Recycling fire system planned over battery fears

Biffa has applied for planning permission to install fire equipment at its waste transfer station at Tower lane, Eastleigh

A new fire prevention system is set to be installed at a recycling centre following a rise in fires caused by lithium batteries.

Operator Biffa has applied for planning permission to install the state-of-the-art equipment at its waste transfer station at Tower lane, Eastleigh.

It is designed to tackle fires where traditional sprinkler and spray systems are not as effective.

The move comes as lithium batteries, now found in a wide range of everyday products, continue to pose an increasing fire risk when incorrectly disposed of.

The new fire suppression and prevention system will require the installation of new plant and machinery at the facility in Tower Lane.

Fully automated, the system does not rely on human intervention to detect a fire.

It uses infrared heat detection cameras to monitor stockpiles and identify heat spots before they become visible.

If early signs of a fire were detected, the system would automatically deploy water cannons, allowing action to be taken before flames take hold.

A public consultation on the planning application runs from Friday until 19 December.

In the 12 months up to March 2025, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service recorded 156 incidents involving lithium batteries, an increase of 64 on the previous year.

Over the past three years, Portsmouth has experienced 39 battery-related fires. Southampton has seen 24 similar fires, while the Isle of Wight has recorded 18.

The batteries were found to be the likely cause of fire at a recycling centre in Portsmouth in 2024 which closed part of the M275 for a weekend.

It comes as Hampshire County Council has applied to extend temporary planning permission for two of its household waste recycling centres - at Fishery Lane, Hayling Island and at Casbrook near Romsey - for another ten years.

Lithium battery safety

• To check whether your device is safe, search the Electrical Safety First, external or GOV.UK website, external for product recalls and alerts.

• Any items that have a plug, use batteries, need charging, or have a picture of a crossed-out wheelie bin, should be recycled at Recycling Centres or via electrical retailers and not thrown in your household bin.

• Visit the Recycle Your Electricals site to find out where you can dispose of them safely.