As data centres grow to meet the demands of digital services, safety becomes more critical. One emerging risk is the use of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems. While these batteries are efficient and long lasting, they also present unique fire risks that data centre operators must address.
The Science of the Flames
To understand why lithium-ion batteries are a fire hazard we need to look inside the cell. A typical lithium-ion battery has a flammable electrolyte and tightly packed anode and cathode materials, separated by a thin membrane. If this membrane fails the internal structure can short circuit and thermal runaway will occur.
Thermal runaway isn’t a slow burn. It’s a rapid, often explosive event where battery temperatures can spike to over 1,000°C in seconds. Once started the heat from one failing cell can cascade to adjacent cells and fire can spread through entire battery packs in seconds. The triggers? Overcharging, manufacturing defects or physical damage - conditions common in large scale UPS systems under stress.
The Rise of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Data Centres
Li-ion batteries are becoming the go to choice for UPS systems due to their compact size, longer lifespan and lower maintenance compared to lead-acid batteries. According to the Fire Protection Association Li-ion batteries will account for 38.5% of the data centre battery market by 2025, up from 15% in 2020.
Why are Lithium-Ion Fires So Bad?
Unlike standard electrical fires lithium-ion battery fires behave in more volatile and unpredictable ways. They can reignite hours after being extinguished, release toxic gases and resist suppression by conventional fire fighting methods. This is not just a technical challenge - it’s an operational risk, especially in high density environments like data centres where downtime means immediate revenue loss.
Fire Risks of Li-Ion Batteries
Despite their advantages Li-ion batteries have inherent fire risks:
Thermal Runaway: A failure in one cell can lead to a chain reaction and the battery can overheat and potentially ignite.
Incorrect Installation: HKA highlights that incorrect installation or no fire suppression systems can exacerbate the risk.
Inadequate Standards: Some existing fire safety standards may not fully cover Li-ion battery risks.
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has published guidance on Li-ion battery fires highlighting the complexities of detection, control and extinguishment and post fire management.
Real World Failures
The dangers of lithium-ion battery failure are not theoretical. In 2016 Samsung faced a global crisis when its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones started to catch fire. The issue was internal battery defects and misaligned components that triggered short circuits. The fallout was a full product recall, damaged brand trust and over $5 billion (£3.6 billion) in losses.
Outside of consumer electronics similar incidents have been reported in electric vehicles, e-bike batteries and even data centre UPS systems. These events highlight the importance of robust battery design, installation standards and proactive fire risk management.
Extinguishing the Inextinguishable
One of the most worrying aspects of lithium-ion battery fires is how hard they are to put out. Traditional suppression systems like CO₂ or water based sprinklers can struggle to contain the heat and chemical volatility. There’s also the risk of reignition even after the fire appears to be out.
Specialised solutions are emerging. Clean agent systems using gases like Novec 1230 and water mist technologies that cool battery surfaces without harming sensitive electronics have shown promise. Aerosol based fire suppression effective in enclosed battery cabinets can also act fast to prevent fire spread.
But suppression isn’t just about technology. Early detection, coordinated response and real time system integration are key. That’s where fire alarm management platforms like those from Drax Technology play a crucial role, enabling faster incident response and system wide awareness.
Best Practice for Resilience
Prevention is the best tool to reduce battery related fires. For data centres this starts with smart infrastructure choices: spacing batteries to avoid heat buildup, effective ventilation and designing systems that isolate faulty cells before failure spreads.
Regular maintenance is non negotiable. Battery health monitoring, thermal scanning and automated diagnostics help identify issues long before they become dangerous. Just as important is staff readiness - incident response protocols should address lithium-ion hazards not just general electrical fires.
Mitigating Risks with Intelligent Fire Alarm Management
To address these issues, fire alarm management systems need to be integrated. Drax Technology offers solutions for data centres:
Real Time Monitoring
Our real time monitoring solution monitors fire alarm systems continuously, detects anomalies and responds to potential fire incidents immediately.
Centralised Alarm Management
Drax Technology’s solution consolidates data from multiple fire alarm panels into one view and simplifies fire safety management across multiple sites.
Compliance and Reporting
Our solution includes automated testing logs and maintenance records to help with compliance and audits.
Integration with Fire Suppression Systems
Our solutions can interface with existing fire suppression systems to coordinate responses to fire and improve overall safety.
Proactive Fire Safety
Intelligent fire alarm management systems allow data centre operators to be proactive on fire safety especially with Li-ion batteries. By using real time monitoring and comprehensive management tools potential issues can be identified and addressed before they become major incidents.
As Li-ion batteries are used more in data centres so does the importance of fire safety. Drax Technology’s fire alarm management solutions provide the tools to mitigate risks, comply and protect critical infrastructure.
Stay ahead of the risks. Contact us to find out more about your data centre’s fire safety.
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