Firechief Global is pleased to announce that it has signed two new Authorised Distributors for its Firechief Lithium-ion Battery Safety Range (LBR) - safety supply company SafetyBuyer (UK) Ltd and Ferndale Fire who are based in the Republic of Ireland.
The Firechief Lithium-ion Battery Safety Range includes Lith-Ex Extinguishers, Heavy Duty Lithium Battery Fire Blankets, Fire Suppression Kits, PyroFlow Active and Passive Fire Suppression Granules and Fire-Resistant Containers which are designed for the safe storage and transit of Lithium batteries and the smaller devices which contain them.
Kevin Rowe, Joint Managing Director at SafetyBuyer said: ‘We are about to finish our 10th year in business and have worked with Sentura since our very first day. We make a great team as our service ethos and values are the same and continuing to work with a trusted supplier to bring new solutions to our customers and find new customers too, is core business at its most productive.
‘We’re particularly keen to be offering solutions that respond to new workplace or site hazards and the research and development Sentura have invested into battery safety, will provide us with many new opportunities as one of their battery safety range distributors’.
Firechief Global’ s Managing Director Laurie Pollard commented: “All the companies who join our network of authorised Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range distributors have been selected to provide our product range with new routes to market. In return, distributors receive a package of product training and sales and marketing support to help ensure their success. We look forward to working with all of them in growing awareness and sales of this exciting product range.”
For further information about Lithium-ion battery fires and details of the Firechief LBR range and Authorised Distributors, visit our website, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Firechief Global is pleased to announce that it has signed two new Authorised Distributors for its Firechief Lithium-ion Battery Safety Range (LBR) – safety supply company SafetyBuyer (UK) Ltd and […]
Firechief Global, the UK’s leading brand in battery safety has added a new product to its Lithium-Ion Battery Safety range.
Lithium-ion Battery Safety Product
Firechief PyroFlow is a mineral-based extinguishing agent that is non-toxic and eco-friendly and can be used to fight and prevent fires in metal, lithium-ion battery cells and combustible liquids.
Manufactured from low grade waste glass recycled into lightweight, aerated spherical granules, Firechief PyroFlow Active is an effective extinguishing agent that instantly smothers problematic Lithium-Ion battery fires in seconds. In the event of a fire, the entire bag can be placed onto the visible flames, to rapidly smother, cool and contain any blaze or alternatively the PyroFlow granules can be poured onto the flames to douse them.
Firechief PyroFlow Passive is a tried-and-tested solution as a packing media for controlling the risk of storing and transporting Lithium-Ion batteries – including damaged or recycled batteries which may leak electrolyte - by land, air, or sea.
Firechief PyroFlow Passive granules range from 1-4mm in diameter and come packaged in convenient 12 kg bags, while Firechief PyroFlow Active granules are smaller at 0.25 - 0.5mm diameter and are packaged in 17 kg bags.
The Launch
Commenting on the launch of PyroFlow, Firechief’s Managing Director Laurie Pollard said: ‘Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries feature in almost every part of our daily life. They power our smartphones, personal devices, laptops, e-bikes and e-scooters, electric vehicles and more. However, in the event of malfunction, they can also represent a serious fire risk.
‘ We are excited to introduce PyroFlow to the market. It is a cost-effective, easy-to-store and eco-friendly solution to the ever-growing risk Lithium-Ion batteries pose in today’s world. Organisations and environments at risk from Lithium-Ion battery fires include:
- the fire and rescue services;
- courier services and logistics providers;
- recycling centres and consumer recycling points;
- bus, train, ferry and air transport operators and passenger hubs; and
- electric vehicle, e-scooter and e-bike manufacturers and retailers’.
