Essex lithium-ion battery fire safety: How to prepare your Essex business for the increasing risks of lithium-ion battery fires in 2025 — essential strategies for compliance and protection

Essex lithium-ion battery fire safety is the priority of this guide and in the next pages you will learn practical steps to assess risk, update procedures, and reduce the chance of a damaging battery fire at your premises. This article explains why the risk to businesses in Essex has risen, clarifies your legal duties, and sets out an action plan you can implement immediately to protect people, property and business continuity.

Recent national and local data show a clear rise in battery-related incidents, especially from e-bikes, waste collections and increasing battery energy storage systems. These trends mean Responsible Persons must respond proactively rather than waiting for an incident or enforcement visit. nfcc.org.uk, gov.uk

Why Essex businesses must prioritise Essex lithium-ion battery fire safety right now

Lithium-ion batteries are found in more devices than ever: e-bikes, cordless tools, delivery scooters, laptops, electric vehicle chargers, and business-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS). When they fail they can enter thermal runaway, producing intense heat, toxic gases and rapid fire spread. For businesses this can mean severe property damage, long operational disruption and potential loss of life.

Local concern has grown. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has emphasised that many commercial premises lack up-to-date, suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments, making them vulnerable to new hazards like lithium-ion batteries. Responsible Persons should take that warning seriously.

Read more: essex-fire.gov.uk

Understand the legal and standards framework for battery storage and charging

Your legal duties do not change because the hazard is new. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, proportionate controls and clear emergency plans. For larger or specialised battery installations, HSE guidance explains duties for designers, installers and operators of BESS, including planning, notification and compliance with workplace health and safety law.

For domestic-style battery installs PAS 63100 and BS/EN standards now provide specific guidance on safe locations, detection and separation. hse.gov.uk, bsigroup.com, gov.uk

Practical step: review your fire risk assessment and ensure it explicitly covers lithium-ion battery hazards, charging activities, and energy storage systems. If you need professional help, consider a specialist assessor. Book a Fire Risk Assessment with Total Safe.

Carry out a focused lithium-ion battery risk assessment

Start by identifying where batteries are stored, charged or used. Include portable device stores, fleet charging areas, bike stores, plant rooms and waste handling areas.

For each location, record battery type and rated capacity; quantity and state of repair; charging methods and chargers used; proximity to escape routes and combustible materials; presence of detection, suppression and ventilation.

Next, evaluate the likelihood and potential impact of a thermal runaway event. Use this to prioritise controls: remove or relocate high-risk items first, then add engineering or administrative measures.

If your premises include a BESS, follow HSE guidance and relevant standards for installation, ventilation, alarm integration and notifying the fire service. Engage competent installers and ensure documentation and testing certificates are in order. hse.gov.uk, gov.uk

Practical on-site controls to reduce risk

You can implement many effective, low-cost controls straight away.

Designate charging zones. Keep charging of e-bikes, scooters and portable batteries out of offices, corridors and escape routes. Use well-ventilated utility spaces instead.

Use manufacturer-approved chargers and batteries only. Reject spare or third-party packs if compatibility is uncertain.

Avoid charging overnight or when premises are unattended; if unavoidable, implement locked, monitored charging cupboards with fire-rated separation.

Segregate battery storage. Store spare batteries in approved containers or metal lockers with ventilation and signage.

Keep batteries away from heat sources and flammable stock. Maintain at recommended storage temperatures.

Provide clear signage on battery hazards and a charging policy for staff and visitors.

These steps mirror advice from national safety campaigns and fire organisations aimed at reducing e-bike and battery fires. For consumer-facing guidance that also applies in part to businesses, see the government’s Buy Safe, Be Safe resources.

Upgrade detection, suppression and containment where needed

Detection and suppression systems must reflect the unique behaviour of lithium-ion fires. For many businesses, improving early detection by adding heat detectors or multi-sensor devices in battery rooms and vehicle stores will provide critical warning. For larger BESS installations, standards and fire-engineered solutions may require bespoke suppression, thermal runaway containment measures and deluge water systems.

Where existing sprinklers cover the area, review whether their design is suitable for a battery scenario; in certain cases battery fires require specialist water-based systems and layout adjustments. Always consult a competent fire engineer or installer before modifying fire suppression systems. hse.gov.uk, bsigroup.com

Operational controls: policies, training and waste management

Policies must make clear what is allowed on site. For instance, prohibit unauthorised modifications to e-bikes or batteries, and require registration of any devices stored in communal areas.

