Abstract: An apparatus for storing and/or charging lithium-ion batteries, the apparatus having one or more enclosures for receiving a battery, each of the enclosures having a common wall disposed between the top and the bottom of the enclosure, the common wall has openings that extend through it, a free-flowing granulate having fire extinguishing properties is associated with the common wall and a barrier formed from a material that disintegrates upon exposure to heat covers at least some of the common wall openings so that when a battery fire occurs, the barrier is caused to disintegrate and the granulate will pass through the common wall openings and onto the fire.