Australian garages and workshops have become battery storage hubs, with power tools, e-bikes, lawn equipment and portable chargers often sharing the same space. This concentration of lithium batteries, combined with typical workshop hazards like timber, solvents and rags, creates a specific fire risk worth understanding.
This page covers what makes the workshop and garage environment higher risk, how to store and charge batteries safely in shared spaces, and how to respond if something goes wrong.
For a broader overview of lithium battery fire safety, see our Lithium Battery Fire Safety Guide.
How Lithium Battery Fires Start in Workshops and Garages
Most workshop battery fires are triggered by thermal runaway — the same internal chain reaction that affects all lithium-ion batteries. Common triggers in workshop environments include:
- Charging unattended overnight — a faulty charger or degraded battery can exceed safe limits without anyone present to respond
- Heat-stressed batteries — a metal shed in summer can expose stored batteries to temperatures that cause internal stress before charging even begins
- A damaged battery not identified before charging — impact or drop damage may not be externally visible but can cause internal short circuits
- One failure spreading to adjacent packs — batteries stored together without separation can transfer heat from a failing pack to neighbouring ones
- Old or degraded batteries — batteries that have been through many charge cycles have reduced tolerance for heat and charging stress
Safe Charging in a Workshop or Garage
A few simple habits significantly reduce the risk of a battery fire during charging:
- Avoid charging multiple batteries overnight unattended — charge during the day when you are present and can respond early if something goes wrong
- Use only manufacturer-approved chargers — always use the charger designed for the specific battery platform and brand
- Allow batteries to cool before charging — do not charge a battery immediately after heavy use or after it has been in a hot vehicle or shed
- Charge on hard, non-flammable surfaces — keep chargers away from timber benches covered in sawdust, rags, solvents or any other flammable material
- Inspect before charging — do not charge any battery that is cracked, swollen, wet or has been dropped from height
- Avoid fast-charging degraded packs — older batteries with many charge cycles are more vulnerable to heat stress during rapid charging
- Portable chargers and power banks stored or used in the workshop should follow the same principles — charge on a hard non-flammable surface, use the correct cable and adaptor, and avoid leaving them unattended for extended periods. Do not charge a power bank that is swollen, hot, wet or damaged. Do not place lithium batteries or power banks in general waste or household recycling. For undamaged used batteries, check B-cycle or your local council for battery recycling options. For swollen, damaged or leaking batteries, follow local council, emergency service or accredited battery collector guidance before transporting or disposing of them.
Safe Battery Storage in a Workshop or Garage
How you organise battery storage in a shared workshop environment matters:
- Keep batteries separated. Do not stack packs directly on top of each other.
- Store in original cases or purpose-built battery organisers to maintain separation and protect against impact
- Keep a clear zone around your battery storage area and avoid storing flammable materials immediately adjacent to battery packs
- Ensure adequate ventilation in the storage area — enclosed metal sheds that trap heat in summer can push batteries above safe storage temperatures
- Do not leave batteries in a hot vehicle — retrieve and store them in a cooler location as soon as possible after transport
- Inspect packs regularly for swelling, cracks or corrosion — remove any damaged packs from storage immediately
- Dispose of old or damaged batteries correctly at a designated battery recycling point. Do not place them in general waste or leave them stored indefinitely.
What to Do If a Battery Fire Starts in Your Workshop or Garage
Always call 000 immediately for any significant fire. Follow emergency services guidance at all times.
For early-stage incidents where it is safe to intervene:
- Do not use dry powder (ABE) as a first choice — it does not address the ongoing heat source and leaves heavy residue across tools and equipment
- Apply a purpose-built lithium suppression agent directly to the battery surface to help cool and suppress the incident
- Do not attempt to move a burning battery pack — disturbing a burning lithium battery can cause unpredictable reactions
- Evacuate the area and avoid inhaling smoke or gases. Battery fires produce toxic fumes.
- If the battery is on charge when the incident starts, disconnect power at the wall if it is safe to do so
- Even after apparent suppression, monitor the battery — lithium batteries can reignite after the initial incident
- If the workshop or garage is attached to your home, close internal doors and evacuate the dwelling as a precaution
Choosing a Fire Extinguisher for Workshop and Garage Battery Fires
Standard ABE dry powder extinguishers can knock down visible flame but are not designed to address the ongoing heat source in a lithium battery fire, and leave heavy powder residue across tools and equipment.
BSA extinguishers use BSA900™, a water-based suppression agent designed to:
- Help cool and reduce battery surface temperature
- Cling to surfaces for extended cooling contact
- Help suppress flame and reduce oxygen exposure
Recommended sizes for workshop and garage environments:
4L
Suited to home garages and sheds storing a moderate number of battery packs across one or two platforms
9L
Suited to larger workshop environments with multiple battery platforms, high pack volumes or larger capacity batteries such as e-bike packs
For workshops where both power tools and e-bikes are stored or charged, a 9L unit provides up to 50 seconds of discharge time for larger combined battery areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I store batteries from different brands and platforms together?
Keep packs physically separated. Do not stack them directly on top of each other. Use original cases or purpose-built battery organisers and maintain a clear zone around your storage area, away from flammable materials. A failure in one pack can transfer heat to adjacent ones, so separation matters.
Is it safe to charge batteries in a metal shed?
You can charge in a metal shed, but heat management is important. Metal sheds can reach extreme temperatures in summer, which increases thermal stress on batteries. Ensure the area is ventilated, avoid charging during peak heat periods, and never leave batteries charging unattended overnight.
What size extinguisher do I need for a workshop?
For a home garage or shed with a moderate number of battery packs, a 4L BSA extinguisher is a practical starting point. For larger workshops with multiple battery platforms, particularly where e-bike packs are also stored, a 9L unit provides greater suppression capacity. View the full range to compare options.
Do I need more than one extinguisher?
In a larger workshop with distinct charging and storage zones, having an extinguisher in each zone means you always have one within reach of where a fire is most likely to start. For most home garages, a single appropriately sized unit positioned near the charging area is sufficient.
Battery Safe Australia was founded to bring purpose-built lithium fire protection into everyday Australian homes and workplaces.
View BSA Lithium Fire Extinguishers →