Lithium-ion battery fires and associated risks

As reported by CTIF, the 2024 Urban Fire Forum (UFF) position statement highlights the increasing danger posed by lithium-ion battery (LIB) fires.

With the global reliance on energy storage systems growing, LIB fires are becoming more frequent.

The fires produce harmful contaminants, including hydrogen fluoride, heavy metals, and a variety of toxic gases.

While firefighters’ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) offers some protection, these chemicals can persist on the gear, leading to long-term exposure risks.

The UFF position statement underscores the need for improved decontamination methods.

LIB fires create hazardous conditions where standard cleaning may be insufficient to remove persistent contaminants from firefighter PPE, raising safety concerns for those exposed.

Decontamination procedures for firefighter safety

The UFF recommends a combination of advanced and specialised decontamination procedures to address the contaminants produced by LIB fires.

Routine cleaning, though essential, may not fully eliminate the risks posed by chemicals that persist on PPE.

The report suggests the use of CO2 dry cleaning or enhanced advanced cleaning methods, depending on the level of contamination.

A step-by-step decision-making approach is recommended to determine whether routine, advanced, or specialised cleaning is necessary.

Factors to consider include the fire environment, firefighter exposure, and the severity of contamination.

The importance of ongoing research and standards development

The UFF position statement calls for ongoing research and technological advancements in cleaning systems for firefighter PPE.

High-performance cleaning systems, such as enhanced CO2 dry cleaning, are highlighted as more effective but are currently limited in accessibility.

The UFF suggests that grants or regional cleaning facilities could help broaden the availability of these technologies across fire departments.

The position statement also encourages active participation in the development of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards to ensure that firefighter PPE decontamination processes are updated in line with emerging risks.

Recommendations for fire departments

Fire departments are urged to assess the contamination levels in their PPE after LIB fire incidents and adopt enhanced cleaning technologies where appropriate.

The UFF advises that preliminary decontamination on the scene should be followed by advanced cleaning methods to limit firefighters’ exposure to persistent contaminants.

Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of collaboration among fire departments to share best practices and lessons learned from handling LIB fire contamination.

Some fire departments have already found that routine cleaning may not fully remove certain contaminants, necessitating specialized approaches.

Firefighter PPE decontamination stressed at 2024 Urban Fire Forum due to lithium-ion battery fire risks: Summary

The 2024 Urban Fire Forum’s position statement emphasises the growing concern over lithium-ion battery (LIB) fires and their impact on firefighter safety.

These fires release harmful contaminants that can persist on PPE, posing long-term exposure risks.

The statement calls for enhanced decontamination methods, including advanced cleaning technologies like CO2 dry cleaning, to address these hazards.

Fire departments are encouraged to implement rigorous cleaning processes and consider participating in ongoing research and standards development.

The UFF also highlights the need for broader access to high-performance cleaning systems, potentially through grants or regional facilities, to ensure that firefighters’ gear is properly decontaminated following exposure to LIB fires.