Lithium Iron Phosphate ( (LiFePO4 or LFP)) batteries are incombustible, meaning they will not burn when exposed to fire or when mishandled during rapid charges and discharges or when there are shor.
Why do lithium-ion batteries catch fire? Lithium-ion battery cells combine a flammable electrolyte with significant stored energy, and if a lithium-ion battery cell creates more heat than it can effectively disperse, it can lead to a rapid uncontrolled release of heat energy, known as 'thermal runaway', that can result in a fire or explosion.
While there are standards for the overall performance and safety of Lithium-ion batteries, there are as yet no UK standards specifically for their fire safety performance. IEC 62133 sets out requirements and tests for the safety and performance of Lithium-ion batteries in portable electronic devices, including cell phones, laptops and tablets.
Currently, there are very limited methods of safely tackling a fire involving a lithium-ion battery because they burn at extreme temperatures. Even a small one can create “thermal runaway” where one cell ignites the next one in an unstoppable chain.
Why are lithium-ion battery fires difficult to quell?
Due to the self-sustaining process of thermal runaway, Lithium-ion battery fires are also difficult to quell. Bigger batteries such as those used in electric vehicles may reignite hours or even days after the event, even after being cooled. Source: Firechief® Global
Does your fire risk assessment cover lithium-ion battery fires?
A survey of more than 500 organisations carried out between September 2023 and February 2024 revealed that 71 per cent of respondents had not updated their fire risk assessments to cover the risk of Lithium-ion battery fires, with just 15 per cent having done so and a further 14 per cent unsure.
With their growing prominence, lithium-ion batteries also carry a fire safety risk that needs to be considered. It is worth noting that the frequency of fire from lithium-ion batteries is actually very low, but the consequences can be significant.