With prevalence of lithium-ion batteries, fire risk grows across construction sites

The widespread use of tools and equipment powered by lithium-ion batteries increases the risk of damaging fires on construction sites, according to Ramtech, a supplier of temporary fire detection and site safety solutions.

When compromised by damage or overcharging, tools and equipment can enter thermal runaway—a state of uncontrollable, self-heating that produces intense heat and flammable gases, according to a Ramtech news release.

These risks are amplified by temporary charging setups and evolving storage conditions where supervision and early detection are often inconsistent.

“The challenge is not simply the presence of batteries, but how unpredictably they move through live construction environments,” says James Pecz, vice president of Ramtech North America. “Batteries are constantly being charged, relocated, and used across multiple work fronts, often under changing site conditions and shifting supervision. That creates variability in risk control.”

The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) new Battery Safety Code (NFPA 800) is designed to address the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. It is the first full lifecycle standard for battery safety, covering manufacturing, transport, installation, operation, emergency response, and end-of-life management.

The standard introduces energy thresholds and maximum allowable quantities that determine when additional safeguards are required. NFPA 800 is expected to remain valid for two years while it moves through the NFPA’s standard development process.

Although it is unlikely to immediately become enforceable in building codes, the new standard is expected to influence best practices across construction and infrastructure projects, Ramtech says.