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Hawkins welcomed clients from Crawfords to our Bristol office for an engaging and informative “Forensic Fun Day”, focused on key developments in fire investigation and emerging risks associated with modern technologies.
The event delivered a practical and insightful exploration of lithium-ion battery technology, an area of growing importance due to its widespread use in electric transport, portable electronics, and energy storage systems.
The day began with an introduction from Regional Manager Ian Major, who presented a series of real-world case studies and video footage highlighting fires involving lithium-ion batteries. Examples included incidents linked to improperly disposed waste, e-bikes, and e-scooters, illustrating the diverse risks posed by these technologies.
Fire and explosions expert Lucy Pinkard followed with a detailed forensic overview of lithium-ion batteries, explaining both their advantages and inherent hazards. While their high energy density drives widespread adoption, she outlined how faults such as separator failure can lead to short circuits and thermal runaway. Delegates were guided through battery construction, common cell types, and the progression of failure events, from self-heating and pressure build-up to venting, ignition, and fire spread. She also highlighted key causes of failure, including manufacturing defects, mechanical damage, poor design, and unsafe user practices, noting that incidents most frequently occur during charging. A case study involving an e-scooter fire demonstrated how incompatible charging equipment and aftermarket modifications can significantly increase risk.
Fire and chemistry expert Paul Willis provided an accessible introduction to lithium-ion battery chemistry, covering common cell types including lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC). He explained how lithium ions are stored within materials rather than as pure metal, and discussed degradation processes such as dendrite formation. His session also addressed the hazardous by-products generated during battery failure, including flammable and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and hydrogen fluoride, as well as harmful residues, emphasising the importance of appropriate safety measures during fire investigation.
The focus then shifted to large-scale applications, with Electrical Engineer Jack Holderness presenting on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). He outlined their increasing role in enabling renewable energy integration and supporting net zero targets by storing and redistributing electricity to meet demand. While highlighting their benefits, he also explored associated challenges, including system reliability, operational faults, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Case studies demonstrated how issues such as inadequate monitoring or suppression systems can lead to fire, explosion, or contamination, particularly as adoption accelerates across grid-scale, industrial and domestic settings.
Overall, the event provided Crawfords attendees with a comprehensive overview of lithium-ion battery risks, from fundamental principles through to complex energy storage applications. It reinforced the importance of understanding rapidly evolving technologies and their implications for fire investigation and safety.
Hawkins looks forward to hosting further collaborative events, bringing together industry expertise and clients to explore the challenges shaping the future of forensic investigation.