Seoul moves to set performance standards for portable battery fire pouches

Seoul is taking steps to mitigate fire damage from portable batteries by establishing performance standards for protective pouches. The city's Fire and Disaster Headquarters conducted fire adaptability experiments at the Seoul Fire Academy's Fire Investigation Research Center on June 19.

Recent years have seen an increase in portable battery fires and related incidents, yet there are no established criteria to assess the fire-suppressing capabilities of commercially available pouches. The experiment aimed to determine how effectively pouches could delay the spread of smoke and flames during a battery fire, with the goal of proposing relevant performance standards.

Four types of commercially available pouches were tested under simulated fire conditions. Researchers induced fires by damaging and overcharging batteries placed inside bags, then observed smoke leakage, flame spread, temperature changes inside and outside the pouches, and flame-retardant properties. Officials from eight related organizations, including the Korea Airports Corporation and Seoul Metro, attended the experiment to share insights on battery fire behavior and the need for initial response in confined spaces.

Data from the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters shows 107 portable battery fires in Seoul over the past three years: 15 in 2023, 37 in 2024, and 55 in 2025. These incidents resulted in two deaths, five injuries, and approximately 277 million won in property damage. The Korea Consumer Agency's Consumer Injury Surveillance System also recorded a significant increase in battery-related incidents, from 22 in 2021 to 136 in 2024.

Portable batteries often charge or are stored near flammable materials like beds, sofas, or bags, which can lead to rapid fire spread. High temperatures during summer can also increase the risk of thermal runaway within the battery. In enclosed or restricted spaces like airplanes or subways, smoke propagation and initial response pose greater challenges.