Drone Battery Charging and Fire Safety

• Lithium battery overheating or thermal runaway
• Fire caused by damaged cells, incorrect chargers, or short circuits
• Burns or smoke exposure during a battery failure
• Charging on combustible surfaces or near ignition sources
• Using swollen, punctured, wet, or impact-damaged batteries
• Improper disposal or storage of defective batteries

Drone batteries store a large amount of energy in a small package. Damage, overheating, incorrect charging, or internal failure can lead to smoke, fire, or thermal runaway.

Batteries should be inspected before charging and before flight. Swelling, punctures, dents, damaged terminals, unusual odor, excessive heat, moisture exposure, or error messages are warning signs that require the battery to be removed from service.

Only chargers, settings, cables, and adapters approved for the battery should be used. A charger that fits the connector is not automatically compatible with the battery chemistry, voltage, or charging rate.

Charging should occur in a designated area on a stable, noncombustible surface away from paper, fuel, solvents, direct sunlight, hot vehicles, and other materials that could increase a fire.

Batteries should not be charged immediately after flight if they are still hot. They should be allowed to cool and should not be left charging without the level of supervision required by company and manufacturer procedures.

Battery terminals should be protected from contact with metal tools, loose hardware, keys, or other conductive objects. Short circuits can cause intense heat, sparks, burns, and fire.

Damaged or suspect batteries should be isolated in an approved location and handled according to the organization’s emergency and disposal procedures. They should not be returned to a normal charging case or mixed with serviceable batteries.

Workers should know how to raise the alarm, move away from smoke and heat, contact emergency services, and use available fire protection without placing themselves in danger.

• Inspect batteries before charging and before flight.
• Use only approved chargers, cables, settings, and adapters.
• Charge on a noncombustible surface away from flammable materials.
• Allow hot batteries to cool before charging.
• Protect battery terminals from short circuits.
• Isolate swollen, damaged, wet, or overheated batteries.
• Follow the emergency plan if a battery smokes, hisses, or heats rapidly.

• Where is the approved drone battery charging area?
• Do any batteries show swelling, impact damage, heat, or terminal damage?
• Are the charger and settings correct for each battery?
• How are defective batteries isolated and labeled?
• What is the emergency response if a battery begins to fail?