Thermal Runaway: What Every School Leader Must Understand About Lithium-Ion Battery Risk
- kevinsdoyle
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Thermal Runaway: What Every School Leader Must Understand
Lithium-ion batteries power modern education.
They are in laptops, tablets, robotic equipment, power tools, e-bikes, cell phones, and, increasingly, electric school buses. They are efficient, compact, and powerful.
They are also capable of catastrophic failure.
At the center of that risk is a phenomenon known as thermal runaway.
If you are a superintendent, principal, STEM supervisor, facilities director, or board member, you need to understand what this means.
What Is Thermal Runaway?
Thermal runaway is a self-accelerating chemical reaction inside a lithium-ion battery.
When a battery is damaged, improperly charged, overheated, or manufactured with defects, its internal temperature can rise above the safe operating range. As the temperature increases:
Internal components begin to break down
Flammable gases are released
Heat triggers further chemical reactions
The reaction accelerates
Each step generates more heat, which drives the next reaction faster and hotter.
Once this cycle begins, it is extremely difficult to stop.
In many documented incidents, temperatures exceed 1,000°F. Fires can reignite. Explosions can occur. Standard fire extinguishers are often insufficient.
This is not a small spark. It is a high-energy chemical event.
Where This Risk Exists in Schools
Thermal runaway is not theoretical. It is foreseeable.
In K-12 environments, common risk points include:
Chromebook charging carts left plugged in overnight
Robotics program battery storage
E-bike storage on campus
Improper disposal of swollen batteries
Aftermarket chargers or replacement batteries
Electric school buses, such as those used in districts like the Los Angeles Unified School District
Electrification is increasing. So is the energy density inside our buildings.
The question is not whether lithium-ion batteries are here to stay. The question is whether our safety systems have kept pace.
The Leadership Responsibility: Foreseeability and Duty of Care
Under the concept of Duty of Care, school leaders must:
Foresee reasonably predictable hazards
Implement policies to reduce risk
Train staff appropriately
Ensure proper storage and charging practices
Maintain documentation
Thermal runaway is a known hazard. It is well documented by fire marshals, OSHA guidance, and safety organizations.
That makes it foreseeable.
And if it is foreseeable, it must be addressed.
Practical Risk Reduction Steps
Here are immediate actions districts should consider:
1. Charging Protocols
Do not leave large charging banks unattended overnight
Use manufacturer-approved chargers only
Avoid daisy-chaining power strips
2. Inspection Procedures
Remove swollen, damaged, or overheating batteries immediately
Establish reporting procedures for hot devices
3. Storage Controls
Store spare batteries in cool, dry locations
Keep away from combustible materials
Consider fire-resistant containment for robotics batteries
4. Training
Train teachers, IT staff, custodians, and coaches
Include lithium-ion hazards in annual safety training
Coordinate response protocols with local fire departments
5. Emergency Planning
Review evacuation procedures
Ensure proper extinguishing equipment is accessible
Understand that lithium-ion fires may reignite
Electrification Without Preparation Is Risk
Innovation is accelerating. Electric buses. One-to-one devices. STEM expansion.
Safety planning must accelerate faster.
If your district has not conducted a lithium-ion battery risk assessment, now is the time.
When in Doubt, Get Out.
Need Support?
Kevin Doyle Consulting provides:
Lithium-ion battery risk audits
Facility walkthroughs
Policy review
Staff training
Emergency preparedness consultation
For training or consultation support:📧 Kevin@KevinDoyleConsulting.com📱 (973) 876-5995
Safety is not about fear. It is about professional responsibility.