Lithium batteries can be found in many areas of daily life. It is hard to imagine everyday life without rechargeable lithium ion batteries for mobile phones, notebooks, power tools and electric garden equipment, electric lawnmowers and bicycles, and they are also be-ing used in the automotive sector in the onward march of electromobility.

The energy content is much greater in comparison with conventional battery technolo-gies, meaning the energy released and the extent of damage in the event of fire can in-crease significantly. Specific dangers in lithium battery technology are self-ignition and intense fire events connected with very fast fire spread. The associated risks represent particular challenges for fire prevention. Lithium batteries are always categorised as dangerous goods in re-gard to transport law and are subject to dangerous goods regulations during transport.

This Leaflet is primarily concerned with lithium ion batteries as these have been most frequently used in the familiar fire tests and are also currently the most widely used. It may be necessary to take other actions when applying it to other types (e.g. lithium-metal).

This Leaflet was developed by a VdS project group with representatives of the insurance trade, industry and experts.