In 2021, the London Fire Brigade attended 104 fires involving Lithium-ion batteries. 44 caused by e-bikes, 28 caused by e-scooters and 32 other Li-ion battery events including mobile phones and laptops.1 The Brigade’s data for 2020 also suggests the fire incident rate for electric cars is 0.1%. This is more than double that for petrol and diesel vehicles.2
In the UK, Lithium-ion batteries in domestic and business waste are responsible for an estimated 201 fires a year. That’s 48% of all waste fires costing the UK economy £158m per annum.3
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
Sources
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London Evening Standard
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Fleet News
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Eunomia and the Environmental Services Association (ESA): Cutting Lithium-ion Battery Fires in the Waste Industry, Jan 2021
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Firechief Global, the UK’s leading brand in battery safety has added a new product to its Lithium-Ion Battery Safety range. Lithium-ion Battery Safety Product Firechief PyroFlow is a mineral-based extinguishing agent […]
Firechief Global is delighted to announce that it has signed two more Authorised Distributors for its Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range (LBR); Fire Safe Fire Protection of Northern Ireland and national fire and security solutions provider, EDSB.
The Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range includes Lith-Ex Extinguishers, Heavy Duty Lithium Battery Fire Blankets, Fire Suppression Kits and Fire-Resistant Containers which are designed for the safe storage and transit of Lithium batteries and the smaller devices which contain them.
Hugh Doyle, Managing Director at Fire Safe Fire Protection said; ‘Fire Safe are delighted to become the Northern Ireland distributor partner for the Firechief LBR range. We have worked with Sentura Group for over 20 years and have found their Firechief Lithium-ion Battery Safety Range is exceptional in terms of performance and value. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used by our customers powering electronic devices, power tools, electric vehicles and for electric power storage. Adding the Firechief range of environmentally friendly Lith-Ex extinguishers, suppression kits containers and blankets will help provide our clients with a fire safety solution to the potential dangers where Lithium batteries are stored or charged. We are very excited to become their partner in Northern Ireland.’
Firechief Global’s Managing Director Laurie Pollard commented: “The companies who join our network of authorised Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range distributors have been selected to provide our product range with new routes to market. In return, distributors receive a package of product training and sales and marketing support to help ensure their success. We look forward to working with all of them in growing awareness and sales of this exciting product range.”
For further information about Lithium battery fires and details of the Firechief LBR range and Authorised Distributors, visit our website Lithium Battery Safety Range – Firechief Global
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Firechief Global is delighted to announce that it has signed two more Authorised Distributors for its Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range (LBR); Fire Safe Fire Protection of Northern Ireland and […]
How to mitigate the risk of a Lithium-Ion battery fire
Insurance companies such as Zurich and Aviva have become much more aware of Lithium-Ion battery fire risks and report a significant uplift in related claims over the last 3 years.
Preventative measures:
- Treat lithium-ion batteries and the devices which contain them, with the respect they deserve. Protect the batteries against being damaged through crushing, puncturing or immersion in water as this increases the risk of fire
- Always use the charger that came with your device. If you need to buy a replacement, choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust.
- Avoid storing, using, or charging lithium-ion batteries at very high or very low temperatures
- Don't leave items continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete, e.g., don't leave your devices plugged in overnight.
- Battery experts recommend that a good charging range is from 20 percent up to 80 percent and then recharge from 20 percent back to 80 percent. Lithium-ion batteries don't perform well when they are constantly charged from 1-2% up to 100% and back again
- Ensure that wherever you charge a device, you still have a clear exit from the room or property in case of fire
- Never charge a device such as a mobile phone under items such as pillows. Lithium-ion batteries need to be kept within a good temperature range, with good circulation of air around them. Always charge them on a hard surface.
- When you travel, avoid keeping all your items containing lithium-ion batteries together, especially on a plane
Containment measures:
- Stop using the battery and/or charger if the temperature of either (or both) rises more than 10ºC (18ºF) on a regular charge.
- If a Lithium-ion battery overheats, hisses, or bulges, immediately move the device with the battery away from flammable materials and place it on a non-combustible surface. If at all possible, put the battery safely outdoors to burn out.
- Bear in mind that moving a battery which has gone into thermal runaway can cause re-ignition and the combustion process to start again for up to 10 hours after it started. Specialist products such as the Firechief Heavy Duty Lithium-ion Battery Fire blanket help to stop the spread and contain the fire.
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
Other resources
If you would like to find out more about Lithium-ion batteries and why they are a fire risk, explore our other interesting articles below.
What causes Li-ion battery fires?
What is AVD and how does it work?
Which safety products do I need?
