Large storage system batteries can release dangerous amounts of hydrogen fluoride gas (HF) if a thermal runaway fire occurs. It sounds as if it is caused by thermal degradation of the PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) binder in the cathode. These are computed scenarios, but do firefighters need to know more chemistry now?
Battery fire in the data center: Study simulates high hydrogen fluoride contamination
Singapore – A technical study published on July 31, 2026, examines a battery fire in a 485.52 kWh NMC storage system at the Equinix SG4-4A data center. The researchers modeled 10,000 cases of a complete thermal runaway and took into account ventilation, extinguishing and the division of the storage tank. In all simulations, hydrogen fluoride exposure exceeded the NIOSH hazard value for concentrations that are immediately hazardous to life or health. However, there were no real victims or damage, because the investigation mathematically maps a possible accident scenario. Therefore, the study focuses on the effect of technical protection systems.
Battery fire releases toxic hydrogen fluoride
A thermal runaway occurs when a battery cell heats up in a self-reinforcing manner and triggers further chemical reactions. In the process, neighboring cells can also fail, while toxic and flammable gases are produced. In the NMC cells studied, this includes hydrogen fluoride, or HF for short. NIOSH sets the IDLH threshold for HF at 25 milligrams per cubic meter, or 30 ppm. Therefore, a quick evacuation of closed battery compartments is crucial.
The simulation calculated an average of 1,161 milligrams of HF per cubic metre for ten minutes of exposure in the one-room model. In the two-room model, the value dropped to 580 milligrams, but remained well above the IDLH threshold. A battery fire of this magnitude could therefore make the affected room inaccessible to emergency services without suitable respiratory protection. The mean time to fall below the limit value fell from 599 to 301 minutes as a result of the split. Even the cheaper concept thus took around five hours mathematically.
Singapore – A technical study published on July 31, 2026, examines a battery fire in a 485.52 kWh NMC storage system at the Equinix SG4-4A data center. The researchers modeled 10,000 cases of a complete thermal runaway and took into account ventilation, extinguishing and the division of the storage tank. In all simulations, hydrogen fluoride exposure exceeded the NIOSH hazard value for concentrations that are immediately hazardous to life or health. However, there were no real victims or damage, because the investigation mathematically maps a possible accident scenario. Therefore, the study focuses on the effect of technical protection systems.
Battery fire releases toxic hydrogen fluoride
A thermal runaway occurs when a battery cell heats up in a self-reinforcing manner and triggers further chemical reactions. In the process, neighboring cells can also fail, while toxic and flammable gases are produced. In the NMC cells studied, this includes hydrogen fluoride, or HF for short. NIOSH sets the IDLH threshold for HF at 25 milligrams per cubic meter, or 30 ppm. Therefore, a quick evacuation of closed battery compartments is crucial.
The simulation calculated an average of 1,161 milligrams of HF per cubic metre for ten minutes of exposure in the one-room model. In the two-room model, the value dropped to 580 milligrams, but remained well above the IDLH threshold. A battery fire of this magnitude could therefore make the affected room inaccessible to emergency services without suitable respiratory protection. The mean time to fall below the limit value fell from 599 to 301 minutes as a result of the split. Even the cheaper concept thus took around five hours mathematically.
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