Ali Ashrafi and Elisa Paone Discuss Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety in Building Design + Construction

Thornton Tomasetti experts Ali Ashrafi and Elisa Paone examine the fire safety risks lithium-ion batteries can pose in buildings in a recent Building Design + Construction article. 

As lithium-ion batteries become more common in electric vehicles, e-bikes and scooters, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), their use is changing the fire risk profile of buildings. Ali and Elisa explain how thermal runaway can lead to fast-moving fires, combustible gas release, and potential explosions, creating unique challenges for building occupants and first responders. 

The article explores lithium-ion battery fire risks at different scales and outlines strategies for mitigating them through building design, fire protection, structural hardening, means of egress and collaboration among owners, designers, regulators and first responders.

Read the article in Building Design + Construction