Used Battery Recycling Fire Safety Upgraded; Taoyuan Requires Zoning and Discharge Treatment

Taoyuan City in Taiwan has upgraded its fire prevention regulations to address the escalating risks associated with used battery recycling. The Environmental Protection Administration anticipates that the national volume of recycled batteries will reach 12,000 metric tons annually by 2031, prompting Taoyuan to amend its "Taoyuan City Fire Prevention Self-Government Ordinance."

The revised ordinance designates "places for the stacking, recycling, reuse, and treatment of flammable materials" as high-risk locations requiring mandatory management. This move aims to ensure the proper zoning of storage and discharge treatment for recycled batteries, thereby enhancing fire prevention efforts. According to Lin Li-chang, Director of the Coastal and Resource Circulation Engineering Office, 84 businesses have already submitted their fire prevention data. The city government has conducted 176 inspections on 221 regulated businesses by the end of June this year.

Businesses are now required to establish "lithium battery storage areas" and strictly prohibit mixing them with general recyclables, paper, plastic, or other combustible materials. This measure is intended to reduce the risks of short circuits, fires, and subsequent spread. Furthermore, the ordinance calls for businesses to implement self-prevention guidelines, including storing lithium batteries in dedicated discharge buckets filled with water to lower residual power and mitigate short-circuit risks.

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The city government has amended the "Taoyuan City Fire Prevention Self-Government Ordinance," designating "places for the stacking, recycling, reuse, and treatment of flammable materials" as the second batch of high-risk locations requiring mandatory management, in order to implement fire prevention work such as zoning and discharge treatment for recycled batteries.

Operators must also equip their workplaces with monitoring systems, fire hydrants, water storage tanks, and fire-fighting facilities. Establishing standard operating procedures and inspection mechanisms is mandatory, with at least two regular inspections per year. Non-compliant businesses face fines ranging from NT$50,000 to NT$100,000 for violations of the "Taoyuan City Fire Prevention Self-Government Ordinance." Repeat offenders who fail to rectify issues within a specified period may face the demolition of their illegal structures.

Director Lin emphasized that the city government will continue to identify and manage risks through its high-risk location management system. This includes continuously reviewing inspection and prevention mechanisms, assisting businesses in improving their safety management capabilities, and expanding the scope of regulated high-risk locations to minimize fire risks at the source.

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Businesses that fail to submit fire prevention plans or evade and obstruct inspections, and still fail to improve within the time limit, will be fined NT$50,000 to NT$100,000 for violating the "Taoyuan City Fire Prevention Self-Government Ordinance," and may be fined repeatedly. Illegal structures of repeat offenders who have not improved within one year will be prioritized for demolition.