Detecting lithium-ion battery fires at recycling sites
Lithium-ion battery fires at recycling sites usually start when a hidden battery is crushed in a bin lorry, tipping hall, picking line or baler. The best protection is layered: a certified fire alarm, video AI on existing CCTV to spot the first visible smoke anywhere on site, and thermal or gas detection on battery quarantine areas.
Real detection · Storage yardSmoke detectedAlert sent with the clipReal footage from a camera running Woodcock AI, 8-second loop.
The cause
Why lithium-ion batteries ignite in waste
Batteries hidden in vapes, toothbrushes, phones and other small electricals end up in general waste and mixed recycling. When they are punctured, crushed or damaged in a refuse vehicle compactor or during sorting, they can catch fire (NFCC). NFCC also notes these fires create their own oxygen, so they can keep reigniting (NFCC).
1,200+battery fires in bin lorries and waste sites across the UK in a year, up 71% from 700 in 2022Source: NFCC, May 2024. Last checked 22 October 2026.
6bnabout 6 billion batteries thrown away across the UK in a year, 1.1 billion of them hidden in discarded electrical devicesSource: ESA, 15 September 2025. Last checked 22 October 2026.
Illustrative diagram, simplified. Real fires do not always follow every stage in order.
Illustrative 3D render
Illustrative 3D render. A hidden battery can smoulder in a stockpile for hours before anyone on site notices.
Tap a zone
Where battery fires start on a recycling site
Tap a numbered pin or a zone name to see why fires start there and what the cameras watch for.
Illustrative render
What to look for
Early visual signs a camera can catch
A thin wisp of smokeGrey or white smoke from one spot in a load or pile.
Sparks or a small flameA flash or flame as material is moved or compacted.
Haze after closingHaze building over a bay, bale stack or container after the site closes.
Smoke from a vehicleSmoke from the body or hopper of a returning collection vehicle.
Real footage
Real footage from an ordinary infrared camera running Woodcock AI, 8-second loop.
Woodcock AI looks for visible smoke and flame and is trained to tell smoke from fog, dust and steam. It cannot see heat inside a pile or container before smoke appears.
Real Woodcock AI detection output.
Real detection
Smoke and flame, boxed on existing CCTV
This is real Woodcock AI output on an ordinary infrared camera in a storage yard at night. The AI draws a box around the smoke and the flame and sends the clip to the people you choose.
Alerts to a monitoring centre (ARC) and phone-call alerts are available as optional add-ons.
A layered approach
How to layer detection for battery fires
1
Certified fire alarm
The legal and insurance baseline for buildings, with sprinklers and suppression where your risk assessment calls for them. Nothing on this page replaces it.
2
Video AI on existing CCTV
Wide coverage of tipping halls, lines, balers and yards, with the clip sent to your phone. Alerts to a monitoring centre (ARC) and phone-call alerts are available as optional add-ons.
3
Thermal and gas on quarantine
Heat and off-gas monitoring where damaged batteries are stored together, as the Environment Agency guidance suggests.
In May 2026 the Environment Agency published Waste batteries: appropriate measures for permitted facilities (21 May 2026). It applies to facilities permitted to treat or transfer separate collections of waste batteries, and sets out measures for general management, waste acceptance and tracking, storage and handling, treatment, emissions control and monitoring, and process efficiency. On fire, it says:
The same guidance says detection should be chosen from a site-specific fire risk assessment and consultation with the local fire and rescue service, and that gas detection may help give early warning where lithium-ion batteries are stored. Sites with a fire prevention plan should also follow the Environment Agency fire prevention plan guidance.
Why do lithium-ion batteries cause fires at waste sites?
When batteries, loose or hidden inside electricals, end up in general waste or mixed recycling, they can be punctured, crushed or damaged in a bin lorry compactor or during sorting, and start a fire. NFCC says these fires can reignite and are especially hard to tackle (NFCC).
Can CCTV detect a battery fire before it spreads?
Video AI on existing CCTV can flag visible smoke and flame as soon as the camera can see them, and send the clip so someone can check straight away. It cannot see heat building inside a pile or container before smoke appears, which is why thermal monitoring and a certified fire alarm still matter.
Thermal or video for a quarantine bay?
Thermal is usually the better primary choice for a quarantine bay, because heat is often the first sign, and the Environment Agency guidance says gas detection may help where lithium-ion batteries are stored (GOV.UK). Video AI adds a visual check and covers the rest of the site. See the comparison of video AI, thermal and on-camera analytics.
Does it work at night on infrared?
Video AI works on the picture the camera gives it, including infrared at night, as long as smoke or flame is visible in that picture. Very dark scenes, heavy fog and glare can hide smoke, and we check your cameras at the free site assessment.
Does the Environment Agency require fire detection for battery storage?
For permitted facilities that store, handle or treat waste batteries, the Environment Agency appropriate measures say these areas must have appropriate fire detection and suppression, chosen from a site-specific fire risk assessment and consultation with the local fire and rescue service (GOV.UK). Check your own permit and fire prevention plan.
Does video AI replace a fire alarm?
No. Video AI adds early visual warning and a clip to check, but it does not replace a certified fire detection and alarm system. Keep your fire alarm and treat video AI as an extra layer.
Next step
Check your site for battery fire risks
A free site assessment looks at your cameras and the areas where battery fires are most likely to start.
Illustrative 3D render
Illustrative render
