Strengthening Lithium-Ion Battery & Dangerous Goods Safety for a Global Logistics Leader
DSV, one of the world’s leading logistics providers, engaged RSSM to conduct the lithium-ion battery storage risk assessment Australia project for its newly developed Altona, Melbourne facility. Due to the elevated fire and compliance risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, DSV required specialist expertise aligned with Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code requirements and local fire engineering expectations.
Following the successful assessment, RSSM was retained to provide ANZ-wide advisory support covering lithium-ion battery fire safety, warehouse storage compliance, emergency response planning, and broader Dangerous Goods compliance.
Li-ion batteries present unique and escalating risks in warehouse and logistics environments, including:
Thermal runaway and fire propagation
High-temperature battery fires requiring specialised suppression strategies
Toxic and flammable gas release
Complex segregation and storage requirements
Strict transport classification under the ADG Code
Regulatory notification and emergency services coordination
As customer demand for Li-ion battery (LiB) logistics expanded in Australia, DSV required:
Compliant LiB storage at scale
Alignment with Australian fire engineering standards
Clear emergency response procedures
Dangerous Goods classification and documentation support
Nationally consistent safety frameworks across ANZ sites
Hazard characterisation of lithium-ion battery failure modes
Thermal runaway propagation analysis
Warehouse storage and segregation assessment
Fire safety engineering recommendations
UL 9540A performance consideration review
Emergency response and isolation protocol development
DG storage classification and threshold analysis
Warehouse segregation mapping
Transport documentation compliance review
ADG Code alignment
Worker training requirement assessment
Development of standardised DG operating procedures
Following the initial lithium-ion battery storage risk assessment, RSSM was appointed under a retained consultancy model providing:
Continuous Dangerous Goods advisory services
Rapid-response technical support
New facility design review
Warehouse layout compliance assessment
National safety standardisation across ANZ
Through RSSM’s lithium-ion battery storage risk assessment and fire safety consultancy, DSV achieved:
Consistent lithium-ion battery storage compliance across ANZ
Improved warehouse fire safety resilience
Full alignment with Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code
Enhanced emergency response readiness
Reduced operational risk exposure
Increased confidence from regulators and insurers
Long-term technical advisory support
