Lithium ion battery fires are fast becoming a key concern for homes and businesses alike. Due to the unique chemistry involved with lithiumion batteries, there are specific safety measures required to reduce the risk of the cells erupting into a potentially devastating blaze. Li-ion batteries are also known for reigniting, even after they have been put out with water. This creates a difficult situation for fire crews when lithium ion battery fires occurs. To create a safer working environment, there are some simple steps you can take to control fire risk. In this post, we detail just 7 simple steps to take to prevent a battery fire in your own workplace.
1. Inspect Your Batteries
Batteries, even rechargeable lithium ion batteries, were never meant to last forever. Even though these batteries can offer more than double the cycles of lead-acid batteries, they will age and become, eventually, unusable.
One of the biggest problems with lithium ion batteries is that damage to the battery can lead to major safety issues such as thermal runaway, battery fires or explosions. To mitigate this risk, careful handling practices and regular battery inspections must be performed.
It’s a good idea to set up a system in your workplace where battery stores are regularly inspected (daily or prior to use). This will help keep damaged, leaking or old batteries out of rotation and away from recharging facilities. Damaged lithium ion batteries should be immediately identified as a hazard. If damaged lithium ion batteries aren't taken out of rotation, they could be put on charge. This can result in thermal runaway, fire or, potentially, an explosion.
Batteries and battery systems must be handled and stored in the safest way possible.
However, it is not appropriate or safe to wait until a damaged battery is found before you start researching the best ways to dispose of your batteries. When lithium ion batteries are brought onto your site, already have a plan in place to deal with damaged cells.
Familiarise yourself with the local waste authority requirements regarding lithium ion battery disposal, so you have a safe disposal option (and set of procedures) when damaged or aged cells are noted. Also check your local fire authority for further information about lithium ion battery safety and what to do if a blaze breaks out in your workplace.
REMEMBER: Damage to lithium ion batteries can come in many forms. Make sure that any lithium batteries subject to impact damage, extreme heat, humidity, water or salt water are regarded as damaged cells.
2. Invest In Lithium ion Battery Fire Suppression
There’s a few tiers to battery safety, from handling to storage, and training to fire prevention and lithium ion battery safety. While handling and storage practices can limit the risk of a lithium-ion battery fire, accidents can still happen.
That’s why having a lithium ion battery fire suppression system within your storage area is a valuable tool for fire containment. In addition to the availability of lithium battery fire extinguishers, a fire suppression system will automatically release a suppressive layer when a set temperature in your store is reached. This automatic suppression helps extinguish a battery fire – potentially, before your staff are even aware of it.
IMPORTANT: Talk to Storemasta about our optional extras, including our fire suppression system which can be conveniently placed within your lithium ion battery cabinet.
If your batteries undergo thermal runaway, they can spark fires or explosions in multiple cells.
3. Choose Safe Storage for Lithium ion Batteries
The way you store your li-ion cells is fundamental to the safety of your operations. Without a safe and secure storage location, your batteries may be exposed to environmental conditions that can spark a battery fire – as well as unauthorised access, vandalism or theft.
Lithium-ion batteries require specific conditions for storage to reduce the likelihood of battery fires, explosions and leaks. These conditions include the provision of a dry, cool and ventilated storage cabinet that won’t combust in the event of a battery fire.
The simplest way to immediately reduce the risk of lithium ion battery fires is to introduce a battery cabinet to your workplace. These specialised cabinets provide the necessary control measures to keep your batteries in an optimum storage environment – thus reducing the risk of fire.
Lithium ion battery cabinets are specifically built to control the many risks associated with these cells.
REMEMBER: Storemasta manufactures Australian-made lithium-ion battery cabinets that are constructed from sheet steel. These cabinets are equipped with a thermal air barrier to protect the battery cells from heat and workplace fires. The construction also assists with fire containment, if the batteries within the cabinet do catch on fire. A fan delivers cool, dry air to the cabinet interior, which prevents overheating and thermal runaway in the battery store.
4. Train Staff to Understand Lithium ion Batteries
The only way you can prevent or contain a lithium ion battery fire is by first creating a workplace where staff are educated on the hazards, as well as the correct procedures for usage, storage, charging and disposal. Educating your team about lithium ion battery safety is essential for the control of lithium ion battery fires.
