When we think about EV fire risk, hospitals and aged care facilities are not the first settings that come to mind. But modern medical and aged care environments are among the most lithium-ion dense settings in Australia — and they also present some of the highest-consequence fire scenarios, given the vulnerability of the people within them and the complexity of evacuation.

The Lithium-Ion Landscape in Healthcare

The range of lithium-ion powered equipment in contemporary hospitals and aged care facilities is substantial: electric mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, defibrillators and portable monitoring devices, staff e-bikes, electric delivery carts, and increasingly, electric vehicles in facility car parks. Each represents a potential source of thermal runaway — and in a healthcare setting, the consequences are uniquely serious.

Why Healthcare Settings Are High-Risk

Vulnerable Occupants

Hospital patients and aged care residents may be unable to self-evacuate. Evacuation of non-ambulant patients is time-consuming, physically demanding, and carries its own health risks. A fire that would be manageable in an office building can become catastrophic in a ward or care facility where dozens of residents require assisted evacuation.

24-Hour Operations

Healthcare facilities operate around the clock. Battery charging in storerooms, charging bays, and corridors happens continuously — often overnight when staffing levels are reduced. The risk of an undetected thermal runaway is higher during off-peak hours.

Enclosed Charging Areas

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are typically charged in storage corridors or dedicated charging rooms. These enclosed spaces concentrate heat and toxic gases if thermal runaway occurs — and can be located near patient areas or egress routes.

What Healthcare Facilities Should Do

Map Your Lithium-Ion Equipment

Conduct a complete audit of all lithium-ion powered equipment in the facility: mobility aids, medical devices, staff vehicles, fleet vehicles, kitchen equipment, and patient entertainment devices. Understanding the scope of your lithium-ion exposure is the foundation of an appropriate response.

Designate Safe Charging Locations

Charging locations for mobility aids should be in purpose-designated areas with appropriate ventilation and fire equipment — not in patient corridors or near exit routes. Fire curtains can isolate charging areas from adjacent spaces.

Install Purpose-Specific Fire Equipment

EV fire blankets sized for mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs should be positioned adjacent to designated charging areas. EV-specific extinguishers should be accessible throughout the facility, with staff trained in their use.

Update Evacuation Plans

Existing evacuation plans may not account for the extended timeline of thermal runaway, the risk of re-ignition, or the production of toxic gases. Plans should be reviewed and updated accordingly.