Battery Safety
Worcester Polytechnic Institute encourages and supports all programs promoting safety of faculty, staff, students and visitors. The purpose of this webpage is to provide best practice recommendations when using, storing, and charging lithium-ion and lithium polymer batteries under normal operations and emergency situations while on campus or conducting WPI business.
At this time, electric bikes and electric scooters containing lithium-ion batteries are not allowed to be stored or charged within WPI academic buildings, including residential halls.
Basic Battery Guidelines
Purchasing
- Purchase batteries from reputable suppliers. When in doubt, check if your battery is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). UL certified batteries meet global standards for safety.
Storing & Charging
- Store batteries in a designated flammable cabinet that only stores batteries, or in a LiPo or otherwise fireproof bag.
- Charge batteries in a LiPo or otherwise fireproof bag.
- Never charge batteries unattended or overnight.
- Always use the manufacturer provided charger.
- Always charge a battery on a hard, non-porous and non-flammable surface. Remove all combustible material from the immediate area (e.g. paper, cardboard, notebooks)
Disposal
- Spent batteries that are in good condition can be recycled in a battery recycling box.
- Batteries that are warm (but not hot) to the touch, bulging or leaking must be picked up by EHS. A waste pickup form can be submitted through CEMS.
- If a battery is hot to the touch (you require gloves to handle it), call EHS or Campus Police immediately.
Emergency Procedures
- Batteries that are emitting odors, off-gassing or producing vapors, smoldering, or actively burning: evacuate the space immediately and call Campus Police at 508-831-5555.