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Health and Safety Directorate

Storage, Disposal & Procurement

Quarantine & buying rules

Who this applies to

Anyone handling defective or end-of-life batteries; staff purchasing or approving battery-powered equipment on behalf of the University.

 

Quarantine procedure — damaged or suspect batteries

Follow this procedure for any battery that is swollen, leaking, overheated, damaged, or otherwise suspect.

 

1

Remove the battery from use immediately. Do not continue to charge or operate it.

Detailed quarantine & disposal procedure for any condition lithium batteries is TBC - In the meant time contact HSD for further advice:

 

Fire Safety Team

Head of Fire Safety - Pushminder Vagarwal

Fire Safety Manager - Timothy Ross

Fire Safety Homepage

For an urgent quarantine situation now,

call Security on 3333 immediately

✓  Do

•  Verify all equipment carries UKCA or CE markings

•  Buy batteries and chargers from the original manufacturer or authorised distributor

•  Consult the Fire Safety Team before purchasing bulk storage or novel battery systems

✗  Do not

•  Purchase "unbranded" batteries from generic online marketplaces (Amazon third-party sellers, eBay, etc.)

•  Accept donated medical or research equipment without a formal inspection and PAT test

•  Assume a cheaper "compatible" battery carries the same safety certification

When in doubt, ask before you buy.

Contact the Fire Safety Team if you are unsure whether a battery system or charging arrangement is suitable for University premises 

 

← Return to: Lithium Battery Safety (landing page)

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