The question of lithium battery safety became urgent for many Nigerians after the tragic fire at Afriland Towers in Lagos, where nearly 10 people died, primarily from smoke inhalation. Reports suggested the fire originated from a lithium battery system in the building.
It’s a legitimate concern. When you’re investing hundreds of thousands of naira in backup power for your home or business, you need to know: Is this technology safe for my family?
This article provides straight facts about lithium battery safety – what the real risks are, how different lithium chemistries compare, and what proper safety looks like for Nigerian installations.
First: Not All Lithium Batteries Are the Same
This is the most important thing to understand: “Lithium battery” is a broad category that includes several different chemistries with vastly different safety profiles.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Found in: Phones, laptops, electric vehicles, power banks
Chemistry: Usually lithium cobalt oxide or similar
Safety profile: Higher energy density but less thermally stable
Fire risk: Can experience thermal runaway if damaged or poorly manufactured
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
Found in: Solar battery systems, backup power, RVs, boats
Chemistry: Iron phosphate-based
Safety profile: Extremely stable, very difficult to ignite
Fire risk: Minimal – one of the safest battery chemistries available
The critical point: When people talk about lithium batteries catching fire, they’re almost always referring to lithium-ion (phone batteries, e-bikes, laptops). LiFePO4 batteries used in quality solar systems are a completely different technology with fundamentally different safety characteristics.
What Likely Happened at Afriland Towers
While official investigations are still ongoing, industry experts point to several possible factors in the Afriland incident:
Potential Cause 1: Battery Chemistry
The system may have used lithium-ion chemistry rather than LiFePO4. Many cheaper battery systems use li-ion because it’s less expensive and offers higher energy density – but with significantly higher fire risk.
Potential Cause 2: Poor Quality Components
Cheap batteries with inadequate BMS (Battery Management System) protection, low-grade cells, or poor construction can fail catastrophically regardless of chemistry.
Potential Cause 3: Installation Issues
Improper installation – inadequate ventilation, wrong charge settings, poor cable sizing, or lack of fire suppression systems – can create dangerous conditions.
Potential Cause 4: System Overload
Batteries pushed beyond their rated capacity, improper charging profiles, or failed protection systems can cause thermal events.
Potential Cause 4: System Overload
Batteries pushed beyond their rated capacity, improper charging profiles, or failed protection systems can cause thermal events.
The reality: The tragedy at Afriland likely resulted from a combination of factors, not simply “lithium batteries are dangerous.” Proper batteries, properly installed, with proper safety systems don’t fail this way.
Why LiFePO4 is Fundamentally Safer
LiFePO4 chemistry has inherent safety advantages that make it the preferred choice for stationary energy storage:
Thermal Stability
LiFePO4: Doesn’t begin thermal runaway until above 270°C. Even when pushed to failure, doesn’t produce flames – just extreme heat.
Li-ion: Can begin thermal runaway at 150-180°C. When it fails, it fails violently with flames and rapid heat release.
In practice: LiFePO4 batteries don’t spontaneously combust. Even in worst-case scenarios (severe overcharging, physical damage), they’re far less likely to catch fire than lithium-ion.
Chemical Stability
The iron phosphate structure in LiFePO4 is chemically stable and doesn’t release oxygen when heated. Lithium-ion chemistries can release oxygen during thermal events, which feeds fires.
Lower Energy Density = Safety Trade-off
LiFePO4 stores less energy per kilogram than lithium-ion. This sounds like a disadvantage, but it’s actually a safety feature. Lower energy density means less violent failures if something does go wrong.
Why manufacturers choose LiFePO4 for homes: The safety margin is worth the slightly lower energy density for stationary applications.
Real Safety Features in Quality Lithium Batteries
A properly designed LiFePO4 battery system includes multiple layers of protection:
Battery Management System (BMS)
The BMS is the brain that monitors and protects your battery constantly:
Protection functions:
- Overvoltage protection (prevents overcharging)
- Undervoltage protection (prevents deep discharge damage)
- Overcurrent protection (limits dangerous current flow)
- Temperature monitoring (shuts down if too hot or cold)
- Cell balancing (ensures all cells charge evenly)
- Short circuit protection (immediate shutdown)
A good BMS from manufacturers like Jikong and JBD includes multiple redundant safety systems. If one protection fails, others are in place.
