UK safety experts to discuss lithium-ion battery risks at Fire Safety Event
Iain Hoey
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Experts to examine lithium-ion battery safety regulations
S Jones Containers has announced it will host a panel seminar on lithium-ion battery safety regulations at the Fire Safety Event on Wednesday 9 April at the NEC in Birmingham.
The session will be led by Andrew Nicholls, Head of Conversions at S Jones Containers.
It will bring together experts from Warwick Manufacturing Group, Electrical Safety First, and the Fire Protection Association to discuss current gaps in UK legislation relating to the manufacture, storage and testing of lithium-ion batteries.
As electric vehicle use increases, the session will focus on the need for regulation that balances safe handling with continued innovation.
According to S Jones Containers, thermal runaway events during testing or use pose risks that current rules do not sufficiently address.
Warwick Manufacturing Group to share battery safety research
Dr Simon Jones, Principal Engineer at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), will join the panel discussion.
Dr Jones oversees the WMG Battery Safety Centre, which provides abuse testing services for industrial clients.
WMG is an academic department of the University of Warwick and part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
Dr Jones has 30 years of experience in destructive testing and specialises in battery failure events such as thermal runaway.
His work includes research on improving the safety of battery technologies used in electric vehicles.
Electrical Safety First and Fire Protection Association to contribute insights
Giuseppe Capanna, Product Safety Engineer at Electrical Safety First, will also join the panel.
He has been involved in the organisation’s battery safety campaign, which aims to protect UK consumers from faulty lithium-ion products, including those used in e-bikes and e-scooters.
Chris Miles, Commercial Director at the Fire Protection Association, will contribute on behalf of the organisation.
According to the Fire Protection Association, there is limited understanding in the market of the full range of fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
The organisation publishes industry guidance and carries out testing and research related to fire safety, including battery hazards.
Additional seminar planned for July battery expo
The Fire Safety Event runs from 8 to 10 April and is aimed at professionals and organisations working to maintain and improve fire safety standards.
S Jones Containers will exhibit throughout the event at stand 4/F106.
The seminar, titled Electric Revolution, Safety Evolution: Prioritising Battery Regulations, is scheduled for 10.15 to 10.45 on Wednesday 9 April in the Innovation and Compliance Theatre.
The company also plans to host a similar panel discussion at the Battery Cells & Systems Expo at the NEC on 9 July.
That session will cover battery safety and best practices in the industry.
UK safety experts to discuss lithium-ion battery risks at Fire Safety Event: Summary
S Jones Containers will host a panel seminar at the Fire Safety Event on 9 April 2025 at the NEC Birmingham.
The session will examine the current state of UK regulations on lithium-ion battery manufacturing, storage and testing.
Panel members include representatives from Warwick Manufacturing Group, Electrical Safety First and the Fire Protection Association.
Dr Simon Jones of WMG will share research from the WMG Battery Safety Centre.
Giuseppe Capanna of Electrical Safety First will speak about the group’s campaign on e-bike and e-scooter battery safety.
Chris Miles of the Fire Protection Association will discuss industry risk awareness.
The event aims to address concerns around thermal runaway and regulatory gaps.
The seminar will take place from 10.15 to 10.45 on 9 April in the Innovation and Compliance Theatre.
S Jones Containers will also present on battery safety at the Battery Cells & Systems Expo at the NEC in July.
