Battery FirebreakBattery fire-safety reference

Reference · Updated 15 November 2026

Thermal-runaway barriers and battery fire safety

Material properties, test standards and design guidance for engineers working on lithium-ion packs and energy storage systems. Every figure is linked to its source, and nothing on the site is paid placement.

A failing cell, a thermal barrier and a neighbouring cell. Heat flux is reduced across the barrier.FAILING CELLBARRIERNEIGHBOUR
Heat from a cell in thermal runaway is slowed by the barrier so the neighbouring cell stays below its own onset temperature.

Regulatory timeline

  1. IEC 62619 edition 2.0 published, with a propagation test for industrial lithium battery systems (clause 7.3.3)
  2. UL 9540A 5th edition released
  3. UL 9540A 6th edition published, adding large-scale fire testing
  4. GB 38031-2025 published, replacing GB 38031-2020
  5. GB 38031-2025 applies to new EV type approvals in China
  6. Reported deadline for existing approved EV types to meet GB 38031-2025

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