Abstract: Rechargeable lithium batteries can store a high amount of energy per unit of volume. The batteries, common in electric vehicles, can become heated and exhibit thermal runaway, affecting adjacent batteries and causing fires. Containment of lithium batteries to prevent the spread of fire is effected by a battery box or container coated with a heat-activated intumescent material. This can be in the form of a coating on one or more walls of the battery containment apparatus on a vehicle or in a shipping container; for storage and shipment of batteries the containment can be via an inner box enveloped by an outer box, with the heat-activated intumescent material filling the space between the boxes.

Abstract: Buildings, particularly high-rise buildings, are retrofitted with a fire resistant liquid-applied material, preferably a material that intumesces with heat, where the exterior of the building is formed of metal clad combustible foam composite panels. Once the fire resistant coating has been applied, new thin panels matching the original fascia are installed outside the original composite panels, with space between, so that the appearance of the building is maintained.