A battery module comprises a plurality of secondary battery cells arranged side-by-side; and a flame-retardant composition disposed atop the plurality of secondary battery cells; where the flame-retardant composition comprises a first composition and a second composition. The first composition comprises porous particles upon which are disposed a first metal catalyst particle and a first flame-retardant particle. The second composition comprises a fibrous composition that comprises a fibrous substrate upon which is disposed a second metal catalyst particle and a second flame-retardant particle.