The Palband Blog
Understanding Fire Suppression Granules: A Safer Way to Manage Battery Risks
Lithium-ion battery fires have become one of the most difficult risks for warehouses, fulfilment centres, and logistics operators to control. As storage volumes rise and transporting batteries becomes routine, many businesses are now looking for safer, faster and more predictable ways to contain thermal runaway incidents. One of the most effective tools available today is the use of fire suppression granules, which provide an immediate barrier against heat, flame and re-ignition.
Summary
Fire suppression granules smother heat, restrict oxygen and help contain lithium-ion battery fires before they escalate. They are designed for warehouses, logistics teams and any operators storing or transporting batteries. Their lightweight, fast-acting nature makes them a practical addition to modern fire response plans.
Why You Can Trust Us
Palband works closely with logistics teams managing high-risk storage and movement of battery-powered goods. Our advice draws from real operational challenges, HSE guidance and practical product knowledge. We provide solutions designed to improve fire readiness without slowing warehouse workflows.
What Are Fire Suppression Granules?
Many operators ask the same question: what are fire suppression granules? At their simplest, they are specially engineered mineral granules that rapidly cool, smother and isolate a lithium-ion battery fire. Unlike water or traditional extinguishers, granules remain stable under extreme heat and can be poured directly over burning or overheating batteries without creating additional hazards.
Granules are used to contain thermal runaway, a chain reaction that occurs when a cell overheats and releases flammable vapours. The granules absorb heat, restrict oxygen and prevent the spread of flames to neighbouring cells.
This makes them invaluable for facilities storing mixed consumer electronics, mobility batteries, power tool packs or equipment awaiting recycling.
For warehouse teams managing diverse inventory and rapid turnaround times, granules offer a reliable way to isolate battery failures before the fire spreads to racking, packaging or surrounding stock.
Discover how fire suppression granules can support a safer response strategy for your team.
Lithium-ion battery fires do not behave like standard combustibles. Once thermal runaway begins, the battery creates its own oxygen and releases toxic vapours, which makes the fire extremely difficult to extinguish with traditional methods.
Key characteristics include:
- Rapid temperature escalation
- Repeated re-ignition
- Explosive ejection of burning material
- Release of flammable gases
- The potential for nearby cells to ignite in sequence
This is why regulatory bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive emphasise the importance of understanding fire behaviour and implementing suitable control measures. Operators can review the HSE’s guidance on workplace fire safety at the official HSE resource, which outlines the responsibilities of those managing hazardous materials.
Fire suppression granules are engineered specifically to tackle this unique fire profile by cooling the battery rapidly and insulating surrounding items from heat transfer.
Fire suppression granules are poured over the overheating or burning battery to create a protective thermal barrier. Their performance comes from three main effects:
1. Heat Absorption
Granules draw heat away from the failing cell, slowing the thermal reaction.
2. Oxygen Restriction
By coating the battery, they reduce the oxygen available to feed the fire.
3. Physical Isolation
The granules contain debris, sparks and ejected material that might otherwise ignite nearby goods.
This combination makes granules particularly effective in enclosed or high-density storage environments where sparks or debris can travel quickly.
Because they do not conduct electricity, granules can be applied safely even when the battery remains energised. This is an advantage over metal powders or water extinguishers, which may create secondary risks.
UK workplaces managing lithium-ion batteries must follow a clear regulatory framework. Those responsible for storage, handling and transporting batteries must ensure fire precautions are suitable, tested and proportionate to the risks.
To support compliance, operators should also familiarise themselves with official guidance on fire safety duties from the UK Government’s collection of fire safety legislation resources available here.
As guidance evolves, one trend is clear: businesses must maintain tools and procedures that allow immediate, safe containment of battery incidents. Fire suppression granules help fulfil this requirement by offering a practical first-response option.
Warehouses remain one of the highest-risk environments for battery fires because failures often occur unnoticed until heat, vapour or smoke is detected. Fire suppression granules support multiple stages of warehouse operation:
- Emergency response in picking and packing areas
- Isolation of overheating returns
- Safer handling at cross-docking points
- Protection in high-density racking
- Support for overnight storage when staff presence is minimal
For sites handling large volumes of battery-powered goods, granules also reduce the risk of an entire aisle or pallet run becoming compromised.
Safer Use During Transport and Mobile Operations
Transporting batteries introduces a different set of challenges. Vehicles cannot rely on fixed fire systems, and drivers often cannot evacuate large loads quickly. Fire suppression granules offer several advantages during transit:
- They are lightweight and easy to store in cabs or containers
- They require no special activation or equipment
- They can be applied instantly on the roadside
- They help prevent a vehicle fire from escalating
- They are safe for mixed freight environments
They are already used by last-mile couriers, pallet networks, mobile engineering teams and recycling contractors.
Choosing the Right Fire Suppression Granules
Granules vary in composition and performance, and operators should review:
- Heat tolerance
- Expansion behaviour
- Suitability for live electrical environments
- Containment performance
- Ease of deployment
Palband’s solution is designed specifically for lithium-ion battery risks, offering rapid smothering and cooling performance suitable for warehouses, transport and storage. More information is available on the Fyashield homepage.
Building Fire Suppression Granules Into Your Emergency Plan
A strong emergency response plan combines equipment, training and clear decision-making. When including granules in your plan, consider:
- Where they will be stored
- Who is trained to use them
- How to identify early-stage battery failure
- Communication steps during an incident
- Safe containment and post-incident procedures
Fire suppression granules should be accessible at key points such as loading bays, marshalling areas, vehicle fleets and return-goods inspection stations.
Common Misconceptions About Battery Fire Suppression
Because lithium-ion fires behave differently, some common misconceptions still circulate:
Water is the best first response
Water cools but does not reliably smother a lithium-ion fire. Re-ignition is common.
Small batteries pose minimal risk
Even small consumer devices can release high temperatures and ignite surrounding packaging.
Thermal runaway stops when the flames reduce
Cells can reignite minutes or hours later if they remain unstable.
Fire suppression granules help break this cycle by isolating the failed cell entirely.
Strengthen Your Battery Fire Preparedness
If you want to improve your readiness for lithium-ion battery incidents, explore Palband’s advanced fire suppression solutions. Our fire suppression granules provide rapid containment and thermal control, making them ideal for warehouses, transport fleets and high-risk storage environments.
Got a question? Click here to drop us a line.
