Lithium-ion battery risk

Growing demand for greener power will undoubtedly lead to increased volumes being transported in the future, yet there is a perception that the risk posed by such products is relatively small, says TT Club.

“Recently, serious and sometimes catastrophic incidents involving lithium-ion batteries have become more commonplace, with fires reported in all modes of transport – ocean, air and land – as well as in warehouses and where such consignments are at rest,” explained Peregrine Storrs-Fox, TT’s Risk Management Director.

The whitepaper outlines many of the challenges facing the transport industry and raises awareness of the potentially catastrophic situation that can be caused by battery failure. Topics covered include the science behind the batteries, and how dangers can arise such as through insufficient testing or incorrect declaration.

“The dangers can exist no matter the status of the battery – charged, semi-charged, used, second-hand or scrap, and whether present in devices and vehicles or packaged separately,” said the UK P&I Club’s loss prevention director, Stuart Edmonston.

The paper also provides a review of current regulation around dangerous goods and an assessment of firefighting provisions and proposes guidelines to help pre-empt incidents.