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]How to mitigate the risk of a Lithium-Ion battery fire Insurance companies such as Zurich and Aviva have become much more aware of Lithium-Ion battery fire risks and report a […]
How can the public be educated on the risks of Lithium-Ion batteries?
There is a real and urgent need for local authorities and refuse organisations to run education campaigns to help the public understand that discarding batteries in their general waste is a dangerous fire hazard. If batteries, or electricals containing batteries such as mobile phones, laptops, and e- cigarettes, end up inside bins or recycling lorries with other materials, they are then crushed in the waste and recycling process. This increases the chance that the battery could be punctured and self-combust, - a process which is called Thermal Runaway - becoming a real risk that it will set fire to surrounding dry and flammable waste and recycling.
Clearly these fires have the potential to endanger both the public and waste truck operators by causing fires on streets, and waste centres across the UK, while costing local councils millions of pounds. One refuse handing organisation has reported losing three Refuse Collection Vehicles in last 12 months alone due to fires started by lithium-ion batteries in discarded devices.
According to the Environmental Services Association (ESA), 48 per cent of all waste fires in the UK each year are caused by Lithium-ion batteries, costing £158 million annually to waste operators, fire services and the environment. This fire risk is increasing all the time, so it is especially important for education on this type of fire to be given.
Research also found that as many as 45 per cent of householders are unaware of the fire risk if they don't safely dispose of batteries, with a quarter of householders unsafely throwing them away. In addition, 40 per cent of householders are unaware of any information regarding how they should safely recycle their batteries (Material Focus).
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
Other resources
If you would like to find out more about Lithium-ion batteries and why they are a fire risk, explore our other interesting articles below.
What causes Li-ion battery fires?
What is AVD and how does it work?
Which safety products do I need?
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]How can the public be educated on the risks of Lithium-Ion batteries? There is a real and urgent need for local authorities and refuse organisations to run education campaigns to […]
What are the fire risks associated with electric vehicles?
The question of the safety of charging electric vehicles (EVs) in underground car parks proved to be of particular concern. Some commercial property owners asked why their Fire Risk Assessments haven't flagged this as a significant risk, while others have voiced the opinion that the UK should follow the practice of some European countries and ban EVs from charging in sub-basement car parks.
Although it is true that there have been several fires reported, there is not yet enough data to evidence how much of a problem this may become. However, good practice would be to avoid installing underground car park charging points if possible and site them in the open instead - but not close to any escape routes, or areas which could impede safe evacuation. It is recommended that EV charging points at workplaces should not be sited near assembly points or flammable storage tanks, etc.
This in turn brings up the bigger question of the safety of installing high voltage charge points in close proximity to buildings and other infrastructure. This is becoming an increasing concern for property insurers, and it is important that organisations give careful consideration as to where charging points are located. According to insurance broker and risk advisors, Marsh, failure to do so could result in requests from insurers for charge points to be relocated, incurring significant expense and ultimately insurers could even limit or refuse cover where clients decline to relocate charge points.
It is clear that proper standards are needed around the siting of charge points in general but in the meantime, Marsh have provided the following guidelines:
- Notify your insurers that you intend to install charging points and undertake a fire risk assessment.
- Locate charging points externally where possible instead of under canopies or inside other enclosed areas of the building. For multi-storey car parks, charging points should be installed only on the open air/roof/top deck, whenever possible.
- No charging should be undertaken within 10 metres of any combustible materials or within 15 metres of hazardous installations
- Ensure the nominated charging area provides suitable space for vehicles to park and connect safely.
- Ensure there is sufficient electrical infrastructure for the electrical supply at the point of installation. The circuit should be dedicated to the use of the chargers, and not be part of a ring main or used for other purposes.
- Provide employees or tenants with adequate training covering the safe use of such chargers.
The storage of electric bikes at places of work and residential buildings is also worth mentioning here. According to RISC, whenever possible, electrically assisted bicycles should be stored and charged outside the premises, ideally in a secure detached single storey structure.
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
Other resources
If you would like to find out more about Lithium-ion batteries and why they are a fire risk, explore our other interesting articles below.
What causes Li-ion battery fires?
What is AVD and how does it work?
Which safety products do I need?
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.
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What fire risk do e-cigarettes carry?
