Detecting lithium-ion fires before they burn

Electric vehicles, tools and equipment have become part and parcel of logistics. But with that increase, the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries is also growing. Smart Fire Technologies (SFT), founded in late 2024 by Dennis van der Mark, John Pieterse and Marcel Jansen, responds to this with advanced detection systems that not only provide early warning but also pinpoint exactly where something is likely to go wrong. The company is growing like crazy.

"We provide wireless detection systems for mobile assets with lithium-ion batteries," Van der Mark explains. "Whether it's electric forklifts, excavators or GPU carts at airports, when those vehicles are idle, they pose a latent risk. Our technology detects abnormalities in the battery pack at an early stage and reports it directly to the Alert control room or the building-based fire alarm system."

SFT's strength lies in the combination of sensor technology and location tracking. "We can indicate at the parking lot level which vehicle is at risk. This leaves time for action and limits collateral damage to the building and stored goods, as well as personal injury. By being able to act in time, business processes do not have to be shut down by a total evacuation. This also prevents collateral damage," says Van der Mark.

Fire-Track: aimed at mobile vehicles

The Fire-Track system is designed specifically for vehicles. "We take a scan of the vehicle beforehand to determine where the first signs of battery problems become visible. At that location, we place heat or gas sensors. As soon as something abnormal is measured, we know exactly which vehicle and where," Van der Mark said. Fire-Track is wireless, works entirely in the cloud and can be linked to a visual dashboard if desired.

Fire-Watcher: for fixed storage areas

Fire-Watcher is the stationary brother of Fire-Track and targets spaces where lithium batteries are stored or charged. Think bicycle sheds, technical areas or shared charging infrastructures. Van der Mark: "This system measures the gas discharge that occurs when a battery swells or fails. This puts you there before an actual fire."

Fire-Fiber: safe solar panels 

New to SFT's portfolio is Fire-Fiber, intended for solar panel installations on roofs of distribution centers or parking garages. "We lay fiber along the entire cable route and around connectors, because 99.7% of fires occur at those connectors," Van der Mark says. "Our solution detects anomalies in temperature or behavior at the connector level, and it does so even before smoke or fire is visible."

Future regulations

Although specific legislation does not yet exist for mobile assets with lithium batteries, Van der Mark expects it to come soon. "Work is in progress to create a Dutch Technical Agreement (NTA) for light electric vehicles. Insurers are also on top of this. It makes sense: the risk of fire, environmental damage and collateral damage is high."

Leading edge in safety

According to Van der Mark, safety is relative. "But companies serious about fire prevention for electric vehicles and equipment would do well to invest in early detection now. Especially now that the used market for battery products is emerging, where the history of a battery pack is often unknown."

Smart Fire Technologies offers a concrete solution to a growing problem. For logistics companies that work with electric vehicles or solar panels on a daily basis, it could mean the difference between a minor malfunction and a major fire.