Battling lithium-ion battery fires with CheckFire
Iain Hoey
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Daniel Robins, Projects Director at CheckFire, discusses managing the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires in the fire trade industry
In 2023, UK fire services saw a 46% increase in fires linked to lithium-ion batteries compared to the previous year, and it’s now recognised in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 that lithium-ion batteries need to be considered in all fire risk assessments in the UK.
This alarming rise highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures throughout the industry and the fire trade to stock effective lithium-ion battery fire safety equipment.
Understanding thermal runaway
But first, it’s important to understand the causes of these unique fires to ensure the utmost safety.
Lithium-ion battery fires are the result of thermal runaway.
This is an uncontrollable, self-heating state that can only be stopped by removing heat or interrupting the chemical reactions within the battery.
This dangerous condition occurs when a battery’s temperature reaches around 60°C, releasing large amounts of toxic and flammable gases, resulting in a sharp rise in temperature.
Shortly thereafter, these gases can cause the battery to burst and ignite, rapidly spreading the fire to adjacent cells and can lead to widespread fires in surrounding areas.
Several factors can trigger thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries.
Overcharging is a common cause, as continuously charging a battery beyond its capacity can lead to overheating and failure.
Exposure to extreme temperatures, whether high or low, can also adversely affect lithium-ion batteries, increasing risk of thermal runaway.
Physical damage, such as crushing or puncturing, compromises the battery’s integrity and can lead to catastrophic failure.
Additionally, manufacturing defects or low-quality components are more likely to fail and cause fires.
Incorrect storage, especially in hot or humid conditions, and improper disposal, such as throwing batteries in regular waste bins or incinerating them, further elevate the risk of thermal runaway.
To mitigate these risks, it’s essential to implement robust fire safety measures and best practices for handling lithium-ion batteries, such as opting for high-quality products from reputable brands to ensure that batteries meet safety standards and have undergone rigorous testing.
Avoiding overcharging by following manufacturer’s recommendations and unplugging devices once fully charged is crucial.
Monitoring temperature and keeping devices (and spare batteries) out of direct sunlight and hot environments, as well as refraining from using them in extremely cold conditions, helps prevent overheating.
Protecting devices from physical damage with protective cases or covers, and handling all lithium-ion batteries with care, is vital.
Regularly inspecting devices for signs of wear and tear, such as swollen batteries or cracks, and consulting manufacturers or professional technicians for repair or replacement when needed, ensures safety.
Responsibly disposing of old or damaged batteries at designated recycling centres can also prevent thermal runaway and the associated fire risks.
By understanding the causes of thermal runaway and implementing these preventive measures, the fire trade industry can better protect against the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires.
However, despite the utmost caution, incidents can still occur, making the availability of appropriate fire safety equipment to tackle these fires essential.
While standard water fire extinguishers can cool lithium-ion battery packs and halt the thermal runaway process, they require high volumes of water to be effective.
The challenge lies in delivering sufficient cooling power through a portable fire extinguisher with a limited supply.
Introducing CommanderEDGE LFX
To address this growing risk, CheckFire has launched its new CommanderEDGE LFX lithium-ion battery fire extinguisher range.
To design and manufacture the LFX fire extinguisher, extensive research was conducted to understand how lithium-ion battery fires start and how to extinguish them thoroughly.
The LFX fire extinguisher is designed specifically for lithium-ion battery fires.
LFX is endothermic; its water[1]based extinguishing agent has a foam-like texture that sticks to the surface of a battery for a lot longer than a regular liquid would.
This hugely increases its ability to draw heat out of the cells of the battery, reducing the temperature and halting thermal runaway in its early stages.
Features and benefits
As an effective water-based fire extinguishing agent, LFX excels in putting out flames.
LFX is endothermic and has exceptional heat-absorbing properties that break down the chain reaction in thermal runaway and prevent other cells from heating.
It cools the cells that have already ignited, and those that have not yet exploded.
The LFX fire extinguisher range is 100% fluorine-free and non[1]corrosive.
It is the latest addition to The Green Range which offers the fire trade the option of more sustainable fire safety solutions.
NTA 8133 is the first viable and standardised publication of testing for portable fire extinguishers on lithium-ion battery fires with medium capacities up to 600 Wh.
The LFX 6ltr and 9ltr fire extinguishers are NTA 8133 approved.
The LFX range also boasts high-performance A-class ratings to tackle peripheral fires, with the 3ltr achieving 13A, the 6ltr attaining 27A and 34A on the 9ltr.
By leveraging these advanced features, the LFX fire extinguisher effectively stops thermal runaway, extinguishes the fire, and prevents other cells from igniting.
Incorporating the CommanderEDGE LFX lithium-ion battery fire extinguisher into your fire safety plan is a proactive step towards enhancing safety measures.
With the increasing prevalence of lithium[1]ion batteries, having the right fire extinguisher on hand is essential for protecting people and property, ensuring full compliance with safety standards.
