Lithium battery fires Archives

Firechief is delighted to announce that Scutum London Ltd has signed up to become an Authorised Distributor of the Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range (LBR).

Lithium-ion batteries continue to present a more frequent fire hazard each day as the number of consumer and industrial goods powered by them increases and Lithium Battery fires are now recognised as a serious Health & Safety issue by many, including Transport for London who have banned all e-scooters and bikes from the network.

Firechief Lith-Ex extinguishers contain Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD), a revolutionary fire extinguishing agent and have been designed to suppress Lithium battery fires in their infancy before they develop into a fully established fire. They can also be used to protect against fires where batteries are under charge and stored; for example, goods distribution, battery collection bins, battery recycling locations, public services and battery charging stations.

The Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range also includes 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.

Alan Lansdell, General Manager of Scutum London commented: ‘Firechief Lith-Ex is the only extinguisher which has been thoroughly tested on lithium battery fires. The team at Firechief are very knowledgeable on this subject and have provided us with excellent training and answers to all our questions. This has given us the confidence to become a Firechief LBR authorised distributor and to advise, recommend and sell the product range to our customers to help mitigate the growing risk posed by lithium battery fires.’

Firechief Global’s Managing Director Laurie Pollard said: “We look forward to working with Scutum London in growing awareness and sales of this exciting new product range. 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.”

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 is delighted to announce that Scutum London Ltd has signed up to become an Authorised Distributor of the Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range (LBR). Lithium-ion batteries continue to present […]

Are you aware of the dangers that electrical devices pose to us and those around us? Today, as we are all know, the move towards reducing the impact on the environment whilst retaining mobility has seen a big increase in electrically powered transport, which in addition to electric vehicles also includes personal modes of transport such as hoverboards, electric bikes and e-scooters. These items all carry major fire risks that need to be spoken about.

Historically, significant causes of fires and deaths in the domestic environment has shifted between the decades. In the 1970’s and 80’s, emphasis was on the presence of paraffin heaters, electric blankets and most significantly, foam filled furniture in the home, while in the 1990’s it was the lack of smoke alarms for early warning and the 2000’s it was white goods, particularly tumble dryers. A number of these well-publicised risk factors have had a key part to play in the development of contemporary fire safety legislation.

The new widespread adoption of electric personal modes of transport has also been accompanied by a worrying increase in fires resulting in substantial property loss, injuries, and several deaths. With an estimated 200,000 scooters already in use in the UK and the number rapidly increasing, the risk of further fire related incidents also escalates.

Transport for London’s ban on private e-scooters, prevents them from being taken onto the capital’s transport network, came into force 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.

This growing issue has been of significant concern with Fire and Rescue Services across the UK 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.

The battery technology is at the heart of the issue with energy-dense Lithium-ion battery packs normally being used in these rechargeable devices.

So why are Lithium batteries a fire risk?

To understand the risk, you need to know a little bit about Lithium batteries. With a single cell Lithium battery, once the cell has released all of its energy, the battery has finished its life. However, the Lithium-Ion batteries used in devices such as mobile phones, laptops, power tools, and electric vehicles (EVs), have a larger number of cells (ranging from two to thousands) and can be recharged many times.

What causes Lithium battery fires and what is Thermal Runaway?

The failure of a Lithium battery is usually due to a short circuit or damage from overcharging, overheating, penetration or crushing.

Warning signs that a battery pack or cell is likely to fail include the battery appearing to bulge or swell, sometimes accompanied by other signs such as discharging too fast and/or the battery being hot to the touch.

Once a battery fails or ‘runs away’ the cells usually start to give off smoke. Thermal runaway is the chemical process within the battery which produces heat and flammable toxic chemical gases very quickly, often before any flame appears.

For more information about thermal runaway and what causes Lithium battery fires, visit our knowledge bank.

What to use on Lithium battery fires?

Firechief Lith-Ex extinguishers have been designed to suppress Lithium battery fires in their infancy before they develop into a fully established fire. They can also be used to protect against fires where batteries are stored or charged.

Firechief Lith-Ex extinguishers contain Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD), a revolutionary fire extinguishing agent. AVD is made up of Vermiculite particles chemically suspended in water, discharged in a fine mist which provides both a cooling effect and forms a heatproof barrier around the burning battery cell to prevent propagation and re-ignition. Vermiculite has strong thermal insulation properties and therefore prevents heat transfer from the burning cell to its surroundings.

How can you prevent or reduce the impact of an e-Scooter Lithium battery fire?

Top Tips!

