By Barry Curneal, Senior Director of Construction Sales
As the National Fire Protection Association is raising awareness for the safe use of devices with lithium-ion batteries for Fire Prevention Month, it’s important to be aware of the risks they can pose if used incorrectly.
These risks are not contained to consumer products. In recent years, power tools with lithium-ion batteries have become ubiquitous on job sites across the country.
In May 2024, a fire on the 66th floor of a New York high rise under construction was attributed to lithium-ion batteries from power tools in storage on-site. FDNY was able to contain the blaze, but the incident illustrates the risk these devices can pose on active sites.
Thermal Runaway
When safe-use guidelines are not followed, batteries can fail and cause significant damage and delays on construction sites. When lithium-ion batteries fail from causes like physical abuse and overcharging, they can enter into a self-sustaining reaction called thermal runaway.
When the cells in lithium-ion batteries burn, the resulting reaction creates all the heat and fuel a fire needs to continue burning, even when suppression measures are applied. The fire can then spread to adjacent cells creating a dangerous situation that is very difficult to contain.
Since the battery fires can produce their own fuel, there is also significant risk for reignition after a fire has been contained.
These risks are exacerbated on job sites where traditional fire protection measures have not yet been installed.
Job Site Risks
The NFPA noted that with their increased use on job sites, additional safety protocols should be put in place to keep workers safe and production moving.
In their blog, the NFPA said that job sites also represent an increased risk to battery failure from the causes listed above with different teams each using their own tools.
Those tools could be left unattended, or on chargers overnight, and without the fire protection systems found in completed buildings, fires can go undetected.
NFPA 241 covers worksite safety measures and should be consulted on jobs that will include large contractor teams and rechargeable power tools. They also recommend additional strategies to mitigate risk like storing batteries and chargers in low-traffic areas, and if possible, in fire-rated cabinets.
Devices should also never be charged overnight, and the installation of temporary fire detection and suppression measures can save lives in the event of a fire.
Finally, in accordance with NFPA 241, job sites should appoint an individual to conduct fire prevention oversight, including mapping battery storage, coordinating with authorities and monitoring for fires.
Tech Electronics has worked with contractors and end users to design, install and service fire alarm systems since 1963 and has extensive experience in the construction process on jobs throughout the Midwest.
For more information on how Tech can help with your project, and how to keep your job site safe from delays and the risks posed by the misuse of lithium-ion batteries, contact us to schedule a consultation.
