EHS International, a company based in Cork, opened a €3 million research and training centre focussed on fire safety on Monday, with the intention to tackle escalating issues associated with lithium-ion batteries. Covering a space of 11,000 sq ft, the facility will offer a range of advanced safety and fire courses, featuring training for firefighter robots to handle an array of intricate fire-related safety matters.
The issue of lithium-ion battery safety takes precedence as the usage of these batteries in e-scooters led to their ban from public transport due to the associated fire hazards. As the popularity of e-scooters and e-bikes surges, the risk of fires from faulty lithium-ion batteries rises accordingly, remarked Chris Mee, the company’s founder and CEO. He commented on the sharp global increase of these fires, with a 46% rise in the UK alone from 2022 to 2023, leading to numerous deaths, injuries, and potential long-term health implications from inhaling harmful fumes.
The firm aspires to be a pioneer within the EU in researching, testing, and devising innovative and viable market solutions for the safe handling, storage, and transportation of lithium-ion battery cells across various industries. To attain this aim, the company plans to significantly invest in research and development, with its team already strategising innovative solutions involving technology, AI, and robotics.
Founded by Mr Mee in the earlier part of the last year, EHS has swiftly grown, thanks in part to several acquisitions, specialising in fire safety training and consultancy. The company reports that the innovative facility, located at Little Island, will encompass a variety of immersive training resources, including a synthetic smoke system and an adaptable training and search space.
There has been an increased focus on fire safety concerning lithium-ion batteries in the last few years. Although there have been few cases in Ireland, said batteries have allegedly caused a total of 104 fires within building structures in New York City in the period up to September 30th, and nearly double this figure if instances such as refuse-truck fires are taken into account. Despite a decrease from 14 fatalities in the same period the previous year to three, facilitated by widespread safety awareness drives, these devices present a significant risk due to the intense heat they can generate, which poses unique challenges for firefighters.
On Monday, Ireland’s transport authority announced a prohibition on these devices on public transport due to their propensity to develop internal malfunctions that can result in elevated temperatures and ignition. This follows reports of recent fires and heavy black smoke incidents on public transport in Madrid and Barcelona, claimed to be due to lithium-ion batteries.