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Safe Storage
of Lithium-ion Batteries

Safe Storage of
Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion Batteries: Guidance

Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly part of everyday warehouse operations - from laptops and power tools to e-bikes and materials handling equipment.

To help members navigate the practical considerations around storage and handling, UKWA has worked with UKMHA to publish complementary guidance notes, developed in response to member questions and drawing on practical experience, good practice and relevant standards to support safer warehouse operations.

Which guidance note is relevant to you?

Two notes are available, depending on the types of lithium‑ion batteries you handle on site. You can download both guidance notes using the links below.

Safe Storage of Small Lithium-ion Batteries: Guidance for Operators

For general warehouse storage of smaller batteries, such as power tools, laptops, e-bikes and consumer electronics.

What the UKWA guidance covers

The UKWA note provides a suggested baseline for the safe storage and handling of smaller lithium-ion batteries in general warehouse environments.

It covers practical considerations including:

  • receipt and inspection
  • segregation and labelling
  • returned, damaged and waste batteries
  • charging
  • emergency response
  • records, training and insurer engagement

 

The guidance does not cover EV battery packs, industrial traction batteries or energy storage systems. For traction batteries used in materials handling equipment, please refer to the UKMHA Guidance Note.

Download the UKWA Guidance
Storage of Lithium-ion Traction Batteries

For sites storing or charging lithium-ion traction batteries used in materials handling equipment (MHE).

What the UKMHA guidance covers

The UKMHA note provides general precautions for the safe storage of lithium‑ion traction batteries used in MHE. 

It covers practical considerations including:

  • storage environment requirements
  • preparation for storage
  • state‑of‑charge control and periodic checks to prevent over‑discharge
  • stock control, inspection intervals and management of ageing batteries
  • layout and segregation
  • fire protection and detection
  • monitoring and inspection regimes and  escalation procedures
  • management of faulty or high‑risk batteries

 

Manufacturer instructions, site fire risk assessments and insurer requirements should always take precedence over this guidance.

Download the UKMHA Guidance
Before you use the Guidance Notes

These notes are intended as industry guidance only. They are not legal or professional advice and do not replace applicable legislation, your site fire risk assessment, manufacturer instructions or your insurer’s requirements. Following the guidance does not guarantee compliance or prevent incidents.

We recommend that operators:

  1. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for storage and charging. Where these differ from the guidance, the manufacturer’s instructions should take precedence.
  2. Review your site fire risk assessment and consider whether any changes to battery storage or charging arrangements require further assessment.
  3. Speak to your insurer before increasing battery volumes or changing how batteries are stored or charged.
Questions and feedback

This guidance has been developed to support members with the practical questions they face on site.

If there is something you are seeing in your operation that the guidance does not address, we would welcome your feedback. Your questions can help inform future guidance and resources from UKWA.

Please contact:

UKWA guidance:
enquiries@ukwa.org.uk

UKMHA guidance:
info@ukmha.org.uk