DFES Launches Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Campaign in Western Australia
The DFES battery fire campaign places lithium ion battery safety WA at the centre of current fire prevention efforts in Western Australia. Published on 30 June 2026, the DFES campaign focuses on safer purchasing, storage, and use of lithium ion batteries. The announcement reports more than three battery related incidents per week at that time. For fire protection companies, electrical contractors, retail operators, and facilities teams, the campaign is a practical prompt to review battery storage, equipment selection, staff guidance, and emergency response. This article uses the DFES campaign as the factual basis and applies it to Australian commercial settings.
What the DFES Battery Fire Campaign Reports
The DFES campaign is focused on safer purchasing, storage, and use. The DFES announcement reports more than three battery related incidents per week at the time of publication. The campaign is described in the DFES lithium ion battery advertising campaign. For businesses, this public safety message has a direct operational meaning, particularly when B2B fire protection options are reviewed. Premises that store or charge lithium ion devices may need to review where those devices are kept, how they are purchased, and how staff respond when a device shows abnormal signs.
Why Lithium Ion Battery Safety WA Is a Commercial Fire Issue
Lithium ion devices can be found in many commercial environments. Retail businesses may store packaged products containing batteries. Electrical companies may service power tools, portable equipment, and chargers. Warehouses may hold electric bikes, scooters, power banks, and other battery powered assets. Multi tenant buildings may store staff or resident batteries in common areas. Because these devices are often charged, moved, and stored in different locations, lithium ion battery safety WA requires a whole site approach rather than a single room check.
The DFES campaign’s focus on purchasing, storage, and use helps create a simple control model. A facility can ask where batteries are bought, where they are stored, how they are charged, who checks them, and who reports a suspected issue. That model is useful for fire companies, electrical contractors, retail operators, and commercial property managers.
Practical Controls for Purchasing, Storage, and Use
Purchasing Controls
Procurement teams should record battery specifications, manufacturer instructions, supplier documentation, and warranty or recall information. Retailers can support safer purchasing by providing clear guidance on storage, charging, and disposal. For commercial buyers, the purchase decision should include not only price and capacity, but also how the device will be stored, charged, transported, and maintained on site.
Storage Controls
Storage arrangements should support safe separation, visibility, and access. Where possible, damaged, swollen, leaking, or abnormal devices should be isolated from active use and stored in accordance with site procedures. Charging areas should be kept clear of combustible items, and large numbers of batteries should not be left unmonitored. Warehouses and retail back rooms should identify designated charging points and avoid storing batteries in closed cupboards or unventilated spaces without a site safety review.
Use and Inspection Controls
Users should follow manufacturer instructions for charging, operation, transport, and disposal. Staff should stop using equipment that shows unusual heat, strong odour, swelling, leakage, visible damage, or abnormal behaviour during charging. These indicators require immediate isolation, a clear report to the responsible person, and safe handling according to site procedures. Regular inspections help identify problems before they become emergency events.
Fire Protection and Emergency Response Considerations
Commercial facilities should align battery safety controls with existing fire safety systems and emergency plans. The DFES campaign encourages safer use, but businesses also need a clear response method when a battery fire starts in a stockroom, workshop, or charging area. Fire protection teams should consider where battery storage is located, whether charging occurs outside designated areas, and whether staff know how to report a suspected battery fire.
| Area | Key Question | Practical Action |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement | Are specifications and manufacturer instructions recorded? | Keep purchase records, documentation, and recall information for battery devices. |
| Storage | Are damaged or abnormal batteries isolated safely? | Use designated isolation storage and keep records of affected devices. |
| Charging | Is charging limited to controlled and monitored locations? | Review charging points for electric bikes, power tools, battery backup equipment, and portable power supplies. |
| Staff | Can staff identify and report abnormal battery behaviour? | Include battery signs, isolation steps, and emergency contacts in site induction or toolbox talks. |
| Emergency response | Does the incident plan cover battery related events? | Review evacuation, reporting, and emergency service briefing procedures for battery storage areas. |
Where a site has dedicated battery storage or charging, fire protection equipment selection should be reviewed with the relevant equipment supplier. The review should consider the device type, location, quantity, access, and the ability of staff to use equipment safely during an incident.
FireFactory Support for B2B Battery Fire Readiness
FireFactory is a B2B fire protection ecommerce supplier serving Australian businesses, including fire companies, electrical contractors, retailers, and facilities teams. Where a commercial site has battery storage, charging areas, or battery powered equipment, FireFactory’s B2B catalogue can help buyers review fire protection options and connect with equipment that matches the site requirement. This is particularly useful when a business needs to document controls, support staff training, or refresh fire protection equipment as part of a safety review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DFES battery fire campaign about?
The DFES battery fire campaign focuses on safer purchasing, storage, and use of lithium ion batteries in Western Australia. It was published on 30 June 2026 and reports more than three battery related incidents per week at that time. The campaign is a practical public safety reminder for households and businesses.
Why is lithium ion battery safety WA important for commercial premises?
Commercial premises often store or charge many lithium ion devices, including power tools, electric bikes, battery backup equipment, and portable power supplies. These devices can be spread across stockrooms, workshops, offices, and common areas. A clear control model helps businesses identify where risk is highest and how to reduce it.
What should businesses check first after the DFES campaign?
Businesses should identify where lithium ion devices are stored and charged. They should also check whether damaged, swollen, or abnormal devices are isolated and reported. Staff should know how to stop using a device and who to contact if a battery shows abnormal signs.
How can FireFactory help with battery fire readiness?
FireFactory supports Australian B2B buyers with fire protection products and practical safety resources. For sites with battery storage or charging, FireFactory can help businesses review fire protection options and connect with the right equipment for their premises.
Is the DFES campaign only for homes?
No. The campaign’s purchasing, storage, and use focus applies to businesses as well as households. Commercial facilities should use the campaign as a prompt to review battery storage, charging, staff guidance, and emergency response procedures.
FireFactory CTA. Contact FireFactory to review B2B fire protection options for your site. FireFactory can help Australian businesses assess equipment needs and connect with fire protection products for battery storage, charging areas, and commercial fire safety plans.