Deine Batterie kann dein Haus in Brand setzen – und niemand warnt dich

LFP batteries only become critical at around 270 degrees Celsius, while NMC cells become critical at 150 to 180 degrees. However, the German Energy Storage Association (BVES) states in its updated safety guidelines from November 2025 that the safety recommendations apply equally to both technologies, as LFP cells can also release flammable gases during thermal runaway, creating explosive atmospheres. Where and how the storage system is installed directly influences the extent of damage in the event of a malfunction. According to the German Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE), battery storage systems should be installed in dry, temperature-controlled rooms with a minimum distance of one meter from flammable materials and adequate external ventilation. Storage systems in poorly ventilated basements, cramped garages, or next to cardboard storage areas can transform a potential fire into a potential explosion. Missing pressure relief devices, an incorrectly configured battery management system, and a failure to perform recall checks further increase the risk. [VDE 10 ... Jan Feddern, head of the Schleswig-Holstein electrical guild, told NDR after the incident in Schönberg that he suspects the battery may have been overcharged due to sunny weather. What many homeowners don't know: Around 70 percent of residential building insurance policies don't automatically cover battery storage systems. Those who haven't explicitly registered their storage system with their insurer risk having their claim completely denied in the event of damage, as an unregistered storage system is considered an increased risk. Even with properly registered storage systems, standard policies often don't cover smoke and soot damage, as well as internal operational damage. Comprehensive protection requires either an extension to the residential building insurance or a separate all-risk PV insurance policy, which typically costs between €100 and €300 per year for a 10 kWp system with storage. The vfdb (Association for the Promotion of German Building Insurance) and the Association of Heads of Professional Fire Brigades classify lithium battery fires as a Category C hazardous material, requiring the use of respiratory protection and chemical protective clothing. In an emergency, residents should immediately leave the house, call 112 (the European emergency number), and inform the fire department that a lithium battery storage system is involved. Never attempt to extinguish the fire yourself. Five concrete measures can be implemented in the short term. First, every owner of an LG RESU or older Senec model should check the serial number on the BAuA (Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) recall page. Second, the installation location should be honestly assessed and, if necessary, discussed with the installer. Third, the insurance policy should be checked to ensure that the storage system is explicitly covered and that smoke damage is included. Fourth, a smoke detector should be installed in the storage room if one is not already present. Fifth, the storage system's software and BMS (Building Management System) updates should be checked for current versions, as firmware updates can improve safety thresholds. RWTH Aachen University calculated the annual fire risk for home storage systems at 0.0049 percent in December 2024. The risk is low, but if a battery storage system catches fire, it burns differently than any other household appliance: it can reignite, it releases toxic gases, and insurance doesn't automatically cover the damage. Over 2.2 million home storage systems are in operation in Germany. The five measures mentioned together take about two hours and a phone call. ... Sources: 1. BAuA Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health – LG Battery Storage Recall Notice, February 2025: https://www.baua.de/DE/Themen/Anwendu... 2. BVES German Energy Storage Association – Safety Guidelines for Home Storage Systems, November 2025: https://www.bves.de/sicherheit 3. vfdb German Fire Protection Association – Information Sheet on Lithium Batteries, February 2025: https://www.vfdb.de/publikationen/mer... 4. VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies – Standards and Recommendations for the Installation of Energy Storage Systems: https://www.vde.com/de/fnn/themen/bat... 5. RWTH Aachen University – Study on the Fire Frequency of Home Storage Systems, December 2024: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/forschung/... You can find more about me and my work here. here:   / vali-nistor-4aa612387   Contact: [email protected] © 2026