Lithium-ion batteries have a potentially high risk of causing fire accidents. Luckily, modern manufacturing standards have added safety measures that make them less dangerous. However, human acts of omission or commission may still cause fires. Read along to find out what you could do to put out lithium-ion battery fire.
Components of a Lithium-ion Battery
The components that build a lithium-ion battery have the potential of causing and sustaining a fire. A liquid called electrolyte supports electrodes and contains organic solvents. Oxygen contained in the electrodes, together with the solvents, are the main fire hazards.
Electrochemical reactions are responsible for the storage of energy in lithium-ion batteries. The same processes allow the battery to operate electronic devices. Despite that, lithium-ion batteries are generally safe- they do not catch fire easily. Click here for the Best-Selling Fire Safety Products.
Possible Causes of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires:
- Overheating or Proximity to High Temperatures
The flammable electrolyte inside the cells is responsible for fires when the battery is near sources of heat. Cells tend to overheat and cause evaporation of the electrolyte. The evaporation creates combustible vapor, which ignites if the temperatures continue to rise.
Reactive Lithium catches fire and sets the battery on motion, ready to explode. To avert this possibility, some manufacturers add flame-retardants to “neutralize” the flammability of the electrolytes. - Physical Damage to the Battery
Some damages occur due to mishandling. No matter the level of caution you take, there will always be some unavoidable damage. The spoilt cells may cause bloating or short-circuiting in the battery.
Other possible causes of damage are factory-related. Impurities like metal particles may present themselves into the electrolyte during manufacture. These particles, too, can cause short-circuiting. - Allowing the Battery to Discharge Too Much
Discharging a Lithium-ion battery is not a fire hazard as such. The problem is when the battery discharges completely, and then you put it in storage for a long time. If this happens, the electrolyte decomposes over time, releasing fire-hazard gases.
Later if you decide to recharge the battery, it may exhibit short-circuiting and a possible fire. The damaged electrolyte can no longer optimize the conditions for energy-carrying cells.
How to Reduce Risk of Fire
How you handle these batteries determines their lifespan. Mishandling leads to failure, and failed batteries are a fire hazard. Here are some suggestions that would help you operate with Lithium-ion batteries like a pro:
• While touching the battery, remove rings, wristwatches to avoid contact.
• Discard a battery as soon as you notice a dent on its side or end.
• Avoid dropping the batteries or cells.
• Keep the battery away from oxidizers and strong acids.
• Before charging a battery that is warm or hot after use, allow it to cool.
• Inspect the battery before putting it into use. If it looks damaged and swollen, throw it away.
• You may also study some researchers who have come up with innovations that reduce the hazardous nature of electrolytes. Their findings increase electrolyte performance.
Proper Storage
Sometimes you may not need to use the Lithium-ion battery for a considerable period. Many things about the battery can go wrong or right, depending on how you chose to handle the storage. Observe the following safety-oriented storage tips always.
• Always keep the Lithium-ion battery at room temperature. If the battery is full of charge, you may want to use it until it remains with around 50% charge before storage. If it is empty, charge it to that level.
• Do not allow the battery to stay exposed to heat or sunlight for long. Similarly, please do not keep it inside a hot vehicle. If using a laptop, do not cover it with any blanket. Also, avoid keeping cell phones in warm pockets.
• Do not store the Lithium-ion battery together with any flammable material. Always maintain a distance between electronics that contain Lithium-ion batteries. According to Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., the precaution is to break a possible chain of fires in case there is an accident.
What to Do If a Lithium-ion Battery Catches Fire
If possible, remove the battery and throw it outside to burn slowly. Use foam fire extinguishers such as:
• CO2
• powdered graphite
• sodium carbonate
• ABC dry chemical
Water can lower temperatures but is not suitable for battery fires with lithium metal- it reacts to make the fire more explosive. Water can only be safe with the batteries if they do not contain actual metal. As such, water must be in large amounts.
In case the accident causes secondary fires, use the appropriate extinguishing agent for those fires. Treat each type of fire differently. Also, allow professional firefighters to fight with Lithium-ion fire if possible.
Use Class D Fire Extinguishers
These are the recommended extinguishers for putting out class D types of fires. Class D fires are metal-based. Combustible metals responsible for these fires include Lithium, aluminum, sodium, zirconium, magnesium.
These fires can cause so much damage. Unfortunately, putting them out poses more challenges than other fires. The only sure way is to use a mechanism that takes out oxygen from them.
Class D fire extinguishers use dry powders or granules from various sources. The pyrobubble granules absorb heat and take away oxygen from the flammable elements. However, this method may not be sufficient for other types of fires.
Bonus Tips
• A Lithium-ion battery hisses, bulges and leaks when it has failed
• Use water only if a class D fire extinguisher is not available
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to handle and store the lithium-ion battery properly
• Always read published information by experts to refresh your knowledge and practice
• In some cases, mainstream media offers invaluable tips on safety topics. Be vigilant and take notes
• Contact the manufacturers or their trusted agents for appropriate charger replacement
• If the battery develops unusual smell or overheats during charging, disconnect. Dispose of it entirely if it shows those signs during operation.
Even as you use your cell phone, laptop, electric bike, or car, remember your safety starts and ends with you. Always observe the right practices in handling, operating, and handling Lithium-ion batteries. Where you are not sure what to do, work with fire-fighting experts near you, and learn from them. Click here for the Best-Selling Fire Safety Products.