Work

Device-Specific Fire Risk Analysis of Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents: Engineering Implications for Detection and Protection Systems

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Lithium-ion battery fires present increasing safety engineering challenges, with U.S. incident rates rising 86% between 2020 and 2023, particularly in micromobility devices and urban environments. We analyzed 148 lithium-ion battery fire incidents documented through the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s specialized checklist program, employing logistic regression for charging-related risks, spatial clustering for geographic patterns, and time-series analysis for temporal trends. Consumer electronics showed significantly lower odds of charging-related fires ( OR = 0.125–0.148, p < 0.05), while micromobility devices had the highest injury rate ( IRR = 2.98, 95% CI: 0.837–10.615). Charging was involved in 40.5% of cases, and online purchases were associated with greater risk ( OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.23–2.84, p = 0.003). Significant urban clustering was observed (Moran’s I = 0.28, p = 0.003) with three metropolitan hotspots. Device-specific risk profiles demonstrate the effectiveness of existing consumer electronics safety standards and highlight critical intervention points for emerging high-risk devices, particularly in dense urban areas where targeted protection strategies are most needed.

Source: Fire Technology

DOI: 10.1007/s10694-026-01876-5

Authors: Matthew Bucala, Dac Nguyen, Holli Knight, Adam Barowy

Institution: University of Michigan

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Battery Technologies Research

Subfield: Automotive Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,190