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‘Battery’ arsonist: New VDMA Specification characterises storage cabinets for lithium-ion batteries
- Demand is growing, sensitive batteries can be found in many electrical devices
- Lithium-ion batteries in smartphones, laptops, e-scooters, e-bikes, etc.
- No uniform standard to date – VDMA Specification 24994 defines exact test procedure for the first time
Frankfurt/M. – 16 September 2024. Battery arsonists: Fires caused by overheated ion-lithium batteries from e-bikes & co. are increasingly making the headlines. The simplest solution is to store and charge the battery in special storage cabinets. The new VDMA Specification 24994 characterises reliable models – until now, there was no standardised certification for this product area. ‘The VDMA Specification offers consumers guidance when making purchasing decisions,’ says Falko Adomat, Managing Director of the European Security Systems Association (ESSA). ‘Cabinets that have withstood the test requirements reduce the risk of fire enormously.’
The cause of the fire is usually not visible from the outside
The demand for cabinets in which lithium-ion batteries can be safely stored and charged is growing. These extremely effective batteries can be found in smartphones, laptops, e-readers, electric tools, electric scooters, e-bikes, etc. Due to their high energy density and the rapid flammability of lithium, they can catch fire under unfavourable circumstances. According to the Fire Brigade 2023, there were around 150 e-bike fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in the UK alone. This also happens time and again in Germany, the Netherlands and many other countries. The causes of the fires are usually not even visible from the outside. These include damage to the battery, e.g. as a result of falls, production errors or inferior material quality. The charging phase is particularly tricky.
ESSA – The International Security Association is the leading international association of the physical security industry, based in Frankfurt/Main. ESSA currently has over 100 members from five continents.