Earlier than smoke detection
It responds during venting, not after a cell has already ignited.
detection
Lithium-ion Battery Safety Systems
Catch thermal runaway in the only window that matters — off-gas detection for battery rooms, UPS rooms and energy storage, before a cell ignites.
Overview
What Is Lithium-ion Off-Gas Detection?
Lithium-ion failures behave differently from almost every other fire risk, and the difference decides how they have to be detected. A failing cell does not smoulder in the ordinary sense. Internal resistance rises, the cell heats, the electrolyte begins to decompose, and the cell vents a mixture of flammable and toxic gases through its safety vent. Only then does it ignite.
That sequence is the opportunity. The venting phase happens before ignition and produces a gas signature quite unlike ordinary smoke. A detector tuned to those electrolyte vapours responds during it. Conventional smoke detection, waiting for combustion particulate, generally responds only once the cell is already alight — too late to isolate, ventilate or move anything.
- Tuned to the off-gas Detection targets the electrolyte vapours cells release as they begin to fail.
- Responds before ignition The alarm comes during venting, while intervention still changes the outcome.
- Per module or string Monitoring is arranged so the alarm identifies which unit to isolate.
- It drives a response Charge stop, string isolation, ventilation and alarm rather than notification alone.
Operation
How Off-Gas Detection Works
01
Monitor the space
Detectors sample the air around the battery modules continuously.
02
Identify the signature
The system responds to electrolyte vapour rather than combustion particulate.
03
Alarm during venting
The alert comes while the pack is heating, before any cell ignites.
04
Isolate and ventilate
Charging stops, the string is isolated and extraction clears the gas.
Benefits
Why Choose Off-Gas Detection?
Built for cells
Targets the electrolyte vapour signature specific to lithium-ion failure.
Identifies the module
Monitoring per string tells you which unit to isolate.
Stops the charge
Interlocks to charge control and string isolation, not just an alarm.
Clears the gas
Ventilation interlock removes flammable vapour before it accumulates.
Limits propagation
Intervening early is what keeps the event to a module rather than a room.
Applications
Applications Across Critical Environments
Once propagation starts, thermal runaway is self-sustaining and very difficult to stop. Everything useful happens before that point.
Battery energy storage
BESS containers and rooms with high stored energy.
Industry detailUPS and data centre battery rooms
Standby power supporting critical load.
Industry detailEV charging and workshops
Charging bays and vehicle battery handling areas.
Industry detailBattery storage and logistics
Warehousing and distribution of cells at scale.
Industry detailManufacturing and assembly
Production lines handling cells and modules.
Industry detailTelecom and utility sites
Remote standby power installations.
Industry detailGuidance in this area is still developing and insurer requirements vary considerably. We design to the current requirement of your authority and insurer, and state in writing what has been applied.
Configuration
Inside a Battery Safety System
- Off-gas detectors positioned to sample the air around the modules at risk.
- Controller and monitoring arranged per module or string so the alarm identifies the unit.
- Charge and isolation interface to stop charging and isolate the affected string.
- Ventilation interlock to clear flammable vapour before it can accumulate.
- Alarm and remote indication local warning plus reporting to the fire system or BMS.
- Design, commissioning and maintenance including placement study and functional testing at handover.
Our services
End-to-End Battery Safety Solutions
- Site assessment and risk review walking the actual space before anything is specified.
- System selection and application engineering matching the technology to the environment and the risk.
- Detector placement study for battery rooms so the coverage you pay for is the coverage you get.
- Integration with existing fire alarm systems including the cause-and-effect for any linked response.
- Installation, testing and commissioning with the installed system proven on handover.
- Preventive maintenance and technical support under AMC, with a documented service record.
Compliance
System Integration and Compliance
Standards and approvals
Battery room and energy storage protection is applied under Part 4 of the National Building Code (NBC 2016) together with the electrical and ventilation requirements for the installation.
Insurers increasingly set specific conditions for lithium-ion storage, and these frequently go beyond statutory requirements. Guidance in this area is still developing.
Because of that, we design to the current requirement of your authority and your insurer and state in writing what has been applied, rather than citing a standard that may not yet apply to your installation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What facility and energy teams usually ask about battery safety.
Still have a question?
Speak directly with one of our fire safety engineers.
Call +91 88795 33000Why not just use smoke detection?
A failing cell vents gas before it ignites. Smoke detection waits for combustion particulate, so it generally responds only once the cell is alight — past the point where isolating or ventilating helps.
What is thermal runaway?
A self-sustaining reaction in which a failing cell heats its neighbours until they fail too. It supplies its own oxidiser, which is why smothering it has limited effect.
Can suppression stop it?
Suppression can cool a pack and protect the structure around it, but preventing propagation is far more effective than fighting it once started.
Where does this apply?
Battery rooms, UPS rooms, BESS installations, charging areas and anywhere cells are stored at scale.
Does it stop charging automatically?
Where the design includes it, yes. The usual response is charge stop, string isolation and ventilation, driven together.
What standards apply?
Guidance is developing and varies by authority and insurer. We design to your current requirement and document what has been applied.
What do you need to quote a project?
The chemistry and quantity of cells, room layout and ventilation, charging arrangements, and your insurer's conditions if they have set any.
Engineered to your hazard class
Protect Battery Rooms Before a Cell Ignites
Talk to our team about off-gas detection sized to your battery installation, your ventilation and your insurer's requirements.