Intervention in Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
As known, lithium-ion batteries can experience combustion or explosion in cases of manufacturing defects or improper usage.
The combustion and explosion of lithium-ion batteries are typically observed under the following circumstances:
- Short-circuiting or over-discharging the batteries with currents exceeding their capabilities,
- Physical damage such as crushing or puncturing the batteries,
- Using batteries in battery form without a Battery Management System (BMS),
- Charging the batteries beyond their recommended voltage limits,
- Dendrites formed during battery production or afterward causing internal short circuits in the electrodes.
All of these events can lead to excessive heating of the batteries, causing an event known as thermal runaway. Thermal runaway means the battery will continue to burn on its own even after all other factors are removed. Lithium-ion batteries contain flammable electrolyte fluid and oxygen-supporting components, exacerbating the situation.
In such cases, the most effective method to extinguish burning batteries is through cooling. Powder and gas-based fire extinguishers are generally ineffective in combating these fires.
In the event of a fire, the following actions should be taken promptly:
- Notify the fire department immediately,
- The person performing initial intervention should wear a gas mask and protective clothing against splashing,
- Ensure evacuation of everyone except the firefighting personnel (due to the harmful gases emitted during fires).
- Combat the fire with a suitable fire extinguisher designed for lithium fires.
- It’s crucial to remember that batteries will continue to burn from their core, so they should be placed in a fire extinguishing cabinet.
Our fire extinguishing cabinet is equipped with everything you may need for firefighting during emergencies.
The fire extinguishing solution inside has the capability to cool and discharge the batteries.
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