S Jones Containers to host battery safety revolution seminar at Fire Safety Event
Container conversion specialist S Jones Containers is to host a seminar discussion about safety regulations governing lithium-ion battery manufacturing - bringing together representatives from Electrical Safety First, the Fire Protection Association and Warwick Manufacturing Group at The Fire Safety Event on Wednesday 9th April.
The panel-style seminar will be hosted by Andrew Nicholls, Head of Conversions at S Jones Containers and will explore the urgent need for UK regulations on battery manufacture, storage, and testing, as electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries become ever more powerful. The seminar will demonstrate how appropriate safety regulations can propel sustainable innovation while safeguarding lives and assets.
Joining S Jones Containers on the panel will be Dr Simon Jones, Principal Engineer at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) who is responsible for the WMG Battery Safety Centre which provides an abuse test service to industrial partners and for WMG research. As both an academic department at the University of Warwick and a High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC), WMG plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of electric vehicle battery production in the UK through cutting-edge research and development. Simon has 30 years of industrial experience in high temperature materials and destructive testing in the construction, oil and gas, automotive and aerospace industries and has a particular interest in thermal runaway and propagation events.
Electrical Safety First is dedicated to reducing the number of injuries and deaths caused by electricity across the UK and is currently running a battery safety campaign to protect consumers from unsafe electrical products. Giuseppe Capanna, Product Safety Engineer at Electrical Safety First has played a key role in this campaign which aims to tackle the dangers from lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters and will join the expert panel discussion at the Fire Safety Event. Chris Miles, Commercial Director of the Fire Protection Association will also be bringing his expertise to the panel, highlighting the lack of knowledge in the market of the full risk considerations of working with, or storing lithium-ion batteries. As the UK’s leading fire safety organisation, the Fire Protection Association is committed to setting the highest industry standards for fire research and testing and publishes a wealth of fire safety and risk management guidance including on lithium-ion batteries.
Andrew Nicholls, Head of Conversions at S Jones Containers said: “Through our work over the last decade with pioneering organisations, it’s become evident that the current regulations don’t go far enough. Once a lithium-ion battery like those used in used in e-bikes and EVs enters thermal runaway, it can burn with intense heat for days so it’s crucial that they are stored and handled correctly to keep everyone safe. The risk is increased during intensive cycle testing and abuse testing, which is a critical part of investigating the integrity of new battery designs. Researchers like WMG are making new discoveries all the time to better understand how to harness the power of lithium-ion batteries and we’re proud to be able to support them with a safe space that will withstand extreme conditions to carry out vital testing safely.
“We want to do more to raise awareness and improve regulations and by joining forces with industry-leading organisations like Electrical Safety First and the Fire Protection Association, we’re hopeful we can make a difference in driving forward the next generation of battery technology in the UK safely.”
The three-day Fire Safety Event held at the NEC Birmingham in April is dedicated to supporting industry professionals and organisations in improving and maintaining the highest standards in fire safety management. Visitors are invited to meet the S Jones Containers Conversions Division team on stand 4/F106 throughout the event. The seminar hosted by S Jones Containers and titled Electric Revolution, Safety Evolution: Prioritising Battery Regulations, will be held on Wednesday 9th April from 10.15 to 10.45 in the Innovation and Compliance Theatre.
S Jones Conversions Division will also be hosting a seminar on the subject of battery safety and industry best practice at the Battery Cells & Systems Expo at the NEC in Birmingham on 9th July.
For more information about battery storage and testing solutions at S Jones Conversions, please visit: https://www.sjonescontainers.co.uk/container-conversions/plant-room/battery-storage/