Circuit Protection
Quality batteries include:
- MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker): Industrial-grade protection that can interrupt high currents safely
- Fuses or breakers on individual cell strings
- Proper cable sizing to prevent resistance heating
- Waterproof terminals to prevent accidental shorts
Fire Suppression
Premium battery systems include:
- Built-in fire extinguisher systems for larger installations (14kWh+)
- Automatic discharge when temperature exceeds safe limits
- Non-toxic fire suppression compounds
Our batteries include fire extinguisher systems in their larger units – a feature many cheaper batteries skip to save cost.
Construction Quality
Proper battery construction matters:
- Cell compression: Prevents internal damage from vibration
- Thermal management: Allows heat to dissipate safely
- Sealed but ventilated casings
- Quality welding/connections: Poor connections create hot spots
Comparing Fire Risk: Lithium vs Alternatives
Let’s put lithium battery fire risk in context by comparing to common alternatives:
LiFePO4 Battery System
- Fire risk: Very low with quality components
- Primary cause of fires: Installation errors, counterfeit products
- Combustibility: Does not support combustion
- Failure mode: Gradual degradation, rarely catastrophic
Tubular/Lead Acid Batteries
- Fire risk: Moderate
- Primary cause of fires: Hydrogen gas buildup during charging
- Combustibility: Produces explosive hydrogen gas
- Failure mode: Can explode if hydrogen ignites near spark
Generator Fuel (Petrol/Diesel)
- Fire risk: High
- Primary cause of fires: Fuel leaks, poor storage, accidents
- Combustibility: Highly flammable liquid
- Failure mode: Rapid fire spread
You’re probably more likely to have a fire from your generator fuel storage than from a quality LiFePO4 battery system. Yet generators are in nearly every compound in Nigeria.
The difference is perception. We’re comfortable with generator risks because we understand them. Lithium is newer, so any incident gets amplified.
Red Flags: Unsafe Battery Systems
Here’s how to spot potentially dangerous battery products:
⚠️ Warning Sign 1: No Cell Documentation
If the seller can’t show you:
- Cell manufacturer specifications
- Grade verification (Grade A cells)
- QR codes on cells for traceability
Why this matters: Counterfeit or recycled cells are a major fire risk. Recycled cells from old laptops or EVs can have internal damage that leads to failure.
⚠️ Warning Sign 2: No BMS Information
If they can’t tell you:
- What BMS is used
- What protection features it includes
- How it communicates with your inverter
Why this matters: Cheap or inadequate BMS systems won’t protect against dangerous conditions. This is where most catastrophic failures originate.
⚠️ Warning Sign 3: Unclear Chemistry
If the listing just says “lithium battery” without specifying LiFePO4:
- It might be lithium-ion (higher risk)
- Seller might not know what they’re selling
- Could be mixing different chemistries
Why this matters: You need to know exactly what chemistry you’re buying. LiFePO4 should always be clearly stated.
⚠️ Warning Sign 4: No Safety Certifications
Quality batteries should have:
- UN38.3 (transport safety)
- CE marking (European safety standards)
- MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
- Fire safety documentation
Why this matters: These certifications mean the battery has been tested. Their absence suggests corner-cutting on safety.
⚠️ Warning Sign 5: Suspiciously Low Pricing
A 14kWh LiFePO4 battery selling for ₦800,000 when quality systems cost ₦3,000,000+ is a red flag.
Why this matters: Safety features cost money. Proper cells cost money. Quality BMS costs money. If the price seems too good, safety was probably sacrificed.
