worksecure.be
EN
Knowledge platform for safety, health and sustainability at work
Electric vehicles, tools and equipment have become part and parcel of logistics. But with this 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 they are electric forklifts, excavators or GPU carts at airports, when these vehicles are stationary, 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 determination. “We can indicate at car park level which vehicle is at risk. This leaves time for action and limits collateral damage to the premises 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.
The Fire-Track system is specifically designed for vehicles. “We make a scan of the vehicle beforehand to determine where the first signs of battery problems become visible. At that spot, 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 required.
Fire-Watcher is the stationary brother of Fire-Track and targets areas 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.”
New to SFT's portfolio is Fire-Fibre, intended for solar panel installations on roofs of distribution centres or car parks. “We lay fibre along the entire cable route and around connectors, because 99.7% of fires occur at those connectors,” Van der Mark says. “Our solution detects deviations in temperature or behaviour at connector level, and that even before smoke or fire is visible.”
Although no specific legislation yet exists 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. Logical: the risk of fire, environmental damage and collateral damage is high.”
According to Van der Mark, safety is relative. “But companies serious about fire prevention in electric vehicles and equipment would do well to invest in early detection now. Especially now that the second-hand 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 working daily with electric vehicles or solar panels, it could mean the difference between a minor malfunction and a major fire.
Smart connect, always alert - Innovative cooperation for fire safety in lithium-ion batteries
Smart Fire Technologies is proud integration partner of Alert-Group in the field of fire safety for Lithium-ion battery packs in mobile assets. Given the increasing use and associated risks of Lithium-ion batteries, it is essential to develop innovative solutions that contribute to safety both preventively and reactively.
In this collaboration, an advanced data link has been established between Smart Fire Technologies' systems and the Alert Monitoring & Alarm centres. This link enables the companies to continuously and remotely monitor the status of Lithium-ion battery packs. Thus, abnormalities or incipient incidents can be spotted in good time, allowing for faster and more effective intervention.
The joint approach is dominated by the slogan: “Smartly connected, always alert”. This means that technology and safety go hand in hand, with the aim of minimising risks and ensuring the safety of people, the environment and resources.
In a fire incident, every second counts. Thanks to this cooperation, we can not only react faster, but also act more accurately. That makes all the difference when it comes to preventing escalation and protecting precious resources.
This integration represents an important step in achieving future-proof fire safety - available today.