Staff must also be trained to understand how to respond in an emergency. They must understand what to do if a battery erupts in fire, where to evacuate, who to call, and what firefighting equipment (if any) to use – if it’s safe to do so.
As there is no Australian Standard (yet) for the handling and storage of lithium-ion batteries, it is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult any information of safety data sheets that may accompany your lithium-ion battery or lithium-ion battery pack.
Understanding the battery specifications and hazards associated with your battery can help you control the way in which the battery is used, handled, transported, storage and recharged in your workplace.
For example, information from the manufacturer may include:
The potential for exposure should not exist unless the cell or battery leaks, is exposed to high temperatures or is mechanically, electrically or physically abused/damaged. If the cell or battery is compromised and starts to leak, based upon the battery ingredients, the contents are classified as Hazardous.
Specific hazards relating to certain lithium ion batteries may include advice such as:
Exposure to contents of an open or damaged cell or battery: contact with this material will cause burns to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May cause sensitization by skin contact.
5. Only Use Suitable Chargers
Perhaps the easiest safety measure to implement in your workplace is to ensure the charger that you’re using is a safe option for your battery cell.
When batteries are recharging, any damage, overheating, overcharging or other safety issues can potentially trigger a blaze or explosion. The battery charger itself must be compatible with the battery, so that there is a control on the hazards associated with recharging.
Always check the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure that your batteries are being charged with a suitable charger. We recommend that you charge batteries with a charger that is suitable for the voltage and current of the device. Look out for chargers that meet the Australian Standards, so you can be sure that your charger is safe and fit-for-purpose. A charger that can pass stringent safety tests will help you maintain safety with your battery cells.
Make sure your charger is suitable for the battery that you're about to recharge.
A good quality charger may also be equipped with additional safety features including readout of voltage, automatic compensation for high or low temperature, overcharge protection or a lower power mode for smaller batteries.
Fire authorities also recommend that you stop charging the battery once it's fully charged, then ensure the device is properly disconnected from the charger.
6. Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are a vital part of your fire safety plan. But don’t forget those areas where lithium ion batteries are being stored, charged or handled.
A smoke detector can add life-saving minutes to an emergency evacuation situation, so it’s important that your workplace is properly equipped with smoke detectors.
Lithium-ion battery fires will burn quickly and potentially cause an explosion, as well as overheat other nearby battery cells – which only increase the danger of a fire. Early detection is essential for the notification of emergency services as well as the use of suitable firefighting equipment.
REMEMBER: Ask us about optional add-ons to your lithium-ion battery cabinet, including wireless smoke detectors for your workplace.
7. Limit Access to Lithium Batteries
You wouldn’t let an untrained team member handle toxic, corrosive or flammable liquids. So, why not take this same chemical safety approach when you’re working with lithium-ion batteries?
Restricting access to hazardous chemicals and Class 9 batteries is a simple yet significant way to reduce risk. If batteries aren’t handled, charged or stored in the right way, these energy sources can cause a range of hazards including fire, environmental contamination and human harm. This is because the electrolyte within the cell is corrosive, toxic, flammable and combustible. Controls must be put in place to ensure that staff are safe when working with these power sources.
Stop Lithium ion Battery Fires in the Workplace
Lithium ion batteries are everywhere, from our mobile phones to electric bikes, power tools, industrial robots, laptops, devices and electric vehicles. Battery cell malfunctions, extreme heat and humidity, damaged lithium ion battery cells — as well as poor storage or handling techniques — can increase risk with your li-ion batteries.
And with the growing reliance on this type of battery cell, it’s understandable that the associated risks are becoming more of a concern due to the regular incidences of fire and explosion. However, by setting up the right environment for the storage and handling of your batteries, you can reduce the likelihood and impact of lithium ion battery fires.
Need to find out more about li-ion safety precautions? You can discover more about reducing your workplace battery risks by accessing a copy of our free eBook. This guide discusses the most common hazards associated with workplace batteries such as lithium-ion cells and lead acid batteries. Find out how you can assess the risk by grabbing your copy today.
