Ramtech, the temporary fire detection, life safety and site security system specialist, has issued a warning over the implications of NFPA 800, saying the forthcoming standard highlights escalating fire risks linked to lithium-ion batteries across construction and infrastructure projects.
The new guidance from the National Fire Protection Association is expected to become the first full lifecycle battery safety code, covering manufacturing, transport, installation, operation, emergency response and end-of-life management.
Ramtech says the rapid adoption of lithium-ion-powered tools, temporary power systems and charging infrastructure on construction sites is increasing exposure to thermal runaway events, where damaged or overcharged batteries can overheat uncontrollably and release flammable gases.
James Pecz, Vice President of Ramtech North America and member of the NFPA 72 Temporary Fire Alarm Notification Task Group, said the scale and mobility of batteries across active sites is creating new challenges for safety management.
“Lithium-ion batteries are now embedded in almost every aspect of construction activity, from hand tools through to temporary power systems. What has changed is not their presence, but the scale and speed of adoption. That has created a gap between operational reality on site and the consistency of fire safety frameworks designed to manage these risks.
“The challenge is not simply the presence of batteries, but how unpredictably they move through live construction environments. Batteries are not fixed assets – they 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. Without consistent segregation, monitoring and early warning, the exposure can change hour by hour on active projects.”
NFPA 800 introduces energy thresholds and maximum allowable quantities to determine when additional safety measures are required, while aligning with existing standards including NFPA 241, NFPA 70, NFPA 72 and NFPA 855.
While the standard is expected to remain provisional for up to two years, Ramtech says it is likely to influence best practice across the industry even before formal adoption into building regulations.
Kyle Jarvenpaa, Vice President of business development at Space Age Electronics, said the standard is more of a consolidation of existing guidance than a completely new regulatory framework.
“I’m seeing NFPA 800 as a consolidation effort, rather than introducing entirely new standards around batteries. It’s creating a single ‘road map’ that ties together other existing standards. The impact in the near term will likely be felt most in how Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) interpret and apply it in their jurisdictions.
“Like any newly developed standard, there will be a large educational gap for awareness and alignment on how to enforce it, especially in an environment like a construction site where batteries are used on many levels, all the way down to hand tools. That’s where the industry needs to come together for more widespread understanding and enforcement of the standard.”
Ramtech added that the key challenge now is ensuring consistent implementation of battery safety controls on active sites, particularly during fast-moving construction phases involving multiple contractors.
James Pecz said the industry must move from awareness to execution.
“The hazard is already embedded across virtually every construction site. We now need to ensure that the controls we know are required are actually applied consistently in practice, particularly during high-pressure phases of construction where multiple contractors and rapid programme changes are involved.”
Ramtech, which recently relaunched its construction fire safety whitepaper with a 2026 edition focused on NFPA 241 gaps, is urging contractors, developers and facilities managers to review battery storage, charging, detection and emergency response procedures in light of NFPA 800.
