It’s important to be aware of the other safety hazards either directly linked to or potentially associated with the use, storage and / or handling of lithium-ion batteries: Electrical hazards / safety - high voltage cabling and components capable of delivering a potentially fatal electric shock.
For a fire risk assessment to be considered suitable and sufficient it must consider all significant risks of fire. Where lithium-ion batteries are concerned this should cover handling, storage, use and charging, as appropriate.
Damage to lithium batteries can occur immediately or over a period of time, from physical impact, exposure to certain temperatures, and/or improper charging. Physical impacts that can damage lithium batteries include dropping, crushing, and puncturing.
Specific risk control measures should be determined through site, task and activity risk assessments, with the handling of and work on batteries clearly changing the risk profile. Considerations include: Segregation of charging and any areas where work on or handling of lithium-ion batteries is undertaken.
Ensure lithium batteries, chargers, and associated equipment are tested in accordance with an appropriate test standard (e.g., UL 2054) and, where applicable, certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), and are rated for their intended uses. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for storage, use, charging, and maintenance.
It heavily depends on the multiple parameters, such as the capacity (Wh), the state of charge, the chemistry of the cell, the shape and size of the battery and the type of casing. For this reason it is very important that lithium battery safety systems are tested intensively, much more than other conventional industrial fire protection systems.