Buy branded electric scooters and their accessories only from reputable sources.
Don’t overcharge your e-scooter. 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.
Take precautions for if a fire occurs:
You should have working smoke alarms ideally in every room, but as a minimum in your hallways/landings (note - more stringent regulations apply in Scotland) so you get time to escape. However, bear in mind that lithium battery fires can escalate so quickly that this may not be enough, particularly if you have picked a poor charging location.
Consider using flame retardant bags and pouches to store lithium-ion batteries in, ideal for where they are being left unattended.
Special fire blankets are available that can quickly be draped over the burning item which will buy valuable time to escape safely and will restrict the spread of fire.
Professionals who use and/or store Lithium batteries such scooter hire, sales, and service companies, etc, should consider installing one or more of the Firechief Lith-Ex fire extinguishers designed especially for tackling Lithium-ion battery fires.

For further information about Lithium battery fires and how to manage them, see us on stand number FI2224 at FIREX or visit our website Lithium Battery Safety Range - Firechief Global

Are you aware of the dangers that electrical devices pose to us and those around us? Today, as we are all know, the move towards reducing the impact on the […]

Sentura is delighted to announce that three of its customers have signed up to become Authorised Distributors of the Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range (LBR).

Marlowe Fire & Security Group, Eco Fire Safety Ltd, and SelectEquip and are the first to officially join the newly formed network of Firechief LBR Authorised Distributors.

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 will 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 new product range.”

Robert Flinn, CEO at Marlowe Fire & Security Group said “With the growing usage of Lithium-ion batteries, it’s crucial that businesses understand the associated safety hazards and how to prevent and extinguish these fires to keep their workplace safe and operational. As an approved distributor of the Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range, our customers can be safe in the knowledge that they have the right type of fire extinguisher that can quickly extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire if and when it occurs.”

Henry Spence, Managing Director of Safety supplies company SelectEquip explained: ‘We supply a large range of lighting products to the rail industry, from head and hand torches to emergency lighting and tower lights. Increasingly these are using Lithium battery power and large numbers of Lithium batteries can be found on charge in railway contractors portacabin offices all over the UK at any one time. However, there are no risk assessments or fire safety plans in place should any of these batteries go on fire, so the Firechief Lithium Battery range of products is set to make these contractors safer in their workplaces.’

Jason Gorman, Managing Director of Nottinghamshire based Eco Fire Safety Ltd said: “With the electrical products market growing and the apparent dangers there for everyone to see, the Firechief Lith-Ex range was a perfect fit for us to add to our product range and help all our customers safeguard their properties and more importantly their people.’

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

Sentura is delighted to announce that three of its customers have signed up to become Authorised Distributors of the Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range (LBR). Marlowe Fire & Security Group, […]

E-Scooters and E-Bikes are continuing to grow in popularity across the UK. Typically combining a lightweight folding frame with lithium-ion battery-electric technology, they have become the affordable urban mobility vehicle of choice. However, this has also led to an increase in fire risk and a growing concern.

In London, the London Fire Brigade has backed Transport for London’s ban on private e-scooters, which prevents them from being taken onto the capital’s transport network.

The ban came into force 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. As a result of this incident and other reported fires involving e-scooters, Transport for London launched an urgent review. London Fire Brigade supported the review with evidence being provided by its experts.

The issue has been a big 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.’

To learn more about Lithium battery fire risks and the Firechief Lithium Battery Safety Range, visit our new website here

The Firechief range also 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.

Wednesday 9th February, saw our Trade Business Development Manager Matt Humby speaking at the sell-out Institute of Fire Safety Managers Technical Meeting at the Milton Keynes Dons stadium.

Matt made a well-received presentation on the ever-growing risks of Lithium-Ion Battery fires and how and why they happen. He also showed some examples of Lithium battery fires in mobile phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, electric bikes, and electric scooters and shared some solutions for mitigating the risks and effectively fighting a Lithium battery fire.

The products contained in Firechief’s Lithium Battery Safety Range include specialist extinguishers and accessories – including battery fire blankets, fire resistant containers and fire suppression kits – all designed to stop Lithium-Ion battery fires fast.

‘It was a great honour to be asked to speak at this event’ said Matt afterwards. ‘The audience was very engaged in learning more about this subject and asked some excellent questions. Hopefully, we have managed to raise awareness of the dangers of Lithium battery fires in today’s world and how they can be effectively managed and tackled.’

As a token of their thanks and appreciation, Matt was presented with a commemorative plaque and lifetime membership of the IFSM. Well done, Matt!

To find out more about this subject, contact Matt Humby on 07908201270 or drop him an email matt.humby@senturagroup.com.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]

Wednesday 9th February, saw our Trade Business Development Manager Matt Humby speaking at the sell-out Institute of Fire Safety Managers Technical Meeting at the Milton Keynes Dons stadium. Matt made […]

E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly commonplace, with many people converting to their usage from normal cigarettes thanks to their lack of tobacco and the variety of flavours now available.

