Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices residents use every day, such as laptops and phones, as well as micromobility vehicles like e-bikes and e-scooters. While these batteries are generally safe, improper charging, damaged equipment, incompatible chargers, and unauthorized modifications can create serious fire hazards. In multifamily housing environments, where a single incident can impact multiple units and residents, understanding these risks is increasingly important.
To help housing organizations better understand and manage these emerging hazards, we offered a free training session where members of the HAI Group Risk Control and Consulting team, including current and retired fire service personnel, discussed how lithium-ion battery fires occur, why they behave differently from traditional fires, and provided practical steps housing organizations can take to reduce risk.
Key takeaways
-
How lithium-ion battery fires start and why they differ from conventional fires
-
Common causes of battery failure, including damage, overcharging, incompatible chargers, and unauthorized modifications
-
Best practices for charging, storing, and disposing of batteries safely
-
Fire protection considerations for multifamily housing properties
-
Real-world claim examples that demonstrate the financial and operational impact of battery-related fires
Key insights
Throughout the session, Mary Ciccaglione, assistant director of Risk Control and Consulting; Nick Mayo, senior risk control consultant; and Michael DeMennato, risk control consultant, shared important facts and real-world experiences that highlight why lithium-ion battery safety deserves attention.
DeMennato emphasized that lithium-ion battery fires pose not only a major fire risk but also a risk of water damage.
"These flammable vapors, they're very easily, readily able to reignite," DeMennato said. "They're difficult to extinguish. It takes more water to extinguish these types of fires... so not only do you have the damage from the fire itself, but now you're getting the water damage associated with it."
Ciccaglione spoke about recent lithium-ion battery claims that have been submitted to HAI Group, detailing the damages incurred and the total costs as a result of these fires.
One example involved a housing organization in which a resident was charging an e-scooter battery on a kitchen table. The battery exploded, resulting in a fire. The sprinkler shutoff couldn't be closed immediately, resulting in significant water damage throughout the building. The claim is currently estimated to cost between $200,000 and $250,000
"In total, there were 12 units that sustained water damage, and an additional four were deemed uninhabitable," Ciccaglione explained. "There were some electrical panels, as well as fire alarm panels, that had to be replaced.
Mayo noted that these kinds of fires are prone to explosions, putting staff and residents at significant risk of harm.
"When these burning battery components ignite, each individual battery cell may rupture violently," Mayo said. "Burning materials, hot gases, and battery components can forcefully be expelled from that battery casing, [with] these potential projectiles being thrown about either an apartment or a hallway."
Access more resources
Explore additional fire risk management tools, checklists, and guidance in HAI Group's Fire Prevention Center, created to help housing organizations stay informed, prepared, and resilient.
Additional free training resources include:
- Burning Issue: Understanding the Fire Risks of E-Bikes, Micromobility Products for Housing Agencies
- 3 Emerging Risks to Public and Affordable Housing Organizations
- Housing Risk Guide: Fire Protection for Buildings Under Construction
- Free Training: Fire Safety in Multifamily Housing
Stay connected
Sign up for updates from our blog to stay ahead of emerging trends in insurance, risk management, online training, and affordable housing research, and gain access to the latest resources and tools.
