Energy storage

Safe battery installation

Batteries for renewable energy storage

Overview

This page shares findings and resources to help manage the hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries installed in community spaces for renewable energy storage.

Funding for this piece of work was provided by The National Lottery Community Fund through the Community Spaces Partnership programme in Northumberland, Durham and Cumbria. It involved:

  1. An evidence review
  2. Roundtables with experts and local stakeholders.
Find out more about the Community Spaces Partnership
Solar panel installations

Evidence review

We carried out a review of:

  • Academic literature about battery chemistry, hazards, and risk management approaches
  • Regulations and government advice about batteries in the UK
  • Publicly available specifications and standards
  • International advice documents.

The evidence suggests that lithium-ion batteries for energy storage offer potential economic advantages, and their use in rural places can support community resilience to changing costs, weather-related emergencies, and power outages.

There is a lack of regulation around the safe installation of lithium-ion batteries for energy storage in community spaces, but there are some useful guidance documents, such as PAS63100 Protection Against Fire of Battery Energy Storage Systems.

We also found that battery energy storage systems have a number of inherent risks that can usually be managed, but may make them unsuitable for some community spaces. In addition, more research and technological development is needed to ensure second-life batteries, like recycled car batteries, are suitable for use in buildings.

Read the review to find out more.

Download the evidence review Read PAS63100 Protection Against Fire of Battery Energy Storage Systems

Risks in rural communities

Lithium-ion batteries are installed in a variety of rural community spaces, such as village halls. They are also installed on a more industrial scale with battery storage sites near rural towns and villages.

Several factors contribute to the risks associated with the installation of lithium-ion batteries in rural areas, particularly those related to the size, structural condition, and location of the buildings involved.

Although most rural places are reasonably well-connected with phone signal and/or digital connectivity, some remote areas are not. Rural villages also tend to have longer emergency response times in the event of a fire.

Moreover, a significant number of rural community buildings are older and may be constructed from combustible materials such as wood, increasing the likelihood of rapid fire spread.

Another important consideration is that many village hall users are not trained in battery safety and may be unaware of the risks posed by poor insulation, improper ventilation, or the use of battery storage areas for unrelated purposes.

These factors outline a potential need for targeted safety education, clear signage, and appropriate risk management measures in rural battery installations.

Find out more about fire risk assessment

From the roundtables

Resources

The roundtables, held in the Catalyst building in Newcastle, brought together 15 experts from the fire service, the combined authority, battery installers, NCEL, Community Action Northumberland, Durham Community Action, rural community spaces and the research community.

The event explored the gaps in existing regulation and evidence. Participants worked together to develop resources for community spaces that are considering installing batteries to store renewable energy. The resources recommend a precautionary approach and early contact with the local fire service before installing batteries.

Download the resources below.

Good practice guidelines

This guideline sheet should be used to inform the safe use of electrical energy battery storage systems in rural energy production, specifically lithium-ion battery installations. The document considers five stages: sourcing, installation, operation, maintenance, and end of life.

Download the good practice guidelines

Risk management flowchart

This visual summarises good practice around:

  • Battery specification
  • Installation
  • Safety and detection measures
  • Maintenance.
Download the visual

Further resources for village halls

In January 2026, Dr Freya Wise, in collaboration with ACTion with Communities in Cumbria and several experts, produced an introductory guide to battery storage for village halls.

The guide introduces different types of batteries, smart meters, energy management platforms, potential capital and operational costs, and safety considerations for installing batteries in village halls.

The guide was produced as part of a fellowship funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. Grant reference: ES/Z504099/1.

Read the guide here
Battery Guide For Village Halls

Fiona Knox, Northumberland Community Energy Limited (NCEL) Project Manager said:

“The process of collaboratively producing Good Guidelines, based on current recommendations for safe battery installation,  has been invaluable by bringing together those who have an interest and responsibility for the safety of community buildings and their communities.   The agreed guidelines have been shared with community representatives of past and future community buildings and are steering any retrofit work and future installations by Northumberland Community Energy Limited (NCEL). The Good Guidelines provide confidence for NCEL in the delivery of their Solar-Powered Building project  and supports the wider project work of CAN's Energy Team.”

Considering installing batteries?

Key questions

Explore some of the frequently asked questions about installing batteries in community spaces such as village halls.

Prior to installation, discuss your plans with:

  • Your funder
  • Your insurer
  • The local fire service
  • Local installers.

