Following a fire at a lithium-ion battery recycling plant in Fredericktown, Missouri, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has issued guidance on handling fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
The incident, which led to evacuations, serves as a reminder of the growing dangers these batteries present when processed or recycled.
The NFPA advises facilities and safety personnel to adopt specific safety practices to mitigate risks during recycling and processing, given the potential for fires and explosions.
The Missouri plant, operated by Critical Mineral Recovery, is one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery processing facilities.
While the cause of the fire is not yet known, NFPA experts underscore the inherent risks in handling lithium-ion batteries, particularly those that may arrive at recycling plants in damaged or unstable conditions.
NFPA experts explain that lithium-ion battery recycling involves multiple high-risk factors.
Brian O’Connor, NFPA’s Senior Technical Services Engineer, notes that damaged batteries arriving at recycling facilities often pose an increased chance of failure: “These batteries can arrive in less-than-perfect condition,” he said, adding that such batteries can experience thermal runaway—a process in which the battery overheats and risks fire, off-gassing, and sometimes explosions.
Battery recycling usually requires shredding to recover valuable metals, and according to O’Connor, “when you shred a lithium-ion battery, it catches on fire.” While some recycling methods attempt to contain these fires by shredding batteries underwater, many processes remain hazardous.
The NFPA advises that facilities adhere to established fire safety codes to manage these risks.
NFPA 1, Fire Code; NFPA 101, Life Safety Code; and NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, provide foundational guidance for managing fire and life safety in facilities handling lithium-ion batteries.
O’Connor emphasized the importance of following these standards: “First and foremost, always follow the applicable fire and life safety codes.”
Additionally, NFPA recommends that facilities establish a strong safety culture, training employees thoroughly on hazard awareness, emergency procedures, and risk management.
In facilities where high-risk activities like battery shredding take place, training and adherence to standards are essential to safeguard workers and infrastructure.
As the use of lithium-ion batteries increases, so too do the risks they present.
NFPA is addressing this issue by updating codes and creating new standards.
For instance, the 2024 edition of NFPA 1 includes provisions for charging multiple micromobility devices, like e-bikes and e-scooters, which have contributed to increased fire incidents in urban areas.
Additionally, NFPA is developing NFPA 800, Battery Safety Code, a forthcoming standard that aims to reduce battery-related fire risks at every stage, from production to disposal.
The NFPA envisions this code as a comprehensive framework for facilities handling lithium-ion batteries, aiming to cover everything from the storage and recycling of batteries to their production and end-of-life processing.
In response to a lithium-ion battery plant fire in Fredericktown, Missouri, the NFPA has issued guidance on fire safety in battery recycling facilities.
The Missouri incident highlights the inherent risks in handling and recycling lithium-ion batteries, particularly those that are damaged.
NFPA’s Brian O’Connor points to the dangers of thermal runaway and stranded energy, which make recycling a high-risk process.
NFPA advises that facilities adhere to fire codes like NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 and foster a strong safety culture through employee training.
As battery use grows, NFPA is advancing battery-specific standards, such as the upcoming NFPA 800, to address fire risks throughout the battery lifecycle.