However, while they don’t use flames and searing temperatures like cigarettes do, they have still been identified as a major fire risk if not used sensibly.

One reason for fires involving e-cigarettes is the potential use of incompatible chargers. These charging issues can result in batteries exploding or the e-cigarette overheating which can immediately cause a fire or combine with other elements in a room to create a fire risk. The risks around vaping tend to come from counterfeit or faulty products, and poor charging practices.

London Fire Brigade have issued some useful advice:

Batteries:

Never let your battery come into contact with metal items such as coins or keys in a pocket/bag, this can cause a short circuit and explosion
Store removable and spare batteries in a plastic case to prevent accidental contact and store out of reach of children
Do not mix a battery from one supplier or product with a charger from another
Regularly inspect your vape batteries. If the battery is damaged in any way (leaking or not functioning properly) stop using it and replace it
Dispose of batteries carefully

Charging:

Only use the charger that came with your vape, never charge your vape with a phone, tablet or any other charger
Don’t charge your vape overnight, or leave it charging anywhere without regularly checking on it
Unplug your vape once it is fully charged, do not leave it charging for an extended period of time
Charge your vape on a clean, flat surface, away from anything that could easily catch fire, and somewhere you can clearly see it – not on a sofa or pillow where it is more prone to overheat or get switched on accidentally.

Buying the right equipment:

Only buy vape equipment and chargers new, from reputable sellers as anything else could be dangerous
Only use batteries recommend for your specific device as not all batteries are suitable for vapes. Don’t mix different brands of batteries, use batteries with different charge levels, or use old and new batteries together
Only buy batteries from reputable sellers. Beware of cheap, re-wrapped or fake batteries.

Looking after an e-cigarette

Make sure you read and understand the manufacturer’s recommendations for use and care of your device. If your vape did not come with instructions, contact the supplier
Look for any safety markings or warnings displayed on the battery or packaging
Do not leave the vape in extreme temperatures e.g., direct sunlight or in your car on a freezing cold night.

E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly commonplace, with many people converting to their usage from normal cigarettes thanks to their lack of tobacco and the variety of flavours now available. However, while […]

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/bikes, cards, forklift trucks and other factory equipment 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.

Firechief has introduced a range of Lithium Battery Fire Safety Accessories to complement its specialist Lith-Ex Extinguishers.

Firechief Heavy Duty Lithium Battery Fire Blanket

A specialist range of fire blankets manufactured from fire resistant technical fabrics and industrial stitching which have been developed specifically for the safe storage and protection of Lithium-ion batteries in transit. The blankets are capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures of up to 1000°C for a prolonged period of time as well as being robust enough to offer protection.

Firechief Lithium Battery Fire Suppression Kit (Small & Large)

The Firechief Fire Suppression Kit is the perfect solution for the effective control, safe storage, and suppression of extinguished Lithium-ion battery fires. The kit provides the initial extinguisher (either FLE500 or FLE2) to extinguish the fire and a bag for the safe suppression and removal of the extinguished device. It will withstand temperatures in excess of 1000°C. Typical applications are mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.

Firechief Lithium Battery Fire Resistant Container

The Firechief Lith-Ex Fire Resistant Container is an innovative product that protects potentially flammable goods against the threat of fire. The exceptional insulation properties are achieved by the use of a unique combination of technical textiles which prevent the propagation of both internal and external fires.

The container works in several ways:

Contains a fire within the bag (e.g., burning batteries on a plane)
Prevents fire spreading to adjacent material
Gives extra time for responders to get the risk under control
Prevents an external fire igniting a vulnerable/flammable cargo

Firechief Lith-Ex Extinguishers

These high-performance extinguishers are designed to stop lithium-ion battery fires fast. The Firechief Lith-Ex extinguisher range is made up of 7 different sizes of extinguishers ranging from 500ml to a 50L trolley extinguisher. Each extinguisher is suitable for tackling varied sizes of Lithium-Ion battery fire.

Lithium-ion batteries continue to present a more frequent fire hazard each day as the number of consumer and industrial goods powered by them increases. Firechief Lith-Ex extinguishers are suited to confined spaces where fires need to be suppressed in their infancy before developing into a fully established fire.

They can also be used to protect against fires where batteries are under charge and stored. For example, goods distribution, battery collection bins, battery recycling locations, public services and battery charging stations.

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 propagation of the fire. AVD is twice as effective as water on Class A fires and is environmentally friendly.