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2. What barriers are in place to manage those risks?

The discussion on process safety risks associated with the consumer range batteries points to the
importance of protecting batteries from damage, limiting the quantity of batteries in a single
location, and separating battery storage from adjacent exposures. Application of this
approach applied to an industrial facility may include minimizing quantity of batteries stored in a
single location (e.g. tool cribs, computer storage) and providing separation between stored
quantities. Battery storage should be located in a structure designed to protect the batteries from
physical harm and environmental extremes and to prevent escalation through fire-resistant
separations (e.g. to the entire warehouse) should a battery failure occur. This is the approach
described in a number of guidance documents and regulations governing the shipping,
packaging, labeling, and storage of Li-ion batteries.

At this time mitigative measures, including fire detection and fire suppression, is an evolving
topic and emerging technologies may address current firefighting challenges. Li-ion fires burn
very hot (i.e. as compared to a wood fire) and consequently take a long time to cool down.
Reignition is a common phenomenon. Fire protection and firefighting organizations are working
to inform firefighters of Li-ion fire characteristics and firefighting techniques. As new fire
detection, suppression, and responses are being developed and used, the industry is learning
which approaches are most effective and documenting these in regulations, codes and standards.
Stay up-to-date and use current guidance on fire detection, suppression, and response.

Appropriate equipment selection is of importance even before barriers are applied.
Recalling the failure rate bathtub curve and the hazards of misuse, physical damage, and
environmental impacts on batteries, it is important to understand the quality of the battery
especially if it has been previously used. This data is not easily available, hence the importance of
following the manufacturer's guidelines and being aware if purchasing pre-owned batteries. The
European Union is introducing a “battery passport” scheme intended to support sustainability
goals through improving battery safety by tracking each battery throughout its entire lifecycle.
(Battery Associates, 2025) (European Union, 2025)

The following is a selection of current regulations, codes, standards, and guidance. As this is a
new and developing field, further documents will likely be developed, and the reader is
encouraged to seek this new information.

Regulations, Codes, and Standards

• 49 CFR 173.185 Lithium cells and batteries (GovInfo, 2025)
• 2024 International Fire Code (ICC, 2025)
• IEC 62281 Safety of Primary and Secondary Lithium Cells and Batteries During Transport
(IEC, 2025)

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Process Safety and the Energy Transition: Battery Technology
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