Understanding TAN-09: What Australia’s Guidance on Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Really Says

Lithium-ion batteries are now everywhere, powering everything from handheld devices to energy storage systems and electric vehicles. As their use has increased, so too have lithium-ion battery fire incidents and, alongside them, a growing number of products claiming to provide a solution.

To address ongoing confusion in the market, Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) has released an updated Technical Advisory Note, TAN-09 Version 3, which clarifies how portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets relate to lithium-ion battery fire risks under the current Australian regulatory framework.

Why TAN-09 Was Updated

Discussion around lithium-ion battery fires is not unique to Australia. Globally, there is increasing concern about how these fires behave and how they should be managed. However, at present, there is no Australian Standard for portable fire extinguishers specifically addressing lithium-ion battery fire risks. The same gap exists in other major jurisdictions, including the United States.

Importantly, neither NFPA nor UL currently provides a recognised approval or certification framework for portable fire extinguishers designed for lithium-ion battery fires. Australian testing and compliance requirements for extinguishers are historically aligned with NFPA and UL-based performance frameworks, not European EN or British BS standards. As a result, test data or claims based on those overseas systems are not directly applicable within the Australian compliance framework.

What TAN-09 Clarifies

TAN-09 addresses this gap by clearly outlining how lithium-ion battery fires should be understood in a regulatory context, particularly in relation to portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

Key points include:

• No recognised Australian Standard currently exists for portable fire extinguishers or fire blankets designed specifically for lithium-ion battery fires
• Under Australian electrical standards, lithium-ion batteries and battery storage systems are classified as energised electrical equipment
• As a result, only Class E–rated fire extinguishers, which are non-conductive, are suitable for use from an operator safety perspective
• The Class E rating relates to electrical safety, not extinguishing performance, and TAN-09 does not recommend any portable fire extinguisher for lithium ion battery fires
• Overseas testing, in-house trials and non-standard performance claims do not meet Australian compliance or ACCC mandatory standard requirements
• No portable fire extinguisher in Australia currently holds an approved test rating specifically for lithium-ion battery fires

Understanding the Limitations

TAN-09 also reinforces the limitations of portable fire extinguishers. In many lithium-ion fire scenarios, including electric vehicle fires involving thermal runaway, a portable extinguisher will not extinguish the fire and may not be appropriate to use.

The advisory note is deliberately limited in scope. It focuses only on portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets and does not attempt to address broader firefighting strategies, system-level protections or emergency response approaches.

What Happens Next

Work is currently underway through Standards Australia to develop a dedicated standard and appropriate test protocols for lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers. This process is complex and must carefully consider performance, repeatability, safety and real-world application.

Crucially, the existence of a standards development project does not mean that existing products, overseas test results or unapproved claims suddenly become compliant. As TAN-09 makes clear, the presence of a recognised risk does not automatically mean a compliant solution exists.

A Reminder for Industry and End Users

TAN-09 Version 3 serves as an important reminder that marketing claims should never replace standards-based guidance. Until a recognised Australian standard and approved test framework exists, caution, clarity and compliance remain essential when managing lithium-ion battery fire risks.

???? You can read the updated TAN-09 on the FPA Australia website: https://fpaa.au/tan-09