Key Takeaways:
With technological innovations and increasing pressure to meet ambitious sustainability targets, the transition to more electrified devices and infrastructure has spurred the rapid development and use of lithium-ion batteries.
This new era brings drastic changes to the commercial battery management landscape. While lithium-ion battery-powered devices and batter energy storage systems (BESS) provide many benefits for modern institutional and commercial facilities, they also introduce new fire risks for facility managers to consider. New York City alone has reported more than 277 fires and six fatalities in 2024 associated with lithium-ion battery use in the built environment. The adoption of modern building and fire codes can help ensure that facilities safely accommodate the increased use of lithium-ion batteries and their associated fire risks.
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries, commonly found in electronics, accessibility devices, electric vehicles and within BESS. There is a misconception that lithium-ion batteries only catch fire due to faulty manufacturing or supply chain issues. However, there are numerous internal and external conditions that can cause thermal runaway to occur, resulting in a fire:
Short circuit: Internal components of the battery are compromised.
Physical damage: Blunt force trauma or punctures to a battery cell.
Overcharging and/or incompatible charging connection: Causes excessive heat within the battery.
Exposure to extreme temperatures: Excess cold or heat can impact battery performance.
If one of these conditions cause a failure to occur, multiple battery cells within a pack may react, triggering a chain of thermal runaway events producing heat, fire and potentially toxic gas. Cell chemical off-gassing, high temperature and fire ignition can occur with little to no warning when a battery goes into thermal runaway. Each of these adverse conditions can affect a battery in a facility; therefore, facility managers should be cognizant of the many scenarios in which a battery fire can occur, especially as the volume of devices and systems containing lithium-ion batteries is more likely given the increased number of occupants within the building.
Lithium-ion batteries can be found in several parts of a facility, either in the hands of occupants or as part of a facility’s operations. Modern building codes include specific considerations for large facilities:
BESS power supply — The installation and use of BESS have increased rapidly across the country, with larger buildings adapting to meet increasing electrical demand and backup power capabilities. For owners, operators and facility teams, it is important to stay up to date with the changing requirements and guidance issued by their towns and municipalities for installing this equipment in their facilities. Facility engineers and emergency response staff should also be familiar with the hazardous conditions that may be present during a fire to ensure they respond safely, as complex BESS infrastructure may alter approaches to emergency response, mitigation, and management.
Electric vehicle charging — As the utilization of electric vehicles increases, the demand for vehicle battery charging stations has also increased. To account for the changing landscape, code provisions are continually evolving to ensure that charging station installations and retrofits are safe. When approaching projects such as EV charging station retrofits in existing parking structures, ensuring that the building can structurally support the additional weight of electric vehicles and that the charging station designs and ventilation systems are code-compliant can help minimize the potential impact of EV fires on the structure. Code compliance can also help to ensure that the stations are efficient and suited to accommodate EVs while also reinforcing resilience.
Personal use of battery-powered devices and equipment — The personal devices of building occupants, such as motorized wheelchairs, e-bikes or laptop computers, offer unique challenges for institutional and commercial buildings. Educating both building staff and occupants on the causes of lithium-ion battery fires is critical to preventing and mitigating fire risk and damage. Another component to consider as the battery market expands is ensuring that devices with lithium-ion batteries are used and charged as intended. Helping building maintenance teams stay informed about proper charging, storage and disposal of battery-powered mobility devices and electronics can help mitigate potential battery fire risks. This includes ensuring that occupants use manufacturer-provided batteries, chargers, and equipment which are listed and designed for the specific personal device. For the charging of larger devices such as e-wheelchairs, e-bikes or e-scooters, maintaining a clear means of egress is also an important consideration. Ensuring these devices are not charged within an exit path or near exit doors will help provide clear evacuation routes if occupants need to leave quickly.
Extreme weather and natural hazards — Natural hazard risks, such as floods, storms or wildfires, may also present potential challenges to facilities that use or store BESS or lithium-ion battery-powered equipment. For example, batteries exposed to outdoor elements such as water or extreme heat could cause internal and external damage, leading to subsequent failure. Facilities should consider these factors as a part of installation and planning and be prepared to approach BESS and lithium-ion battery-powered equipment with caution in the event of a natural disaster affecting the building.
Staying informed about best practices for handling batteries and following modern building codes can help in safe mitigation, response and recovery in the event of a lithium-ion battery fire. In acknowledgement of these battery challenges in the built environment, a Chapter 43 Battery Provisions of the Forthcoming 2027 International Fire Code guide is now available on the International Code Council website which provides code officials, designers, and first responders with the most currently approved, research-based regulatory framework for the storage, use, charging, and recycling of lithium-ion batteries that could be locally adopted, referenced, and applied today.
Electrification and lithium-ion battery-powered devices and equipment will continue to become more prevalent in modern facilities. It is critical for facility teams to not only be aware of the increased presence of lithium-ion batteries within their buildings but also be proactive to ensure that potential fire risks are reduced and protective measures and systems are in place to safeguard occupants. Facility teams should consider utilizing modern building codes, as well as other essential battery safety provisions, to help protect their occupants and the facility from the risks of lithium-ion batteries.
Christine Reed, senior program manager, Fire and Disaster Mitigation at International Code Council, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service, topping her career as battalion chief-fire marshal. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science Management and numerous state certifications in fire prevention and fire investigation. Christine has been deeply involved in all facets of code development and enforcement and uses her knowledge and experience to assist in increasing community safety from national fire risks.
