Storage Containers for Lithium-Ion Batteries — the SafetyBATTbox products from LogBATT
Building on the successful SafetyBATTboxes as transport crates, we responded to strong demand and developed a solution for the storage and quarantine area with all the safety features of the proven transport systems.
XL Storage
L-Storage
M-Storage
Safe storage solutions for damaged and defective lithium batteries
With the SafetyBATTboxes, LogBATT offers solutions for the quarantine storage, buffer storage, evacuation and safe long-term storage of lithium batteries. Depending on the phase of use, the containers are also referred to as a storage box, quarantine box, emergency box or evacuation container — all terms describe the same type of container in different situations of use.
Our storage solutions are suitable for:
- damaged or defective lithium batteries that must be safely stored on an interim basis before removal
- critically defective batteries with a thermal-runaway risk that require immediate isolation from the rest of the storage area
- quarantine storage after workshop incidents or damage events, until removal is arranged
- buffer storage before recycling or before further processing
- outdoor storage in works yards, recycling facilities and service sites
- industry, logistics, workshops, automotive operations and waste-disposal companies
Storage containers — now also available for hire!
From now on you benefit from even more flexibility: our proven SafetyBATTbox Storage family for the safe storage of lithium-ion batteries – whether non-defective, defective or critically defective – can not only be purchased but also hired. This gives you an economical solution for changing needs, time-limited projects or short-term requirements.
Regulatory framework for the storage of lithium batteries
In the UK there is no single, dedicated regulation for the storage of lithium-ion batteries. Instead, a combination of health-and-safety law, fire-safety law and insurer requirements applies, which – depending on the battery’s condition, the quantity stored and the location – determines the specific protective measures. LogBATT designs its containers to this UK and European framework and, in addition, to the internationally recognised technical references (VdS 3103 / BS EN 14470-1) that UK insurers also draw on.
Damaged, defective or critically unstable lithium batteries and lithium cells assigned to the UN numbers
- UN 3090 – Lithium metal batteries
- UN 3091 – Lithium metal batteries contained in or packed with equipment
- UN 3480 – Lithium-ion batteries
- UN 3481 – Lithium-ion batteries contained in or packed with equipment
pose, even at rest, a considerable risk of fire, explosion and the release of toxic gases. Unlike transport, where a clearly defined period lies between packaging and destination, lithium batteries in storage often have to be monitored over days, weeks or months — which markedly increases the probability of a delayed thermal-runaway event.
For the storage of damaged or defective lithium batteries, the following bodies of law are relevant in the UK (with European reference standards):
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, COSHH 2002 and DSEAR 2002 — the general framework for handling hazardous substances and dangerous substances in the workplace; requires a risk assessment before any storage
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) — requires the “responsible person” to carry out and maintain a fire risk assessment; governs structural and technical fire protection of the storage area (compartmentation, detection, suppression, ventilation)
- Insurer requirements and FPA / RISCAuthority guidance — UK insurers typically require tested safety cabinets or containers (for example to VdS 3103 / BS EN 14470-1) and may decline fire cover in their absence; a key basis for insurability
- Class 9 dangerous goods under ADR — the classification to which all lithium batteries are subject; it remains relevant in storage too, because labelling and documentation requirements derive from it. As waste, damaged lithium batteries are assessed under the Environment Agency’s WM3 guidance and coded EWC 16 06 05
- BAM-tested and UN-certified storage containers — a central requirement of the protection concept; their design-type approval is recognised in Great Britain through the mutual recognition between ADR contracting parties
Unlike transport, there are no uniformly defined packing instructions such as P908 or P911 for storage. Instead, the individual risk assessment of the operation (under the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and DSEAR) decides which protective measures are required. In addition, structural and technical fire protection of the storage room applies under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order — smoke detectors, suppression systems and ventilation — together with documentation of the storage concept.
Thermal runaway in storage: the delayed risk
Lithium battery cells tend, even with minor mechanical damage, ageing, overcharging or improper charging, to undergo a thermal reaction, known in technical terms as thermal runaway. This involves an uncontrolled exothermic reaction that generates a large quantity of smoke gas and in which the pressure inside the cell can rise so sharply that an explosion and, subsequently, a violent fire can occur.
