Preventing and Extinguishing Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

Lithium-ion batteries are used to power different products including e-bikes, cars, trucks, and e-scooters. Although the batteries are beneficial and have a high energy density, these products can catch fire during use, storage, or charging. The fires occur when the temperatures around the batteries rise to unsafe levels or due to physical problems that cause a short circuit.

Fires from lithium-ion batteries can have devastating consequences, including property destruction and fatalities. In 2023, in New York City alone, there were 268 lithium-ion battery-related fires that resulted in 150 injuries and 18 deaths.

The Dangers of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

Lithium ion-battery fires are more dangerous due to several factors that are related to the chemistry and the design of the batteries. Some of these factors include:

• High energy density, due to a large amount of energy being stored in a compact form, can cause fires that spread easily and are difficult to control.
• Thermal runaway can occur when the battery cell overheats, triggering a self-sustaining chain reaction that results in the release of stored energy.
• During these fires, flammable and toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen fluoride, are released.
• Chemical burns and explosions can occur when the electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries leaks.
• The fires are difficult to extinguish; conventional fire extinguishers are ineffective against lithium-ion battery fires.

Preventing Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

Prevention of lithium-ion battery fires is more efficient than putting them out once they occur. End-users need to understand the best practices that can help minimize the chances of a fire happening.

Proper Use and Maintenance

Proper use and maintenance of lithium-ion batteries ensures safety during use, storage, and charging. Some practices that can help prevent fires include:

• Using certified batteries and chargers. In New York City, the products should have the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark.
• Following manufacturer guidelines during use, storage, and charging. Overcharging the batteries or using them outside their recommended temperature ranges can increase the probability of a fire.
• Avoiding physical damage to the battery and disposing of damaged batteries appropriately.

Safe Storage

In order to prevent explosion of lithium-ion batteries, it is important for the end-user to store them appropriately.

• Store the batteries in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Store the batteries separately to prevent short circuits and use battery cases or covers if available.
• Avoid storing batteries in contact with metal objects to prevent short circuiting.

Disposal and Recycling

Dispose of used batteries at designated recycling centers and avoid throwing them in regular trash. New York City provides battery collection points. Disposing of batteries in these centers can help prevent fires due to explosion.

Extinguishing Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

Lithium-ion battery fires are not simple to put out using conventional methods. Thus, appropriate fire extinguishing methods must address the unique characteristics of these fires (such as the high energy density, thermal runaway, and the release of toxic gases). Some of the fire extinguishing methods that can meet these characteristics are:

• Using Class D fire extinguishers that are specifically designed for combustible metal fires. These fire extinguishers contain agents such as sodium chloride and powdered graphite that can smother the fire effectively.
• Using dry sand or metal fire extinguishing powder, which acts by covering the burning battery and cutting off oxygen supply.
• Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFFs) can be used to cool the fire and reduce the risk of spreading.

It is important to always remember to call the emergency response numbers in case of a fire to ensure proper response and mitigation. In extreme cases, such as in areas with high lithium-ion battery usage, such fires may require specialized fire extinguishers such as Lith-X Powder and Copper Powder. Both of these work by forming a crust over the burning battery and cutting off oxygen supply.

For more information about this topic, visit Walden’s previous blog here or contact us at 516-789-2972 to speak to a safety expert.