E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly common, with many converting to their usage from normal cigarettes thanks to their lack of tobacco and the variety of flavours that are also available. However, while they don't use flames, they are still identified as a major fire risk due to the lithium-ion batteries inside them.
Incompatible chargers are a huge fire risk when it comes to e-cigarettes. They are usually found to be cheaper and potentially easier to get your hands on. However, these can result in the batteries exploding or the e-cigarette overheating which can cause a fire almost immediately.
When it comes to charging your e-cigarette:
- Only use the charger that came with the product
- Do NOT charge it overnight
- Unplug once it is fully charged
In regard to the batteries inside your e-cigarette:
- Never let the battery come into contact with metal items e.g. coins, keys
- Do not mix a battery from one supplier to another
- Dispose of carefully
- Store removable and spare batteries in a plastic case to prevent accidental contact
It is important that you buy the right equipment, London Fire Brigade have advised to only buy vape equipment and chargers new, from reputable sellers, only use batteries recommended for your specific device as not all batteries are suitable.
Our Firechief Lithium-ion Battery Safety Range includes Lithium-ion Battery Fire Extinguishers, fire blankets, suppression kits and fire resistant containers, these products are designed to put out and keep out Lithium-ion battery fires. For more guidance on what to use on certain applications, see our product selector.
Other resources
If you would like to find out more about Lithium-ion batteries and why they are a fire risk, explore our other interesting articles below.
What causes Li-ion battery fires?
What is AVD and how does it work?
Which safety products do I need?
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home, leisure & commercial applications. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.
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The London Fire Brigade has backed Transport for London's ban on private e-scooters, which prevents them from being taken in to the capital's transport network.
Following a few incidents of privately own e-scooters catching fire on TfL services, a review took place by TfL which found that the incidents that occurred were caused by defective lithium-ion batteries which ruptured without warning, leading to fires that caused toxic smoke to be released therefore if this was to happen again and fires occurred in an enclosed area like a tube train there could be significant harm to all on board.
On Monday 13th December 2021, the ban was put in place and customers with these devices are not permitted to enter any of TfL's network or travel on any of its services including the tube, buses, overground etc.
This issue has been a growing concern with the fire brigade for some time, in 2021 firefighters in England attended more than 50 blazes as a result of e-scooters or e-bikes in comparison to 2020 which saw half that amount for the whole year! This prompted London Fire Brigade to issue an urgent safety warning.
Paul Jennings, Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, London Fire Brigade, said "We have growing concerns about the safety of e-scooters and e-bikes due to the amount of fires we are seeing involving them, so we fully support TfL's ban of private e-scooters on public transport.'
Explore our website to learn more about Lithium battery fire risks and the Lithium battery safety products suitable for E-scooters and E-bikes.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]The London Fire Brigade has backed Transport for London’s ban on private e-scooters, which prevents them from being taken in to the capital’s transport network. Following a few incidents of […]
Insurance company, Aviva is warning their customers to take extra care when charging electrical devices after multiple home fire claims have been made caused by both chargers and batteries during 2021.
According to Aviva, "multiple home fire claims this year have been linked to faulty, damaged, or incorrect chargers, or items which were left to charge for too long. Aviva found a common cause of components over-heating, leading to fires in the home and in many cases, damage was exacerbated because customers had put items to charge and then left their homes, enabling fires to take hold.".
Claims made included:
- A fire where an e-scooter battery had been left on charge in a garage, costing £150,000
- A fire believed to be caused by an e-cigarette battery exploding, costing £140,000
Lithium-ion batteries are becoming more and more popular in everyday life, with the majority of us carrying round a Lithium battery being our phone! These batteries are therefore an ever-growing risk that we need to get under control. There has been an increase in awareness of the risks they post over the last 3 years, and they are now being recognised as a serious fire risk by insurance companies.
Further to this, insurance firm Zurich said they have seen claims for Lithium battery blazes triple over three years, with majority being caused by defective batteries, incorrect chargers or items being left on charge for too long. Batteries bought off the internet cheaply, do not always meet safety standards and therefore are also to blame.