Damaged lithium batteries can react thermally even at rest — sometimes with a delay of hours, days or even weeks after the original damage event. A battery that appears stable immediately after an accident or fall can become a hazard through a slowly spreading internal short circuit. This makes storage in an unsecured area particularly dangerous, because in the event of damage intervention is often only possible once the reaction has already begun.
The risk is compounded by the storage context itself. A battery usually consists of many individual cells, and a fire in one cell can spread to neighbouring cells — known as thermal propagation. In a storage area where several batteries are kept together, there is the additional threat of fire spreading from one battery to the others. A local cell event can thus turn into a full warehouse fire within a short time.
Typical triggers for delayed thermal-runaway events in storage are swollen batteries from workshop collections, crashed traction batteries from electric vehicles, returns from recall campaigns or prototype batteries from development whose behaviour is not yet fully characterised. In all these cases, isolated storage in a tested safety container is the only reliable protective measure.
SafetyBATTbox storage containers: safety solutions for the long-term storage of defective lithium batteries
The SafetyBATTbox products from LogBATT were developed specifically for the requirements of the long-term storage of damaged, defective and critically defective lithium-ion batteries. Unlike pure transport packaging, which is designed for a limited period of use, the storage containers are built for continuous storage over weeks or months — robust, weatherproof and compatible with common storage infrastructures.
The BAM-tested containers protect people and the environment even when a stored battery reacts thermally. The robust construction of steel with a stainless-steel inner tray provides mechanical protection against projectiles and flames during an event. The integrated gas management system ensures controlled pressure relief and filtering of the smoke gases. The thermal insulation keeps the outer-surface temperature within a controlled range during a battery fire and prevents fire spreading to neighbouring containers or stored goods.
Inside the container, LogBAGs — reusable fire-protection cushions made of tested non-combustible material in accordance with DIN 4102 — fix the stored batteries in place and absorb escaping liquids such as electrolyte or coolant. Unlike loose fire-protection bulk fill, LogBAGs can be removed, inspected and reused after use, which is especially practical for storage involving frequent access or repacking.
The particular advantage of the SafetyBATTbox XL Storage from LogBATT lies in its practical front loading. This means that even heavy or large lithium batteries can be pushed in directly with a pallet truck or forklift quickly, safely and ergonomically – without laborious lifting from above. This saves time, reduces the risk when handling defective or critically defective lithium batteries and enables much more efficient use in the storage, quarantine and evacuation area. Combined with the successfully passed real fire tests, thermal insulation and integrated gas management, the SafetyBATTbox XL Storage offers maximum safety for modern lithium-battery logistics.
Areas of application of the SafetyBATTbox storage containers
They cover storage scenarios for damaged and critically defective lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion cells. Typical use cases:
- Quarantine storage of defective batteries after a workshop incident, a customer return or a damage event, until compliant removal is arranged
- Buffer storage before recycling or further processing, especially with large quantities from recall campaigns
- Outdoor installation in works yards, recycling sites or in front of workshop buildings — the storage containers are weatherproof and can move the fire risk away from the building
- Storage of prototype batteries from development whose behaviour under load is not yet fully characterised
- Fire-safe keeping of reserve batteries in energy-storage installations, standby-power systems or UPS installations
SafetyBATTbox Storage family
Usable as a storage, quarantine and evacuation container
- Emergency container for the storage of small to large lithium-ion batteries
- Thermal insulation – extinguishing without water
- Smoke-gas routing and filter system
- Collection of liquids such as electrolyte or cooling water using absorbent material
- Stackable 1+1
- Front or top loading
- Modular use
- Additional options: + partition walls + roller conveyor or grating inside + movable with castors, pallet truck or forklift (empty only) + sensor monitoring + maintenance-free
Advantages of the LogBATT Storage family
- Usable for cells and modules up to large PHEV and BEV high-voltage storage systems
- Fire and projectiles stay inside the box¹
- No extinguishing water required
- Usable without an extinguishing-water retention device
- Flexible use in production, workshops, retail, public authorities, institutes, etc.
