Sfpe symposium to address lithium-ion battery fire safety

Event announced for Lisbon in November

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has announced that it will hold the Engineering Solutions Symposium: Addressing European Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety Challenges in Lisbon, Portugal, from 11 to 13 November 2025.

According to SFPE, the event will focus on lithium-ion battery fire risks across sectors including consumer electronics, e-bikes, electric vehicles, and battery energy storage systems.

The organisation said the symposium is intended to bring together researchers, engineers, manufacturers, insurers, facility managers, and first responders to discuss risk management, regulatory requirements, and design solutions.

It added that the three-day programme will include technical presentations, panel discussions, and opportunities for interactive dialogue.

Focus on lithium-ion battery hazards

SFPE explained that lithium-ion batteries are among the most pressing fire safety hazards in the sector, requiring updated approaches to system design, emergency response, and regulation.

The organisation said that delegates will examine battery hazard fundamentals, the mechanics of thermal runaway, and how fire safety codes are adapting to new risks.

It added that the event will also address mitigation strategies for high-risk applications, particularly in e-mobility, electric vehicles, and energy storage.

Learning objectives

SFPE outlined that the symposium’s learning objectives will include examining fire safety implications of new battery technologies and understanding thermal runaway.

It stated that further objectives will cover design and regulatory issues for energy storage systems, as well as the use of diagnostics and monitoring tools in safety management.

The organisation added that discussions will also assess the impact of battery fires on infrastructure and emergency response.

It said that the programme aims to promote collaboration between industry sectors to build safer battery ecosystems.

International committee

According to SFPE, the programme is guided by an international committee of experts.

The symposium will be co-chaired by Adam Barowy and Guillermo Rein, PhD.

The organisation explained that the committee includes researchers and practitioners representing academia, industry, and government agencies.

Site visit

SFPE confirmed that the symposium will close with a site visit.

It said that participants will tour a new data centre in Lisbon featuring a lithium-ion battery backup system.

The organisation explained that the visit is designed to provide attendees with a first-hand view of how safety systems are integrated into such facilities.

Registration details

SFPE reported that the symposium will be hosted at the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa.

The organisation added that early-bird registration discounts are available until 10 October 2025.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The symposium provides fire and safety professionals with the opportunity to engage directly with current research on lithium-ion battery fire hazards.

The event highlights emerging risks associated with electric vehicles, e-mobility, and energy storage systems, which are increasingly relevant to operational and regulatory work in the sector.

It also offers practical insights into hazard assessment, code development, and mitigation strategies that can be applied in professional practice.

SFPE symposium to address lithium-ion battery fire safety: Summary

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) will hold a symposium on lithium-ion battery fire safety in Lisbon from 11 to 13 November 2025.

The event will focus on risks in consumer electronics, e-bikes, electric vehicles, and battery energy storage systems.

SFPE said the symposium will include technical sessions, panel discussions, and interactive dialogue.

The organisation explained that learning objectives cover thermal runaway, system design, regulations, diagnostics, and infrastructure impacts.

The programme is led by co-chairs Adam Barowy and Guillermo Rein, PhD, supported by an international committee.

The event will conclude with a site visit to a Lisbon data centre with a lithium-ion battery backup system.

The Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa will host the symposium.

Early-bird registration is open until 10 October 2025.