- The First Extinguisher of its Kind!
- The Dangers of Lithium-ion Batteries
- Only the Lith-Ex Fire Extinguisher Can Stop Lithium-ion Battery Fires Fast
- Other Fire Extinguishers Won’t Put it Out
- Easy to Store, Easy to Access
- Why Do Lithium-ion Battery Fires Need A Dedicated Fire Extinguisher?
- Lithium Batteries are Used in More Electronics Than You Think
- Lithium Battery Fires Become Uncontrollable in Seconds
- FAQs
The world is changing fast. Developments in new technologies often occur before the means with which to deal with them effectively, should they go wrong, are discovered.
Lithium-ion batteries have been commonly used in electronics since the early 1990’s. It is only recently that the dangers of Lithium-ion batteries that fail have been fully experienced in commercially available electronics and the need for a dedicated type of extinguisher to contain the explosive reaction has been realised.
The First Extinguisher of its Kind!
Seton is the provider of health and safety solutions worldwide, so we naturally want to be at the forefront of new developments in health and safety technology, which is why we are proud to present to you the Lith-Ex fire extinguisher. The first fire extinguisher developed specifically to deal with explosive Lithium-ion battery fires fast and effectively.
The Dangers of Lithium-ion Batteries
We are all no doubt aware of the very well publicised case of Samsung mobile phone batteries that had a fault in their manufacturing process, that led to them exploding. This was a look at the very real possibility and danger inherent in all Lithium-ion batteries. Now, it is important to note that in general, these batteries are incredibly safe, they are created with a protection circuit that helps keep the various chemicals monitored for temperature and voltage peaks.
The problem is that when these batteries do fail, they fail spectacularly and in the most dangerous way possible.
No matter how remote the chance may be, the Samsung battery example shows that what is referred to as ‘thermal runaway’ has the potential to occur in any Lithium-ion battery and that it is extremely dangerous when it does occur.
With these batteries being used in more and more electronics, in planes and electric cars, it became clear that a means to deal with them effectively should they fail, had to be developed.
Only the Lith-Ex Fire Extinguisher Can Stop Lithium-ion Battery Fires Fast
It has long been known that for lithium metal fires only a class D extinguisher can be used, this is because using water creates a reaction with the lithium metal that actually makes the fire worse. With Lithium-ion battery fires however, most normal methods (Foam, CO2, Water) are acceptable, but not ideal. This is because of the unique way in which Lithium-ion battery fires occur, with one cell experiencing thermal runaway and then causing a chain reaction that eventually could lead to all the cells burning up and exploding.
With traditional methods of extinguishing fires used, the blaze may eventually be dealt with, but not in a timely or efficient manner.
Thermal runaway in action
Other Fire Extinguishers Won’t Put it Out
The Lith-Ex fire extinguisher uses a substance called Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD), a specially designed chemical compound that is far better than traditional methods when it comes to extinguishing Lithium-ion battery fires, it also has many advantages over them.
The AVD expresses as a mist to douse the fire and stop the thermal runaway reaction in seconds by creating an oxygen barrier that prevents re-ignition.
These extinguishers are manufactured in Great Britain in accordance with national safety requirements (BS 6165:2002) for aerosol extinguishers and can also be used as a class A fire extinguisher, for use on wood, paper and cloth as well as their intended function of stopping Lithium-ion battery fires.
Easy to Store, Easy to Access
They are lightweight and can be stored in vehicles, homes, used in the aviation and marine industries or in leisure facilities and hotels.
What makes this versatile extinguisher such a good alternative to traditional methods of extinguishing Lithium-ion battery fires is that AVD is a natural, mineral based substance that is completely environmentally friendly and stops the thermal runaway reaction before it can become out of control. Where other extinguishants will take time to stop the reaction from occurring, the AVD Lith-Ex fire extinguisher stops it dead, in seconds.
Tackles Lithium ion battery fires in:
The extinguishers that we offer are available in a range of sizes, from smaller, easily stored units to large extinguishers better suited for storage in buildings, at work places and industrial sites.
