Lithium-Ion Battery Fires and Portable Extinguishers: A Question of Expectation

A recent CROSS-UK report highlights a growing issue in the market: portable fire extinguishers labelled as suitable for lithium-ion battery fires.

At face value, this appears to be a positive development. In reality, it raises an important question. What do these extinguishers actually do, and what are users being led to expect?

Lithium-ion battery fires are fundamentally different from conventional fires. They can involve thermal runaway, re-ignition, and sustained internal reactions. These are not conditions that most portable extinguishers are designed to control.

The concern is that labelling may imply a level of effectiveness that is not supported by consistent or widely recognised test standards. In practice, many of these extinguishers are likely to be limited to very early intervention or cooling, rather than true suppression.

This matters because it influences behaviour. If occupants or staff believe that a lithium-ion battery fire can be tackled safely with a portable extinguisher, they may delay evacuation or place themselves at unnecessary risk.

For designers and dutyholders, the key point is straightforward. Portable extinguishers should not be assumed to provide a reliable control measure for lithium-ion battery fires unless supported by clear and credible evidence.

More broadly, this reflects a familiar pattern. Emerging risks are being met with new products, but the development of robust standards and guidance is lagging behind.

Until that gap is closed, a cautious approach is essential. Prioritise life safety, clear evacuation strategies, and realistic assumptions about what fire safety measures can and cannot achieve.

This article is informed by publicly available CROSS-UK safety reports. The views expressed are those of the author and are intended to support learning and good practice.