Safe Installation Practices
Even the safest battery can be dangerous if improperly installed. Here’s what proper installation looks like:
Location Selection
Good locations:
- Well-ventilated area
- Away from living spaces (if possible)
- Ground floor or dedicated battery room
- Dry, protected from weather
- Away from ignition sources
Bad locations:
- Sealed rooms with no ventilation
- Bedrooms or enclosed living spaces
- Areas exposed to extreme heat
- Near flammable materials
Ventilation Requirements
Even though LiFePO4 doesn’t produce hydrogen gas like lead-acid batteries:
- Natural ventilation is still recommended
- Heat dissipation prevents temperature buildup
- Air circulation maintains optimal operating temperature
Electrical Protection
- Proper cable sizing: No undersized wires
- Circuit breakers: Appropriately rated
- Grounding: Proper system grounding essential
- No DIY connections: Professional installation matters
Fire Safety Equipment
- Fire extinguisher: Class D or ABC, accessible
- Smoke detector: In battery location
- Emergency plan: Clear evacuation routes
- Regular inspection: Check connections, cables, housing
Professional Installation vs DIY
This is one area where cutting costs by doing it yourself can be genuinely dangerous. Professional installers understand:
- Proper charge settings for lithium
- Cable sizing for high currents
- Protection system configuration
- Ventilation requirements
- Local electrical codes
The Afriland lesson: Many battery fires result from installation errors, not battery defects.
What About Other Lithium Battery Incidents?
You’ve probably heard about other lithium battery fires:
- Phone batteries exploding
- E-bikes catching fire while charging
- Laptop batteries swelling and burning
These are almost always lithium-ion (not LiFePO4) and usually involve:
- Counterfeit batteries
- Physical damage to cells
- Cheap chargers that overcharge
- Poor quality control
LiFePO4 used in home solar systems is a different technology with a far better safety record.
Insurance and Safety Standards
As lithium adoption grows in Nigeria, insurance companies are starting to consider battery systems:
What Insurers Look For:
- Certified battery systems (CE, UN38.3)
- Professional installation
- Proper documentation
- Regular maintenance records
- Fire suppression systems
What Improves Insurability:
- Using recognized brands
- Certified installer
- Installation complies with local codes
- Annual safety inspections
If you’re installing a large system (14kWh+), discuss it with your property insurer. Proper documentation helps if you ever need to claim.
Maintenance for Safety
LiFePO4 batteries require minimal maintenance, but safety checks matter:
Monthly Checks:
- Visual inspection for damage
- Check for unusual smells
- Verify temperature readings normal
- Ensure ventilation not blocked
Quarterly Checks:
- Inspect cable connections
- Check terminal tightness
- Verify BMS functioning properly
- Review monitoring logs for anomalies
Annual Checks:
- Professional inspection
- Load testing if available
- Update firmware if applicable
- Replace any damaged components
Are lithium batteries safe? The honest answer: LiFePO4 batteries are very safe when properly manufactured, correctly installed, and appropriately maintained.
The risk isn’t the technology itself – it’s:
- Buying counterfeit or cheap batteries with inadequate safety features
- Poor installation that creates dangerous conditions
- Using wrong chemistry (lithium-ion instead of LiFePO4)
- Ignoring warning signs from your battery system
Quality LiFePO4 batteries from reputable manufacturers like Deriy, properly installed by qualified technicians, with appropriate safety systems, are safer than many alternatives Nigerians use daily.
Questions to Ask Your Battery Supplier
Before buying, verify safety with these questions:
- “What battery chemistry is this?” (Must be LiFePO4 for home systems)
- “What safety certifications does it have?” (UN38.3, CE minimum)
- “What BMS protection features are included?” (Should list specific protections)
- “Can you provide cell traceability?” (QR codes, manufacturer verification)
- “What fire suppression is included?” (Larger systems should have this)
- “Do you provide professional installation?” (Critical for safety)
- “What happens if there’s a safety issue?” (Local warranty support)
If they can’t answer these questions clearly, walk away.
The Bottom Line on Safety
The tragedy at Afriland Towers was terrible, and it’s right to ask hard questions about battery safety. But the lesson isn’t “lithium batteries are dangerous” – it’s “quality, proper installation, and appropriate safety systems matter.”
LiFePO4 batteries are safe when:
- You buy from reputable manufacturers
- You verify cell quality and BMS features
- Installation is done professionally
- Proper safety systems are in place
- Regular maintenance checks happen
Any battery system becomes dangerous when:
- You buy the cheapest option available
- Installation is improvised or DIY
- Safety features are skipped to save money
- Warning signs are ignored
The solar revolution in Nigeria is built on reliable, safe energy storage. Millions of LiFePO4 battery systems operate safely worldwide every day. With proper attention to quality and installation, yours will too.
Concerned about battery safety for your installation? Contact our technical team for detailed safety information, proper installation guidance, and quality battery systems with full safety certification.