As a pioneer in fire technology research for more than 75 years, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) offers extensive battery fire testing services to ensure energy storage systems comply with fire safety requirements and standards. In addition to providing lab-scale Battery Safety & Abuse Testing of lithium-ion battery cells, packs and electric vehicles, SwRI’s Fire Technology staff support large-scale, unit-level and module-level fire evaluations of battery storage systems.
For more information, please contact Brandon Meckel or call +1 210 522 2728.
Fire Testing Facilities & Capabilities
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SwRI performs fire testing of an EV battery tank in accordance with ECE R100 Annex 9E.
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SwRI offers nine fire-testing facilities including this large vertical furnace for full-scale
With over 48,000 square feet and nine fire testing facilities, SwRI offers world-class facilities and expertise. SwRI’s Fire Technology laboratories are equipped to handle the intense heat generation associated with battery tests, and our pollution abatement system ensures that particulates and toxins released during fire testing don’t enter the environment.
Our facilities include:
- Large vertical furnace
- Large horizontal furnace
- Small horizontal furnace
Full-scale evaluation capabilities:
- Module and unit level battery testing
- Fully assembled battery packs
- Thermal runaway propagation or TRP testing
- Nail penetration of fully assembled packs
- Installation level testing
- Climate-controlled evaluations
Fire Testing Standard Services
SwRI’s expert fire engineers and technicians provide extensive fire testing services to comply with safety standards.
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North American Standards |
International Standards |
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SAE J2464 |
ECE R100 Annex 9E |
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UL 2580 |
Standard Fire Tests |
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UL 9540A |
UN 38.3 |
Non-Standard Testing & Research Service
SwRI support custom tests for emerging technologies without established fire testing standards. Our fire safety experts collaborate with automotive experts, mechanical engineers and materials scientists to solve complex problems across EV thermal management systems.
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EV Containment Testing
SwRI evaluated a fire mitigation method designed to safely store damaged electric vehicles and batteries.