Firechief® Global has launched the FVB1 Fire-Protected Vape & Battery Disposal Bin. It provides organisations with a dedicated collection point for used vapes and batteries while taking lithium-ion battery fire risk into account.
Businesses, retailers, workplaces and campuses all need to consider what happens to used vapes and batteries after people discard them. This includes how they collect and store them, as well as how they pass them into appropriate recycling and disposal routes.
Used vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, so they need to be handled differently from general waste. Damage, incorrect disposal and inappropriate storage can introduce additional fire risk, particularly when quantities are collected together.
A practical approach to vape and battery disposal
The FVB1 provides a robust, dedicated collection point for used vapes and batteries.
The lockable steel unit incorporates automatic fire suppression. It also accepts a UN-approved 30-litre barrel directly inside the bin.
This allows the collection barrel to be removed as a complete unit. Loose vapes and batteries do not need to be transferred into another container.
A spring-loaded deposit hatch closes automatically after use. An internal chute then guides deposited items towards the collection barrel.
The FVB1 can also be configured to suit different site requirements, including branding and fixing options.
Putting the FVB1 to the test
As part of the FVB1’s development, Firechief® commissioned independent testing to understand how the unit would perform under defined fire-test conditions. A standard plastic bin was tested under the same conditions for comparison.
The difference between the two tests was clear. The FVB1 contained and suppressed the fire, sustained no structural damage. By comparison, the plastic bin was destroyed, burned freely for more than 90 minutes and produced burning projectiles.
Watch the FVB1 and standard plastic bin test video.
The testing does not mean that a fire cannot occur inside the FVB1. The unit has been developed to add a layer of protection while organisations continue to manage the placement, inspection, emptying and onward disposal of collected vapes and batteries appropriately.
The FVB1 is designed to add a layer of protection within those wider arrangements.
Developed for a changing waste stream
Laurie Pollard, Managing Director of Firechief® Global, said:
“Vapes have become part of the waste stream incredibly quickly, but dealing with them safely isn’t always straightforward.
“We wanted to develop something practical that gives organisations a clear place to collect them while taking the lithium-ion battery risk seriously. FVB1 is about bringing those two requirements together in a product that can work as part of an organisation’s wider waste and fire-safety arrangements.”
The FVB1 forms part of Firechief® Global’s work to help organisations understand and manage emerging lithium-ion battery fire risks. This includes education, testing and practical product development.
The Firechief® FVB1 is made to requirement, with a typical lead time of three to four weeks.
Find out more about the Firechief® FVB1, watch the independent burn test and request a quote.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for general information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional advice.
Before acting on the information provided, readers should check the relevant statutory and regulatory guidance. Where necessary, advice should also be sought from a qualified fire-safety or industry professional.
Any use of, or reliance on, the information in this blog is at the reader’s own risk.