This data comes from surveys of over 500 Organisations during webinars held by IFSEC Insider and Firechief Global
Mere 15% of Organisations have conducted a workplace fire risk assessment specifically considering devices with lithium-ion batteries, according to recent research. This data comes from surveys of over 500 Organisations during webinars held by IFSEC Insider and Firechief Global. The findings reveal that while 15% have updated their fire risk assessments to address the risks of lithium-ion battery fires, a significant 71% have not, with an additional 14% unsure.
Lithium-ion batteries have become integral to our daily lives, present in devices at home and in the workplace, including portable gadgets, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems. Despite their advantages, the safety of these batteries depends on factors such as manufacturing, usage, storage, and recycling practices.
“A typical workplace is likely to have many devices containing Lithium-ion batteries” said Laurie Pollard, Managing Director of Firechief Global. “There will be mobile phones, laptops, e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric vehicles being used, stored, and charged on site and that’s before considering other equipment such as forklift trucks, power tools, and energy storage systems etc, so it makes sense to assess the fire risk these could pose should the worst happen, and then have an action plan in place to mitigate those risks”.
“Clearly organisations will have many types of different risks given that there’s a huge variety of different lithium battery applications and integrations. Some lithium-ion battery risks are mobile, some are built into portal machinery, others are static.
“Sometimes it might be the handling of lithium-ion batteries that’s a risk. The batteries may be damaged, they may not; they may be brand new; they may be low in charge, they may potentially be highly charged. So, a strategy must be developed and created for the specific risk that is present” Pollard asserted.