The Educator Magazine U.K. September - December 2025 issue. - Magazine - Page 34
Enhancing fire
safety in schools:
Addressing the growing lithium-ion battery threat
manufacturing defects, overcharging,
or improper storage. Once a battery
temperature reaches 60°C and above, it
triggers a chain reaction of events leading
to difficult-to-extinguish fires that release
toxic gas and smoke. The explosive and
self-sustaining nature of this type of fire
can cause rapid thermal runaway in
otherwise undamaged cells, bringing in
the risk of collateral fires that can spread
to surrounding areas. It must also be
understood that, as with all fires, there
is a danger of reignition when the fire is
thought to have been properly
extinguished.
The use and storage of rechargeable
devices is commonplace in today’s
technology-driven learning environments.
Bruce Robins, director at fire trade supplier
CheckFire, highlights the unique fire risks
associated with lithium-ion batteries
contained in these devices, and explores
the proactive approach required to protect
staff and students, and ensure legal
compliance.
In today’s digitally connected classrooms,
the integration of lithium-ion batterypowered devices, such as smartphones,
tablets, and laptops, has revolutionised how
students learn and communicate. Yet
behind this digital convenience lies a
growing and often overlooked threat, and
it would appear that many remain largely
unaware of the potentially devastating
dangers these items pose if not handled
correctly.
When manufactured and used safely and
correctly, lithium-ion batteries are not
dangerous. However, if the battery
somehow gets damaged, by overcharging,
malfunction or overheating, for example,
they pose a significant fire risk.
Lithium-ion battery fires are fast, intense,
and difficult to extinguish. For schools –
where safety is imperative and fires can
have catastrophic impact on the entire
community – this requires a proactive
approach to help combat the threat.
As educational environments become
increasingly dependent on rechargeable
devices, those responsible for fire safety
must not only understand the risks of
lithium-ion battery-powered devices, but
also know how to mitigate them and ensure
the right tools are in place to handle these
unique fires.
The unique fire risk of lithium-ion
batteries
In schools, colleges, and universities, the
use of lithium-ion battery-powered devices
is widespread. These batteries are found
in laptops, tablets, mobile phones
e-readers, and smartwatches, as well as
e-bikes, e-scooters, and vapes. Yet, many
remain unaware of their dangers if they’re
not maintained or handled correctly.
UK fire brigades now attend at least three
lithium-ion battery fires a day,
according to insurance company QBE.
It found that reports of fires related to
lithium-ion batteries surged by 93%
between 2022 and 2024 – a shocking
statistic that underscores a pressing
need for the education sector to be fully
informed and adequately prepared to
address these fires.
Unlike typical fires, involving paper,
wood, or textiles in the school setting, for
example, lithium-ion battery fires are
chemically driven. However, the core
danger here lies in a phenomenon called
thermal runaway, which is an
uncontrollable, self-heating state that
occurs when a battery cell becomes
damaged due to overheating,
In the densely populated environment of
an educational setting, where dozens, if
not hundreds, of devices may be in use
or charging simultaneously in classrooms,
offices, and breakout areas, this risk is
compounded. Lithium-ion battery fires can
erupt without warning and are incredibly
difficult to control with fire extinguishers
traditionally found in this setting that
teachers and staff will be familiar with – that
is; water fire extinguishers (for paper and
wood fires), foam fire extinguishers (for
flammable liquid fires), and CO2 fire
extinguishers (for electrical fires), which are
all prominent risks in this environment.
This necessitates the importance of
educating all in authority and ensuring
a proactive approach to managing and
mitigating the unique fire risk of lithium-ion
battery fires.
Legal responsibilities and how to
ensure compliance
In England and Wales, fire safety in
educational institutions is governed by the
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
(RRFSO). This legislation places the legal
duty on the “responsible person”
(typically the headteacher, governing body,
or facilities manager) to ensure the premises
are safe from fire risks, including emerging
threats like those from lithium-ion batteries,
and that every reasonable step is taken to
reduce the risk of fire. Recently updated
guidance now stipulates that lithium-ion
batteries should be considered in all fire risk
assessments – high-risk environments like
schools must ensure safety protocols are
updated accordingly.