Lithium Battery Safety

• Primary (Non-Rechargeable): Contains metallic lithium; reacts violently with moisture. Extinguish fires with Class D extinguisher, sand, or EHS crash kit materials. DO NOT use water to extinguish a primary lithium battery fire.
• Secondary (Rechargeable): Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries. Fires can be extinguished with an ABC or a Class D fire extinguisher, EHS Crash Kit materials, or sand. One of the key differences between these two types of batteries is the electrolyte that is used.

Li-Ion Batteries:

• Normally have a rigid housing in a cylindrical or rectangular shape.
• Use a liquid organic electrolyte.
• Higher density and offer a longer life cycle.
• Typically used for applications requiring a high energy capacity and enhanced durability.

LiPo Batteries:

• Have a flexible, soft, plastic/aluminum pouch.
• Use a gel or solid polymer electrolyte.
• Light weight, smaller, thinner, and offer different shapes.
• Have a shorter life cycle.
• Used in light weight applications and electronics. 

Flammability:

• Lithium-based battery components are inherently flammable, highly reactive to air and water, and generate excessive heat and flammable gases, which ultimately becomes a fire hazard.

Thermal runaway:

• Sometimes battery cell separators fail, resulting in the mixing of the anode and cathode, which creates an intense thermal reaction, which can result in a thermal runaway. Thermal runaway can occur as a result of building or purchasing lithium-based batteries with poor quality materials, overcharging, and storage or use in extreme temperatures.

Damaged Protective Outer Layer/Housing:

• A lithium based battery with damage to its protective layers exposing inner components will ultimately result in a hazardous outcome such as fire, thermal runaway, or a reaction producing toxic gases.

Bulging/Swelling:

The most common sign of battery failure. Internal battery components are in the degradation process and producing gasses. Batteries that are fully enclosed within a device may show this process with cracks or parts separating.

Excessive heat:

Temperatures over 113 degrees F/45 degrees C during battery use are signs of battery failure. Temperatures reached during use and charging do not reach these levels when operating normally.

Noises (hissing, cracking, popping):

Lithium-based batteries should not produce noises. Noises are a sign of chemical reaction that will lead to other hazards listed in this section.

Releases of odors and gases:

Odors and gases emanating from a battery is an indication that the battery is failing and could potentially produce a fire at any time.

Punctures:

Punctures in the protective outer layer or housing of a battery is considered a battery failure. Exposed battery components can react with air and water and ultimately create a hazardous environment leading to a fire.

Lithium-based battery failures require immediate attention in order to prevent an emergency situation from occurring. 

Bulging batteries:

Bulging batteries may be placed in fire proof/fire safe bags, the same that are used when in storage and during charging, and placed in an empty fume hood. If a fume hood is not available, place the battery and bag in a location clear of combustible and hazardous materials. Contact EHS immediately if you have a bulging lithium-based battery. 

Batteries with punctures, in thermal-runaway, or producing smoke or gas:

• Batteries in this category are in an emergency situation
• Dial x6611 (518-276-6427) to notify public safety
• Use a Lithium Battery Crash Kit:
  • Place it in an empty fume hood if safe to do so. If an empty fume hood is not available, place the kit in a location clear of combustible and hazardous materials.
  • If a crash kit is not available, place the battery in a fire safe bag. Place it in an empty fume hood if safe to do so. 

Due to their significant hazards, EHS requires the following guidelines when procuring, building, charging, and storing lithium-based batteries. Always follow the battery manufacturers instructions and recommendations. 

EHS requires approval from supervision and/or the space owner prior to procurement and work commencing with lithium-based batteries.

Procurement:

Ensure that batteries in use or to be purchased are labeled with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) identification. This identification is placed on batteries that have been thoroughly tested and will perform as expected.

Storage:

• Batteries should always be stored away from sources of ignition, flames, extreme heat, hazardous materials, and combustible materials (including fabrics).
• Store batteries at room temperature and within fire proof non-metal containers, such as fire-safe bags intended for lithium-based batteries. These containers should be used when batteries are not actively in use.
• Physically separate batteries from conductive materials including metals and other batteries.
• Ensure that batteries are holding a charge within a safe range while in storage.

