Technology

[Guest Ian Malone]

As an electrician I spend a great  amount of time working on emergency lights, I have a concern it involves the batteries that are fitted to most new emergency lights . On various internet sites Li-ion batteries are shown exploding when set on fire.

I have worked on various sites where the corridor lighting consists of multiple maintained emergency lights containing these batteries and I wonder are rules in place to protect people from the explosive reaction and/or is there no acknowledged risk.

[Tom Sutton]

The reason for fires in Li-ion batteries, the explosion risk is not a major consideration, is design faults or using the incorrect charging equipment, consequently providing the EL units are BSI approved there should be no problems. 

[AnthonyB]

Emergency light fittings almost invariably use NiCad batteries anyway, so aren't really a concern, I'd be interested to know whose brand is using Li-ion