Almost every kind of business will use lithium-ion batteries in one way or another. They can be in key equipment like laptops, power tools, medical devices, radios, and mobility devices. At the same time, you likely have employees with their own equipment too. While they are convenient, there are massive potential risks with rechargeable batteries. Businesses need to evolve if they want to meet safety standards. We want to have a closer look here, then if you want to arrange fire risk assessments in Stokesley or other parts of the region, you can rely on us.
Updating FRAs
The most important thing businesses need to do is ensure they account for the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in fire risk assessments. It’s critical to assess where people are using them, the conditions, recharging practices, battery storage, and the hazards.
Remember, lithium-ion batteries can be classified as high risk. If there is a fault with a battery, it can lead to a fire that is incredibly difficult to get under control. Because the failure of a cell generates flammable gases, the fires are self supporting. Worse, they cause thermal runaway, generating more heat to create a repeating cycle that releases more energy and gets hotter. This leads to rapid propagation in other cells.
Key things to think about
Businesses can do a number of key things to reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. We’re happy to help if you need some assistance. You can rely on us for fire risk assessments in Stokesley, services for fire extinguishers, fire door checks, and alarm systems.
One of the most important things to do is to look closely at where in properties batteries are charging. You should designate safe locations where there is a lower chance of fires. For example, look at flammable materials nearby that could fuel a blaze. Plus, make sure the area is properly ventilated. Finally, always designate people to monitor the area. One of the biggest no-nos with rechargeable batteries is to plug them in to charge and leave them unattended for hours, especially overnight. It can cause overcharging and damage the cells, leading to a fire.
Another key factor is to ensure you are storing lithium-ion batteries properly. It’s convenient to have a freshly charged battery ready to use when you need it. However, they shouldn’t just be sitting around in the open in case there is a fault. The best practice is to store them in fire cabinets or fire resistant containers. Keep them organised and monitored.
It may also be necessary to adapt your fire training programmes. The goal should be to ensure that employees know the dangers of lithium-ion batteries and how to use them safely. Notably, make sure they know safe charging practices, signs that could indicate there is a fault, and how to respond. A proper response and evacuation plan is key to reducing the chance of loss of life if there is a fire.
Get in touch to arrange fire risk assessments in Stokesley
Every business has a responsibility to meet fire safety regulations and protect employees. It’s important to avoid complacency. The best practice is to ensure you evolve, especially if there are key changes in the equipment you use or the property itself. Being proactive with FRAs, inspections, and training can prevent fires and save lives.
ABC Fire Safety & Security is happy to help if you need a competent professional to assess your property. We work with businesses in a variety of industries, including low and high risk premises. We’ll report issues and give suggestions on how to make positive changes.
So, get in touch and arrange fire risk assessments in Stokesley or other local areas with us. We’re happy to answer questions too.