Charging:

• Charge batteries following manufacturers instructions and recommendations.
• Charge using UL or ETL certified chargers.
• Never use a third party charger as they may not match up to the requirements for the battery. Third party charger use is a primary cause of battery failure.
• Ensure charging batteries are supervised. DO NOT leave batteries being charged unattended.

Lithium-based batteries cannot be disposed of in the normal waste stream. To properly dispose of lithium-based batteries, please complete a Regulated Waste Pickup Request. 

For more information, please visit our Regulated Waste Management webpage.

The 2025 New York State Fire Code includes new provisions covering the storage of lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries, which are detailed in the sections below.

The code provides exceptions to these requirements:

1. New or refurbished batteries installed in the equipment, devices or vehicles they are designed to power.
2. New or refurbished batteries packed for use with the equipment, devices or vehicles they are designed to power.
3. Batteries in original retail packaging that are rated at not more than 300 watt-hours for lithium-ion batteries or contain not more than 25 grams of lithium metal for lithium metal batteries. 25 grams of lithium metal for lithium metal batteries is the equivalent of 83.33 amp hours (Ah) or 83,330 milli-amp hours (mAh)
4. Temporary storage of batteries or battery components during the battery manufacturing process prior to completion of final quality control checks.
5. Temporary storage of batteries during the vehicle manufacturing or repair process.

Please note that batteries that meet these code exceptions are required to follow EHS lithium battery safety requirements detailed in previous sections of this page.

Permits are required for an accumulation of more than 15 cubic feet (0.42 m3) of lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries that do not meet the exceptions detailed in the previous, General Information, section. Please contact EHS if you have or plan to have lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries that, together, exceed 15 cubic feet.

Not more than 15 cubic feet (0.42 m3) of lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries shall be permitted to be stored in containers in accordance with all of the following:

1. Containers shall be open top and constructed of noncombustible materials or shall be approved for battery collection.
2. Individual containers and groups of containers shall not exceed a capacity of 7.5 cubic feet (0.21 m3).
3. A second container or group of containers shall be separated by not less than 3 feet (914 mm) of open space or 10 feet (3048 mm) of space that contains combustible materials.
4. Containers shall be located not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from exits or exit access doors.

Exception: Containers listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1487 and installed in accordance with their listing and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Indoor storage that does not conform to the above is required to meet Technical Opinion and Report requirements:

A technical opinion and report shall be prepared to evaluate the fire and explosion risks associated with the indoor storage area and to make recommendations for fire and explosion protection. The report shall be submitted to the fire code official and shall require the fire code official’s approval prior to issuance of a permit. The technical opinion and report shall specifically evaluate the following:

1. The potential for deflagration of flammable gases released during a thermal runaway event.
2. The basis of design for an automatic sprinkler system or other approved fire suppression system. Such design basis shall reference relevant full-scale fire testing or another approved method of demonstrating sufficiency of the recommended design.

Where indoor storage areas for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries are located in a building with other uses, battery storage areas shall be separated from the remainder of the building by 2-hour rated fire barriers or horizontal assemblies. Fire barriers shall be constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the Building Code of New York State, and horizontal assemblies shall be constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the Building Code of New York State.

Exceptions:

1. Where battery storage is contained in one or more approved prefabricated portable structures providing a complete 2-hour fire-resistance-rated enclosure, fire barriers and horizontal assemblies are not required.
2. Where battery storage is limited to new batteries in packaging that has been demonstrated to and approved by the fire code official as sufficient to isolate a fire in packaging to the package interior, fire barriers and horizontal assemblies are not required.

Indoor storage areas for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system complying with NFPA 13 or an approved alternative fire suppression system. The system design shall be based on recommendations in the approved technical opinion and report required by Section 320.4.2.1, which is located in "Limited Indoor Storage in Containers" above.

Indoor storage areas for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries shall be provided with an approved automatic fire detection and alarm system complying with Section 907. The fire detection system shall use air-aspirating smoke detection, radiant energy-sensing fire detection or both.

Indoor storage areas for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries with a demonstrated state of charge not exceeding 30 percent shall not be required to comply with the sections above, provided that procedures for limiting and verifying that the state of charge will not exceed 30 percent have been approved.

Complying with this section requires a standard operating procedure detailing 30 percent charged verification measures that is approved by EHS prior to work or research with the batteries.