The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has announced its upcoming Engineering Solutions Symposium, focusing on lithium-ion battery fire safety, to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 11 to 13 November 2025.
The event will examine lithium-ion battery fire risks across sectors including consumer electronics, e-bikes, electric vehicles (EVs), and battery energy storage systems. SFPE states the symposium is intended to unite researchers, engineers, insurers, manufacturers, facility managers, and first responders to explore risk management, regulation, and system design strategies.
A three-day programme will feature technical presentations, panel discussions, and opportunities for dialogue, centred around the escalating fire safety challenges posed by lithium-ion technologies.
SFPE notes that lithium-ion batteries are among the most urgent emerging hazards in fire safety, with the symposium exploring thermal runaway, updated fire codes, and mitigation strategies for high-risk applications such as EVs and energy storage facilities.
Learning objectives include examining fire risks in new battery technologies, understanding the mechanics of thermal runaway, and discussing diagnostics, monitoring tools, and regulatory frameworks for battery fire safety. The event will also address the wider implications for emergency response and critical infrastructure protection.
The programme is guided by an international committee and co-chaired by Adam Barowy and Professor Guillermo Rein, with participation from academia, industry, and government experts.
Attendees will also take part in a site visit to a new data centre in Lisbon equipped with lithium-ion battery backup systems, providing a real-world perspective on system integration and risk mitigation.
The symposium will be hosted at the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa, with early-bird registration open until 10 October 2025.