If you are unsure as to which product you need to protect the risk you have posed by a Lithium battery, take a look at our product selector on our website. This will allow you to identify which product/s best suited to manage your particular Lithium battery fire risk.
So how does our Lithium Battery Safety Range protect you from the risk of fire?
Our range offers you the peace of mind that if a fire was to break out you have the extinguishers to be able to put it out and keep it out. See the full Lithium-ion Battery Safety Range.
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
Other resources
If you would like to find out more about Lithium-ion batteries and why they are a fire risk, explore our other interesting articles below.
What causes Li-ion battery fires?
What is AVD and how does it work?
Which safety products do I need?
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader's risk.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Insurance company, Aviva is warning their customers to take extra care when charging electrical devices after multiple home fire claims have been made caused by both chargers and batteries during […]
Electrical items pose some major fire risks that many of us may leave ourselves open to without realising it. Lithium-ion batteries are a common part of everyday life, at home and at work. They are used in power tools, computers, personal devices, scooters and bikes, cars, and much more. The dangers they pose are prominent as Lithium-ion battery fire hazards can be caused by physical impact, overheating, internal cell failure, short circuits, or manufacturing defects.
The London Fire Brigade attend on average 24 fires each week that have been started by chargers, batteries, and cables.
When it comes to putting out a Lithium-Ion Battery fire there is only one extinguisher that will fully extinguish the fire, the Firechief Lith-Ex Extinguisher. This extinguisher contains Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD), a revolutionary fire extinguishing agent. The water content of the extinguisher cools the fire source, while the Vermiculite platelets encapsulate the fuel source creating a thermal barrier, this is to prevent the propagation of the fire. The Vermiculite film is not electrically conductive. AVD is nearly twice as effective as water on Class A fires and is environmentally friendly.
How to stay safe
London Fire Brigade recommend the following safety advice when charging your devices:
- Always use the charger that came with your phone, tablet, or e-cigarette
- If you need to buy a replacement, always choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust. There are a lot of fakes on the market, and it can be difficult to spot the difference
- Avoid storing, using, or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures
- Protect batteries against being damaged through crushing, puncturing or immersion in water
- Don’t leave items continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete, e.g., don’t leave your phone plugged in overnight
- Never cover chargers or charging devices, this includes using your laptop power lead in bed
- When you travel, avoid keeping all your items containing lithium-ion batteries together, especially on a plane
- Don’t overload your sockets – learn more about how much is too much here
Did you know?
According to The London Fire Brigade, ‘Counterfeit electrical chargers can be deadly – many fail to meet the UK safety regulations leading to fires and injury. What may seem like a bargain at the market isn’t worth the risk when you consider that it could cost a family member’s life.’
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Electrical items pose some major fire risks that many of us may leave ourselves open to without realising it. Lithium-ion batteries are a common part of everyday life, at home […]
London Fire Brigade (LFB) firefighters have issued an urgent e-bike safety warning following a serious blaze at a block of flats in Shepherd’s Bush on 22nd June.
LFB said, “at the height of the incident, 60 firefighters were tackling the fire in a 12th floor flat. Fire crews led six people to safety and one man was taken to hospital.” The blaze was investigated by the Brigade’s fire investigators who have determined the blaze was accidental and caused by the failure of an e-bike lithium-ion battery.
The new widespread adoption of electric personal modes of transport has also been accompanied by a worrying increase in fires, London’s firefighters have seen a huge spike in incidents caused by these electric modes of transport. Just this year, crews have already attended 32 fires involving e-bikes and another 7 involving e-scooters. So far in 2022, there have been a further 17 fires involving other lithium-ion batteries and last year, in total there were more than 100 fires in the capital involving this type of battery.
The Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Charlie Pugsley, said: “It’s incredibly concerning that we are continuing to see a rise in incidents involving e-bikes.
The advice from the Brigade is to never store e-bikes or e-scooters in communal areas as if they are involved in a fire, it can easily block the only means of escape.
If you are an e-scooter or e-bike owner living in London, Transport for London (TfL) banned e-scooters and e-bikes from the network at the end of 2021 following an incident in November which saw an e-scooter catch fire on a train stopped at an underground station.
How can you prevent or reduce the impact of an e-scooter or e-bike lithium battery fire?
