation from other operations.

Train Staff on Warning Signs

Your facility team should know how to identify problems before they become fires. Battery swelling or bulging requires immediate removal—this is the most critical warning sign. Excessive heat during charging or operation, unusual chemical or burning odors, and hissing or crackling sounds all signal trouble. Visible damage to battery casings or rapid performance degradation should trigger your removal protocols.

Update Emergency Response Procedures

Your emergency action plan needs specific protocols for battery fires. These fires require immediate evacuation of affected areas due to toxic smoke, and 911 calls should specifically mention lithium-ion battery involvement to ensure responders bring appropriate equipment. Staff should close doors to contain smoke and never re-enter, as these fires can reignite without warning.

Standard ABC fire extinguishers have limited effectiveness because the chemical reaction inside the battery continues generating heat even after visible flames are suppressed. This is why many facilities are adding specialized suppression systems designed specifically for lithium-ion battery fires.

Professional Fire Protection Solutions

Forward-thinking facility managers are moving beyond basic fire extinguishers to implement protection systems designed for lithium-ion battery risks.

When Your Facility Needs Assessment

Professional assessment becomes essential when you operate multi-family housing with EV charging infrastructure, use electric material handling equipment in warehouses, manage healthcare facilities with extensive backup power systems, or oversee educational institutions with widespread device charging. Power and energy facilities with battery storage systems face particularly high exposure.

If your fire safety protocols haven’t been updated in the past three years, they likely don’t adequately address lithium-ion battery risks.

Specialized Protection Systems

Modern solutions include specialized fire extinguishers using advanced agents that cool batteries below the thermal runaway threshold and prevent reignition. Automated suppression systems provide 24/7 protection for facilities with significant battery storage or charging operations. Containment and isolation equipment prevent fire spread in critical areas.

The right solution depends on your facility type, battery exposure level, and operational requirements. Our team specializes in assessing fire safety needs and implementing protection systems tailored to your specific environment, from retail and grocery to special risk facilities.

Staying Compliant

Many jurisdictions are updating fire codes to address lithium-ion battery safety. Depending on your facility type and location, you may need to comply with NFPA 855 standards for energy storage systems, local fire marshal requirements, and building codes for EV charging infrastructure. Insurance carriers are also imposing new risk mitigation standards. Professional assessment ensures compliance while protecting your operations from costly incidents.

Taking Action to Strengthen Fire Prevention

There has never been a better time to strengthen your facility’s defenses against this emerging threat. Start by conducting a thorough audit of lithium-ion battery exposure throughout your property. Evaluate your current inspection and maintenance protocols and emergency response procedures. Consider whether your fire protection equipment matches the risks you face.

Most importantly, educate your team. Staff training on recognizing warning signs and responding appropriately can prevent incidents before they occur. Share information with tenants and building occupants about safe charging practices and what to do if they notice problems.

The surge in lithium-ion battery fires isn’t going away—the technology is too embedded in modern operations. But with proper precautions, specialized protection systems, and informed facility management, you can dramatically reduce the risks to your property and the people who work and live there.