Specialists are also available to assess energy needs and advise on battery storage. Contact your local ACRE member organisation for advice.

Before installation, ask your installer the following: 

  • Are you MCS certified? This ensures the installer meets quality and safety standards
  • What battery model do you recommend, and why? Your choice should balance safety, cost, and take into account what is feasible in your space to meet your energy needs
  • Will the battery installation be assessed for fire safety by the local fire service? 
  • Have you considered waterproofing, elevation, and appropriate enclosure materials? 
  • Is the system designed with proper signage, ventilation, and detection systems? 
  • Will you provide a full Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and share plans with the local fire department? 

Find an MCS certified installer here.

Insurance providers may: 

  • Require evidence of a fire risk assessment
  • Ask for documentation such as the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
  • Request proof of MCS-certified installation and regular maintenance schedules
  • Require information on the battery’s installation location (indoor or outdoor) and whether detection systems and fire barriers are in place. 

Discuss battery installation plans with your insurer early to ensure compliance and coverage. 

Outdoor installation is the safest option and should be prioritised. 

  • Use an outbuilding that is constructed using a fire-resistant material (e.g., stone or metal) and located away from flammable materials
  • Include proper signage, weatherproofing, and fire protection (e.g., 2-hour fire barriers if less than 20ft from public areas)
  • Avoid storing equipment or other non-battery goods in the same space as the batteries.

Indoor installation is possible with additional safety measures: 

  • Installation is unsafe in lofts, boiler rooms, kitchens, rooms used for sleeping and rooms with single access points
  • Use fire compartmentation, ventilation to an outdoor source, and fire-resistant cabinets (30 minutes minimum). 

A thorough fire risk assessment includes: 

  • Identifying and listing the fire hazards
  • Evaluation of the building layout and battery location
  • Assessment of ventilation, compartmentation, and proximity to exits
  • Review of materials used for battery enclosures and signage compliance
  • Identifying and listing the fire risk control measures in place
  • Verification of detection systems and emergency plans
  • Identifying the different groups of people who are at risk
  • Health, safety and means of escape.

This ensures your setup meets key safety standards and helps reduce insurance and operational risks. Inspection by the local fire service may be required.

Find out more here.

Key risks of batteries include: 

  • Fire or explosion from thermal runaway, caused by improper installation or a fault
  • Release of gas and harmful chemicals during malfunction (off-gassing) 
  • Electrical shock if batteries are not enclosed or maintained properly
  • Flooding or water damage if not elevated and waterproofed
  • Increased risk of damage or theft without secure housing, especially outdoors. 

Risks can be mitigated by safe installation, proper use of monitoring systems, and regular maintenance.

Batteries are suitable for most community spaces, as long as their risks can be appropriately managed. It depends whether: 

  • You have sought professional advice from ACRE, the fire service if needed, and your installer, and an installation is recommended
  • You have excess energy to store from renewables and/or have a clear need for a reduced energy costs
  • Your building is subject to unreliable grid power, or acts as an emergency shelter during a storm, during which battery power may be needed
  • There is enough outdoor space for secure installation, or indoor space with the proper safeguards.
  • Your community can commit to regular inspections, education, and fire preparedness
  • A balance between safety, cost, and feasibility is properly assessed and maintained - is a high-specification battery and safe installation within your budget?

A thorough fire risk assessment of the community space should be carried out prior to installation.

Recommended plans, procedures and documentation are:

  • A fire risk assessment prior to installation, which is reviewed regularly
  • A health and safety policy that includes battery-related aspects
  • Regular fire safety checks
  • A full Safety Data Sheet (SDS) detailing system specs, shutdown procedure, and contact information
  • An emergency plan with marked exits, meeting points, and fire service contacts
  • Regular checks of installer and project leader access to fault codes and real-time voltage monitoring
  • Carry out an inspection twice per year to assess battery performance and safety, educate users, and check that usage remains as intended
  • A full electrical system check every two years, including data downloads and lifespan analysis. 

If your question relates to your battery's performance, installation, or usage, contact your installer in the first instance. 

If your query is about battery risks and safety, please reach out to your local fire service.

For questions about Northumberland Community Energy Ltd, Durham Energy Alliance Ltd, or the CAIRN or Community Spaces Partnership projects, please contact Andy Dean. 

To add a question to this page, please contact us at nicre@newcastle.ac.uk

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