- Buy branded electric scooters and bikes and their accessories only from reputable sources.
- Don’t overcharge your e-scooter or e-bike. Avoid leaving your machine on the socket unattended, and also remember to use the correct charger. Using a generic charger as opposed to the manufacturer’s official charger is not advised.
- Don’t use batteries that have been punctured, crashed, dropped, or damaged.
- Avoid leaving your e-scooter in areas with extreme temperatures such as leaving it out in the sun all day long or putting it in the kitchen.
- Leave a time interval between riding, charging, and riding again. After use, particularly prolonged use, the battery will already be hot – charging it straightaway will heat it further, risking damage. Likewise, after charging a battery will be hot, so immediately using it will also risk overheating.
- Charge in a safe location. Avoid charging in the house – if you have a garage or outbuilding use this as even if a fire occurs you are more likely to escape, and the damage be limited. If you can’t do this (e.g., in a flat) then avoid charging overnight and do not charge where a fire would come between you and the exit – for example charging in a hallway could trap (and possibly lead to the death of) everyone in the flat regardless of which room they are in.
We would like to remind you that e-scooters and e-bikes are very hazardous if they do catch fire. To learn more about lithium-ion battery fires please visit our Lithium Battery Range Website where you can find out why these are a fire risk and what causes a lithium-ion battery fire.
Image courtesy of London Fire Brigade.
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
London Fire Brigade (LFB) firefighters have issued an urgent e-bike safety warning following a serious blaze at a block of flats in Shepherd’s Bush on 22nd June. LFB said, “at […]
Lithium-ion batteries are a common part of everyday life - at home and at work - and as a result, Lithium battery fires are also a growing problem. There has been a massive increase in awareness of the risks they pose over the last 3 years, and they are now recognised as a serious fire risk and health and safety issue by insurance companies.
Insurance company Aviva is warning customers to take care when charging electrical items after receiving dozens of home fire claims caused by chargers and batteries in 2021.
According to Aviva, “multiple home fire claims this year have been linked to faulty, damaged, or incorrect chargers, or items which were left to charge for too long. Aviva found a common cause of components over-heating, leading to fires in the home and in many cases, damage was exacerbated because customers had put items to charge and then left their homes, enabling fires to take hold.”
Aviva claims involving batteries in 2021 included:
- A fire where e-scooter batteries had been left on charge in the garage (value: £150,000)
- A fire believed to be caused by an exploding e-cigarette battery (value: £140,000)
“Because people don’t tend to think of chargers as a fire hazard, they often leave them unattended, which means the damage can be worse and more disruptive for customers” – Aviva.
Insurance firm Zurich said it has seen claims for lithium battery blazes triple over three years, with most caused by defective batteries, incorrect chargers and items being left on charge for too long.
Third-party batteries which can be bought cheaply on the internet – and don’t always meet safety standards – are also to blame.
Not many people know or are aware that there is an extinguisher to put out this type of fire and that in fact it is the only extinguisher that will put it out, the Firechief Lith-Ex Extinguisher.
How do Firechief Lith-Ex Extinguishers work?
Firechief Lith-Ex extinguishers contain Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD), a revolutionary fire extinguishing agent. The water content of the extinguisher cools the fire source, while the Vermiculite platelets encapsulate the fuel source creating a thermal barrier to prevent the propagation of the fire. The Vermiculite film is not electrically conductive. AVD is nearly twice as effective as water on Class A fires and is environmentally friendly.
Firechief Lith-Ex extinguishers are designed to suppress Lithium battery fires in their infancy before developing into a fully established fire. They can also be used to protect against fires where batteries are stored or charged.
The Firechief Heavy Duty Lithium Battery Fire Blankets, Fire Suppression Kits and Fire-Resistant Containers are designed for the safe storage and transit of Lithium batteries and the smaller devices which contain them.
Which product for which risk?
We have created a product selector on our website to help you identify which product/s is best suited to manage your particular lithium battery fire risk.
The Firechief range includes high-performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers for your home and leisure time. For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.
The information contained within this blog is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Lithium-ion batteries are a common part of everyday life – at home and at work – and as a result, Lithium battery fires are also a growing problem. There has […]