- Divisible (applies to the XL box only)
- Operable by one person
¹ On the tested versions with additional packaging material
Product overview: the SafetyBATTbox storage containers compared
Products
SafetyBATTbox XL Storage
- Stationary large-scale solution for the safe storage of large high-voltage batteries and complete EV battery packs, with a battery weight of up to 1,050 kg
- Housing of stainless steel, galvanised and powder-coated steel; stainless-steel inner tray
- Gas management system; stackable 1+1; no extinguishing water required
- Usable as a storage, quarantine and evacuation container
- Dimensions:
- 3,196 x 2,298 x 1,237 mm (external)
- 2,976 x 2,039 x 757.5 mm (internal)
- Tare weight approx. 1,150 kg
SafetyBATTbox L Storage
- Universal storage solution for passenger-car modules, e-bike batteries and industrial lithium batteries, with a battery weight of up to 350 kg
- Housing of anodised aluminium, stainless steel and galvanised steel
- Gas management system; stackable 1+1; no extinguishing water required
- Usable as a storage, quarantine and evacuation container
- Dimensions:
- 1,604 x 1,204 x 945 mm (external)
- 1,390 x 993 x 519 mm (internal)
- Tare weight approx. 295 kg
SafetyBATTbox M Storage
- Compact stationary storage solution for small cell units and multiple batteries, with a battery weight of up to 80 kg; movable without a forklift thanks to its low tare weight
- Galvanised steel housing
- Gas management system; stackable 1+1; no extinguishing water required
- Usable as a storage, quarantine and evacuation container
- Dimensions:
- 1,000 x 600 x 700 mm (external)
- 816 x 416 x 306 mm (internal)
- Tare weight approx. 85 kg
Technical data in detail
| SafetyBATTbox | XL Storage | L Storage | M Storage |
| External dimensions [mm] | 3,196 x 2,298 x 1,237 | 1,604 x 1,204 x 945 | 1,000 x 600 x 700 |
| Internal dimensions [mm] | 2,976 x 2,039 x 757.5 | 1,390 x 993 x 519 | 816 x 416 x 306 |
| Tare weight approx. [kg] | 1,150 | 295 | 85 |
| Housing | Stainless, galvanised, powder-coated steel | Anodised aluminium, stainless, galvanised steel | Galvanised steel |
| Gas management system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stackable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Battery weight up to [kg] | 1,050 | 350 | 80 |
Fire test with the Version 1 SBB XL Storage
Find out more about our emergency containers:
Phone: +49 7153 925080 | Email: info@logbatt.de
Simple and quick to operate in an emergency
- Smoke-gas filtering
- Thermal insulation
- Stackable
- Collecting tray with absorbent material
- Simple handling
- Front loading
- Optional accessories: partition wall and roller conveyor
SafetyBATTbox M Storage
M Storage details: simple handling thanks to dampers and quick-release fasteners, smoke-gas filtering, stackable, collecting tray with absorbent material for liquids. Optional accessories: trolley and LogBAGs.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about storage containers for lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion cells
Which legal requirements apply to the storage of lithium batteries in the UK?
In the UK there is no single, dedicated regulation for the storage of lithium batteries. The relevant requirements come from the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 together with COSHH 2002 and DSEAR 2002 (risk assessment), the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (fire risk assessment and fire protection of the storage area) and the requirements of insurers. The Class 9 classification under ADR also carries over into storage. The SafetyBATTbox Storage family is designed as a storage and quarantine container to minimise damage within this framework.
What do COSHH and DSEAR require for battery storage?
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002) and DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002) require operators to assess and control the risks from hazardous and dangerous substances in the workplace, including the fire and explosion risk from lithium batteries. This means a documented risk assessment, control measures and, where needed, tested fire-protection storage. Storage containers such as the SafetyBATTbox Storage support a compliant storage arrangement in tested fire-protection containers.
What role do insurers and fire-protection guidance play in lithium-battery storage?
