Liiontek explores lithium-ion battery fire risks, specialist extinguishing solutions and evolving safety standards for battery fire protection
Electrification is transforming almost every industry. Lithium-ion batteries now power water toys, drones, aircraft equipment, forklifts, tools, medical devices, energy-storage systems and countless products used at home and in the workplace.
This development brings enormous benefits, but it also introduces a different type of fire risk, one that cannot be addressed effectively with traditional firefighting methods alone.
Since 2021, Liiontek has focused entirely on preventing, detecting, controlling and extinguishing lithium-ion battery incidents. What began with specialist solutions for the superyacht industry has developed into a complete safety portfolio for marine, naval, defence, aviation, logistics, industrial, healthcare, data-centre and residential applications.
Our approach covers the complete incident cycle: identifying risks, detecting initial cell venting, automatically isolating charging equipment, suppressing thermal runaway, containing heat and pressure, protecting personnel and developing practical emergency procedures.
A new generation of lithium-ion fire extinguishers
At the centre of our portfolio is the Liiontek range of portable and integrated lithium-ion fire extinguishing systems.
The Hydrogel extinguishing agent is designed to do more than remove the visible flames. It cools the affected cells intensively, limits heat transfer to adjacent cells and helps prevent further thermal-runaway propagation and reignition.
This distinction is essential. A lithium-ion incident is driven by an internal electrochemical reaction. Simply extinguishing the external flames does not necessarily stop the process inside the battery. Effective intervention therefore requires rapid cooling, penetration and sustained temperature reduction.
Our extinguishing technology has been subjected to extensive independent testing, including programmes conducted by KIWA and MPA Dresden. The 6- and 9-litre extinguishers have achieved KIWA certification under NTA 8133, while additional formats have also undergone practical lithium-ion fire testing.
Across repeated live-fire tests, the extinguishing agent has demonstrated exceptionally rapid control, intensive cooling and strong resistance to reignition. Based on the breadth of independent testing and certification available to us, we believe the Liiontek range is among the most comprehensively tested and best-performing lithium-ion fire-extinguisher portfolios available worldwide.
The same technology is available in portable extinguishers and automatic integrated systems for applications such as battery cabinets, forklifts, machinery, charging areas and energy-storage installations.
Ready for EN 3-11 and the new Class L
The regulatory framework is now catching up with the real-world risks.
ISO 3941:2026 has officially introduced Class L for fires involving lithium-ion cells and batteries without metallic lithium. This formally recognises that lithium-ion battery fires differ fundamentally from conventional Class A, B, C, D and F fires.
EN 3-11 introduces additional performance, testing and marking requirements for portable extinguishers intended for small rechargeable lithium-ion battery fires. Its scope covers batteries up to 600 Wh, including those used in laptops, tools, medical equipment, drones and e-bikes.
Liiontek has actively prepared for these developments. Our products, test programmes and technical documentation have been developed around the same essential principles now being formalised: extinguishing the fire, cooling the cells, limiting propagation and reducing the possibility of reignition.
We are therefore fully prepared for testing under EN 3-11 and for the market transition towards formally recognised Class L extinguishing equipment.
Considering the test results and certifications already achieved, it would not surprise us if Liiontek becomes one of the first companies in the world to obtain formal approval and marking for a portable extinguisher specifically intended for Class L fires once the complete certification route is available.
Safety must develop alongside electrification
Lithium-ion batteries are not disappearing. Their use will continue to grow across every industry we serve.
The answer is not to create fear around batteries, but to introduce the right knowledge, procedures and independently tested safety equipment.
Liiontek’s objective is clear: to ensure that organisations are not powerless when a battery fails. Through prevention, early detection, effective extinguishing and practical training, lithium-ion incidents can be recognised earlier, controlled faster and prevented from developing into major fires.
Electrification is moving quickly. Fire safety must move with it.
Please note that this article first appeared in our Lithium Battery Fire Focus book.