So, why is the Lith-Ex fire extinguisher needed now, more than ever?
Why Do Lithium-ion Battery Fires Need A Dedicated Fire Extinguisher?
First, a little background on lithium batteries themselves. It was only natural that lithium became the most sought after metal to use for creating batteries, it is the lightest of all metals and provides excellent energy density for its weight, it is however inherently unstable.
This is why development of this material for batteries changed to non-metallic lithium, using Lithium-ion instead. This is far safer than lithium metal but many precautions (especially in battery manufacturing) had to be met to ensure the discharging/charging cycle for the battery remained stable.
As with all things, these batteries, no matter how safe in practice they may be, can sometimes fail. And when they do, the results are often catastrophic.
Lithium Batteries are Used in More Electronics Than You Think
Lithium-ion batteries have become ubiquitous. Appearing in electronics ranging from e-cigarettes and hoverboards to cars, toys, power tools, almost every electrical appliance that can be mobile or handheld, where possible, is powered by a Lithium-ion battery, and why not? They are remarkably efficient and when manufactured under tight regulations, almost completely safe.
However what has started to happen in recent times is that in order to mass produce the batteries to meet the growing demands of various markets, safety regulations needed to create the batteries have become lax in certain sectors and for certain manufacturers.
Counterfeit and poorly manufactured batteries have flooded the market and due to not being manufactured to the highest standard as is the norm, there have been more instances of battery failure and thermal runaway.
Lithium Battery Fires Become Uncontrollable in Seconds
There have even been reports of power banks and phone batteries failing on aeroplanes mid-flight, causing the planes to undertake emergency landings.
In these cases, the fires have been such a high cause for concern that manufacturers have switched battery suppliers or brought in much stricter regulations. This occurs seemingly only after the fact and there remains the danger of poorly manufactured Lithium-ion batteries finding their way into household electronics, as they are used in a wider variety of applications.
It remains an unfortunate truth that by even dropping, or piercing a Lithium-ion battery, it could cause it to explode. The chances are small, of course, but the risk is still there. With a Lith-Ex fire extinguisher nearby, you will always be prepared.
FAQs
How do I put out a Lithium-ion battery fire?
Isolate the equipment that has caught fire if it is safe to do so. Usually a Lithium-ion battery fire starts slowly with bulging and hissing of the battery, signifying the beginning of thermal runaway. Use a Lith-Ex fire extinguisher to dowse the equipment in the AVD mist, this will extinguish it in seconds. As an alternative, since it will be an electronic fire also, you can use CO2 or Foam Fire Extinguishers from our extensive range of Fire Extinguishers, but caution is advised as they may not be effective at stopping re-ignition or completely halting thermal runaway.
What should I do if a Lithium-ion battery catches fire and I don’t have an extinguisher available?
As mentioned above, try to isolate the equipment as much as possible, move other flammable materials away from the battery. The reaction caused by thermal runaway can be explosive, however if left in isolation it will eventually burn itself out, this is less than ideal but it is important to know that without further fuel added a Lithium-ion battery fire will simply burn itself out.
What are the signs that a Lithium-ion battery is broken?
Look for bulging and hissing, this is the beginning of thermal runaway and indicates that the cells that usually keep the chemicals separate inside a Lithium-ion battery have degraded or failed. It will also begin leaking electrolyte which is highly flammable and will cause nearby materials to catch fire.
What is the difference between Lithium-metal and Lithium-ion?
Lithium-ion batteries contain only trace amounts of Lithium-metal which is why it is safe to use more traditional methods to extinguish them if necessary. Lithium-metal is a highly volatile substance and was used as a precursor to Lithium-ion batteries, it is used in older batteries and is rarely found in any newer technology. A Lithium-metal battery will be non-rechargeable and it is of the utmost importance to not use water to extinguish them, should they catch fire. This is because Lithium-metal becomes extremely unstable and potentially explosive when exposed to air and water.