In the UK, insurers play a decisive role: to assess the fire risk they often require certified cabinets or containers and may decline cover in their absence. As technical references, the FPA / RISCAuthority guidance and internationally recognised standards such as VdS 3103 (based on BS EN 14470-1) are used. The SafetyBATTbox Storage family is designed to meet these recommendations and to support insurability.
Do I need a fire risk assessment and protection concept for battery storage?
Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must carry out and maintain a suitable fire risk assessment; from a certain fire load or stored quantity a documented fire-protection concept is required, and insurers expect one too. It covers, among other things, compartmentation, the storage location, containers, extinguishing means, emergency plans and staff qualification. The SafetyBATTbox Storage family is designed as an integral part of such a concept — tested, documented and supported by advice from LogBATT.
Why do I need a special storage container for defective lithium batteries?
Defective batteries can react thermally even at rest — sometimes with a delay of hours or days after the damage event. A normal storage area offers neither thermal insulation nor smoke-gas routing and thus endangers the entire building. The SafetyBATTbox Storage keeps heat, flames, projectiles and liquids controlled inside the container in the event of damage and protects the surroundings.
What happens if a battery reacts inside the storage container?
If a battery reacts thermally inside the SafetyBATTbox Storage, the event is contained within the container: thermal insulation keeps the outer surface at a controlled temperature, a directed smoke-gas routing with filter system discharges toxic gases, collecting trays with absorbent material retain escaping liquids and the LogCOVER fire-protection blankets prevent fire spreading inside. The surrounding storage environment remains protected.
Which storage containers does LogBATT offer for lithium batteries?
The SafetyBATTbox Storage family comprises the XL Storage for large EV batteries and high-voltage storage systems, the L Storage for industrial modules and medium-sized battery packs, and the M Storage for smaller cell units and multiple batteries. Each model is designed to fit the UK fire-safety and health-and-safety framework as well as insurer requirements, and can optionally also be hired.
What is the capacity of the SafetyBATTbox Storage family?
The SafetyBATTbox XL Storage takes batteries of up to 1,050 kg — enough for complete EV battery packs. The L Storage is designed for modules of up to several hundred kg, and the M Storage for smaller cell groups. The exact internal dimensions and weights are given on the respective product page.
Which materials are used for LogBATT’s storage containers?
Depending on the model, LogBATT manufactures the storage containers from powder-coated steel (XL Storage) or galvanised steel (L Storage and M Storage). An inner tray of heat-resistant stainless steel provides heat protection in all the models mentioned. All materials are heat- and weather-resistant and approved for indoor and outdoor installation (under cover).
Are LogBATT’s storage containers stackable?
Yes, the SafetyBATTbox Storage family is designed to be stackable — which saves storage space when quarantine-storing several defective batteries. The stacking capability is part of the design-type approval and ensures full fire protection even when stacked. The maximum stacking height depends on the model.
Can I install LogBATT’s storage containers outdoors?
Yes, all material variants of the SafetyBATTbox Storage are weatherproof and approved for outdoor installation (under cover). They are therefore suitable for storage yards, recycling sites, works yards and parking spaces directly in front of production or workshop buildings. Outdoor installation also reduces the fire risk to adjoining buildings.
Are LogBATT’s storage containers also approved for transport?
No. The SafetyBATTbox Storage family is designed as a solution for storage. A defective battery must be transported in an ADR-compliant, UN-certified transport container — provided the respective packing instruction is met. The exact transport approval of the SafetyBATTbox transport variant is given on each product page. For the transport of lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion cells, LogBATT offers transport crates optimised and approved specifically for that purpose.
Can I buy or hire LogBATT’s storage containers?
Both options are possible. You can buy the SafetyBATTbox Storage directly — sensible for sites with a regular need such as recycling operations, workshop fleets or industrial production. For temporary needs such as recall campaigns or project phases, LogBATT also offers the storage containers for hire.
Which LogBATT storage containers are suitable for EV batteries?
For complete EV battery packs and large high-voltage storage systems, the SafetyBATTbox XL Storage is the right model — it takes batteries of up to 1,050 kg and is also designed for the quarantine storage of critically defective PHEV and BEV batteries. For individual EV battery modules, the SafetyBATTbox L Storage is a suitable alternative.