From e-scooters to energy storage systems, lithium-ion battery fires are a rapidly emerging threat. We examine the risks and mitigation strategies.. A New Fire Challenge Lithium ion batteries power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. When they fail, they can undergo thermal runaway — a self sustaining, extremely difficult to extinguish fire producing toxic gases. UK Incidents E scooter and e bike fires are now the fastest growing fire risk in London LFB attended over 130 e bike/scooter fires in 2023 Multiple fatalities in UK residential buildings from charging fires Large scale battery energy storage system (BESS) fires internationally The Regulatory Gap Current UK fire safety legislation was not designed for lithium ion battery risks: No specific building regulation guidance for BESS installations E scooters remain illegal on public roads but are widely used No consistent approach to banning charging in escape routes BS 9991 does not specifically address battery storage in residential buildings Mitigation Strategies 1. Ban charging in escape routes — fire risk assessment recommendation 2. Dedicated charging areas — with enhanced detection and suppression 3. Sprinkler protection — water mist or sprinkler systems in charging areas 4. Thermal monitoring — smart charging systems that detect overheating 5. Resident education — awareness campaigns about safe charging practices For battery fire risk assessment and mitigation, contact us.