Train staff to recognise early warning signs of battery failure: swelling, unusual heat, hissing sounds, leaks or a burning smell. Stress that personnel must not attempt to extinguish a failing battery pack themselves; evacuation and immediate 999 contact are the safest responses for portable device fires. National guidance from fire services advises evacuation in such cases. nfcc.org.uk

Waste and recycling are common causes of battery fires in refuse vehicles and recycling centres. Ensure your business has a secure process for disposing of defective batteries. Use dedicated WEEE/battery recycling points and do not put lithium batteries into general waste streams. nfcc.org.uk

Insurance, procurement and procurement checks

Review your insurance policy and notify your insurer if you introduce battery storage or provide charging for staff or customers. Some insurers require specific risk controls for BESS or fleet charging points. Also, update procurement rules: require CE/UKCA-marked products, proof of third-party testing, and supplier warranties for any battery or charger purchases.

For e-bikes and scooters, follow government purchasing guidance by sourcing from reputable suppliers and keeping receipts and compliance documentation for each device. This reduces both fire risk and potential liability. gov.uk

Practical example action plan for the next 90 days

Use this checklist to convert plans into action quickly.

Week 1: Map where batteries are stored and charged across all sites; log device types and quantities.

Week 2: Update your fire risk assessment to include battery risks or book a specialist FRA with Total Safe. Arrange a specialist FRA.

Week 3: Implement immediate controls: create charging zones, add storage lockers, and remove batteries from escape routes.

Week 4–6: Train staff and issue a clear battery charging and disposal policy.

Week 7–12: Review detection and suppression adequacy; where needed, commission a fire engineer to propose upgrades and consult with the local fire service.

Ongoing: Monitor devices, enforce procurement rules and schedule annual reviews of risk controls.

If you would like guidance on extinguisher siting and servicing as part of preparedness, Total Safe can advise on appropriate appliances and maintenance regimes. Read Total Safe’s fire extinguisher maintenance guidance.

Work with fire services and specialist contractors

Engage your local fire and rescue service early when you install large battery systems, modify premises or store high quantities of batteries. They can advise on access, signage and operational response. For BESS installations, the HSE recommends notifying and involving regulators and the local fire service during planning and commissioning stages. Use competent, accredited installers who understand BS/EN and PAS requirements. hse.gov.uk, bsigroup.com

When to call in specialist help

If you operate a BESS, run a large fleet of electric vehicles, or store many e-bikes for staff or residents, you must seek specialist fire-engineering advice. Similarly, if you discover untested, counterfeit or damaged batteries on site, quarantine the devices and consult an expert before resuming use.

Third-party testing, thermal imaging surveys and battery management system (BMS) audits can identify hidden risks. In many cases, upgrading from a standard FRA to an engineered solution that includes compartmentation, active suppression and monitoring will be the right course of action. This helps both safety and regulatory compliance.

Summary and next steps

Essex lithium-ion battery fire safety is now an essential part of contemporary fire risk management. Rising incidents, growing battery use and new standards mean businesses must act. Start by updating your fire risk assessment to include battery hazards, implement immediate operational controls, improve detection and separation, and engage specialised contractors where necessary.

If you need support with a targeted assessment, equipment maintenance or staff training, Total Safe can help you meet your legal duties and reduce the chance of a damaging incident. For practical support with extinguisher servicing and routine maintenance that forms part of any effective fire strategy, consult Total Safe’s guidance on maintenance and servicing. Fire extinguisher maintenance advice from Total Safe. For immediate national guidance on buying, charging and disposing of batteries, see government guidance on avoiding e-bike and e-scooter fires. gov.uk

FAQ

Q: What immediate steps should an Essex business take to reduce battery fire risk?

A: Identify where batteries are located, move charging out of escape routes, use manufacturer-approved chargers, store spares in ventilated lockers, and update your fire risk assessment. Consider heat detection in battery stores.

Q: Do I need to notify the fire service about a business battery energy storage system?

A: Yes. For BESS you must follow HSE advice on notification and coordinate with local fire and rescue services during planning and operation. Also ensure compliance with relevant BS/EN and PAS standards. hse.gov.uk, bsigroup.com

Q: Can I use regular fire extinguishers on a lithium-ion battery fire?

A: Portable extinguishers have limited effect on thermal runaway. Evacuation and specialist suppression are often safer. Ensure extinguishers are serviced annually and discuss appropriate systems with a fire engineer. Total Safe can advise on suitable appliances and maintenance. totalsafeuk.com

Q: How should my business dispose of damaged or end-of-life batteries?

A: Do not put lithium-ion batteries in general waste. Use authorised WEEE and battery recycling points. Implement a secure internal disposal route and train staff to isolate and label suspect batteries for collection. National campaigns stress correct recycling to prevent waste fires. nfcc.org.uk, gov.uk

Q: Where can I find authoritative guidance on battery standards and installation?

A: For technical standards and specifications consult BSI publications such as PAS 63100 and relevant BS/EN IEC battery standards, and HSE guidance for BESS installations. These documents set out location, detection and separation requirements. bsigroup.com, hse.gov.uk