OK we’ve seen what scary stuff the fire does – How do we put it out?
Easy Question!…… but there is NO EASY ANSWER….Sorry!
If the object is small – like a phone or a vape, then we might try to put it out. Actually it won’t burn for long. But it will have burnt your hand and your leg or your table or the seat of your car or your Teddy Bear……
What about using a Fire extinguisher? Maybe throw a glass of water or even a bucket of water over it?… or drop it in a bucket of water, but then you have to pick it up somehow when its burning. Dropping it into a bucket of water will contain it, but still there will gases, and it might not extinguish the fire and probably will reignite when you take it out.
Lets go back to the FIRE TRIANGLE to work out IF we can kill a Li-ion Fire.
Hang with me here! First the simple fires –
For a simple fire like burning cooking oil in a pan on a cooker, or a waste paper basket with a lighted cigarette thrown into it, we can use the fire triangle to show (what we already know intuitively – I know you know!!).
The cooking oil in the pan is more dangerous because it is a liquid burning which can flow if not contained in the pan
Putting water on the hot oil can be catastrophic. The hot oil is not extinguished by the water, because the oil floats on water. The water sinks to the bottom of the hot pan where it rapidly boils and vaporises, and then expands explosively, ejecting vaporised, burning oil over a large area increasing the size of the fire by maybe 10-100 times.
Removing the source of heat is not the answer. The heat generated by burning will sustain it.
The only safe and immediate way is to place a lid (preferably not flammable!) on the burning pan, which will immediately prevent oxygen reaching the fire which will die quickly.
….. so how on earth are we going to put it out?
Water is almost completely ineffective. Water could eventually extinguish it but it will require a huge amount of water, and when the water stops the fire can re-ignite, in extreme cases, weeks later.
The ‘fuel’ gases are generated inside metal (battery) cans or pouches, so the source of heat is ‘sealed’ and cannot easily be cooled with water spray. In an EV they also are contained in a metal battery pack, which makes external cooling water even less effective.
And most other specialised powder or CO₂ extinguishers are too specialised. A Lithium-ion Battery fire involves ALL of the first three Classes of Fire –
Class A Flammable Solids
Class B Flammable Liquids
Class C Flammable Gases
No single extinguisher is The ‘Right’ one
Note:
Contrary to what you can read in many places, a Lithium-ION battery has no Metallic Lithium in it. This means that it is not a Flammable Metal Fire and a Class D extinguisher has no purpose.
Maybe we have to forget about putting the Fire out, and accept that we cannot.
Maybe it is time to get more serious about avoiding a Lithium-ion Battery fire in the first place.
To help people enjoy their many lithium-ion battery powered devices safely, FSRI’s new safety campaign offers consumers easy steps to Take C.H.A.R.G.E
- Choose Certified Products: When purchasing lithium-ion battery-powered devices, look for products that are listed or safety certified and approved by a national testing laboratory.
- Handle with Care: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use only the charger that came with the product. Do not modify or exchange batteries or chargers. Store and charge batteries away from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, exits, and anything flammable. Charge larger devices (such as e-bikes) away from your exit path, behind a closed door, away from your sleeping area and/or outside your home, if possible. Do not charge larger devices overnight.
- Always Stay Alert for Warning Signs: Check battery-powered devices often, for damage or abuse such as swelling or punctures. Listen for unusual hissing or popping sounds. Watch out for excessive heat or a strange smell. White or grey wispy smoke indicates there is immediate danger of fire.
- Recycle Batteries Properly: Responsibly dispose of old or damaged batteries at the nearest battery recycling centre. Never discard batteries, chargers, or battery-powered devices in regular trash bins.
- Get Out Quickly If There’s a Fire: Know the warning signs to look and listen for and get out if you see – or hear them. Follow your fire escape plan to leave, closing doors behind you as you go, and call your Fire Service.
- Educate Others in Safe Practices: Help protect your friends and loved ones by teaching how they can Take C.H.A.R.G.E of Battery Safety.
The Take C.H.A.R.G.E.Campaign, shown here slightly edited, (without permission, but hoping they will not mind) is a joint effort by FSRI, USFA, CPSC and ATF to raise public awareness, with the endorsement of FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.
FINALLY – Don’t get hung up on putting the fire out.
** Don’t let it start **
Buy quality (Choose well) – don’t let the batteries overheat – unplug when charged – don’t charge unattended.
Think what it will look like if your item bursts into flames …. try to charge in a NON-flammable space – like a tiled hallway (or bathroom!) – or outside the house or room.
Vapes – DON’T modify them – don’t keep Vapes or Batteries in you pocket (get a VapeTote from us) – use the original charger – charge on a hard NON-flammable surface.
Cell phones – don’t let them get hot – use a cellphone charger for a cellphone – charge on a hard NON-flammable surface – don’t charge beside your head.
Laptops – don’t use on a soft surface – carpet, bed, cushion – don’t leave in the sun – unplug when charged – don’t charge unattended.
E-Scooters and E-bikes – Charge outdoors if possible – don’t charge in your bedroom – don’t charge near your exit – don’t leave on charge unattended, or all night.
EV’s – Don’t worry too much. If you want to protect another car next to your EV when charging, get a car fire blanket to cover the EV. Sprinklers will do nothing.
Don’t get too stressed about ‘Everything blowing up‘…… it won’t. Remember, the UL reckons that only – 1 Battery in 1 million Lithium-ion Batteries catches fire and explodes.
BUT, with millions of Batteries ‘out there’, it COULD happen to you. This is why we say –
Learn to LIVE with Li-ion
Live as if it can happen – Live SMART so it won’t
in Association with 
