Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in a lot of consumer items. This technology is growing in popularity due to its light weight, high energy density, and ability to recharge quickly and with no memory effect. In Australia, lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in a number of rechargeable electrical devices such as:
- Cordless power tools
- Cell phones, laptops and smart devices
- e-Rideables/LEV ‘s e.g., electric scooters, electric skateboards, hoverboards etc
- Electric vehicles (EV’s) or Hybrid vehicles
- Electric Forklifts
- e-Cigarettes
- Camping and gardening equipment
- Cordless appliances
- Toys
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Lithium-ion batteries make life easier, but their complex chemical-nature can make them dangerous if used, charged or stored incorrectly. Lithium-ion battery related fires and explosions can cause property damage, serious injury and even death. As rechargeable batteries have become more common the number of incidents has increased dramatically.
Due to this, it can be a good idea to familiarise yourself with safety measures surrounding lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion Fires in Australia
According to data provided by state fire departments, in Australia, more than 450 fires have been linked to lithium-ion batteries over the past 18 months. There has also been a significant spike in e-scooter fires.
- WA recorded 81 of these incidents in 2022
- NSW recorded 180 lithium-ion battery related fires in the past 12 months
- VIC recorded 120 in the year to July 2022
- QLD recorded 72 since 2021
These fires can be triggered by a number of factors, such as overcharging, overheating or exposure to extreme temperatures, short-circuiting, or defective or ageing battery cell. Ensuring that you source your products from a reputable seller/manufacturer is an important step as cheap products may carry higher risks.
Thermal Runaway
When lithium-ion batteries fail, they can undergo a thermal runaway phenomenon which involves a violent bursting of one or multiple battery cells. Thermal runaway occurs when a lithium-ion cell enters a state of uncontrolled self-heating. This often begins when the heat generated within a cell exceeds the heat dissipated to its surroundings, and results in the release of toxic, corrosive, flammable, and explosive vapours and gases, causing an intense fire. The fire is self-sustaining and is especially difficult to extinguish using conventional methods or fire extinguishers. Pouring water on a lithium fire is often very dangerous and counterproductive.
When you’re carrying many lithium-ion batteries in your workplace, the risks associated with thermal runaway increases. If thermal runaway occurs in a single battery, it will overheat the cell and quickly create a domino effect with the other batteries kept close by. As the battery cells continue to overheat and ignite, the fire will continue to grow in intensity. To manage this risk, consider storing your lithium-Ion batteries in a safety storage cabinet. These cabinets are usually fire rated for up to 90 minutes both internally and externally.
High Temperatures Reached
The rapid thermal energy generation during an internal short circuit is typically the tipping point after which thermal runaway occurs. Internal cell temperatures will continue to rise and can quickly reach 500°C at which point the cell catches fire or it explodes. Lithium-ion batteries can also spontaneously combust when exposed to high thermal temperature. Here is an example of one such case:
Dangerous-power-tool-explodes by Australasian Mine Safety Journal
Gases Produced
What usually looks like ordinary smoke is in actual fact toxic, flammable, and explosive vapours. A lithium-ion battery upon contact with water produces hydrogen gas and lithium-hydroxide. Overexposure to Lithium-hydroxide can cause skin irritation or eye damage. Because lithium reacts with water creating a flammable gas, pouring water on a lithium fire is extremely dangerous. A leaking lithium-ion battery when exposed to air or moisture can even produce hydrofluoric acid, which is highly toxic, and can severely irritate the eyes and lungs.
Steps to Safely Manage Lithium-ion Battery Products to Minimise the Risk
There are a few steps you can take to minimise the risk of lithium-ion battery fires.
- Do not charge them when you’re out
- Do not charge them while you’re asleep
- Do not charge them indoors or around items that are combustible
- Do not charge them near your exit path where it is likely to impede your egress out of a building
- Do not charge a damaged product
- Unplug them once charged
- Take care to avoid damaging items i.e., dropping, crushing etc.
- Do not leave or charge them in hot environment or direct sunlight
- Using the certified or original battery chargers.
- Avoid charging damaged batteries
- Avoid thermal stress
Disposal of Damaged Lithium-ion Batteries
Batteries that show any signs of damage should be disposed of carefully. Never throw them in your regular waste or recycling containers. Fires are known to occur in garbage trucks and in waste facilities due to improper disposal of batteries. Even when dead, they can explode or cause fires when crushed or when exposed to moisture.
Instead, research online for local battery recyclers. Below is an image of a garbage bin fire, a result of a disposed cell phone.
Damaged batteries include:
- Batteries and/or devices that have been involved in or exposed to fire
- Overheated batteries that may have been emitting vapours or smoke
- Batteries that show signs of swelling or bulging, leaking, cracks, dents, punctures, or crushing
- Batteries that have had water or liquid ingress or have been submerged in water.
What to Do if Confronted by a Lithium-Ion Fire Emergency
If you do encounter a lithium-ion emergency, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the safety of everyone in the vicinity:
- If possible, evacuate nearby personnel immediately
- If there is sign of overheating, switch off the charger if it’s safe to do so
- If there is sign of fire, remove yourself from the area to avoid the risk of fire and toxic vapours from the battery
- Raise the fire alarm
- Isolate the power supply if safe to do so
- Use a suitable fire extinguisher i.e. F-500 EA if available
- Remember that other extinguishers may not be effective as the excessive heat from a lithium-ion battery in a thermal runaway state could cause reignition
- If save to do so, remove combustibles stored nearby
- Call triple (000) and request the fire service
Lithium Fire Safety Awareness
Want to take further action to educate your team and increase the safety of your personnel, customers and assets? We believe that taking a proactive approach to lithium fire safety is the best way forward.
Australian Fire Protection provides Lithium Fire Safety Awareness training. In this course, we’ll cover how to respond to a lithium-ion fire incident, with topics such as:
- Types of lithium-ion batteries
- Understanding thermal runaway
- Fire extinguishers suitable for lithium-ion fires
- Risks and hazards when dealing with battery fires
- Smoke/gases discharged by a lithium-ion fire
- Do’s and don’t’s of lithium fire safety
Get in touch with our experienced team to find out more about our lithium fire safety or to book a course. Fill in our convenient enquiry form or give us a call on 1300 80 FIRE.
Why Choose Australian Fire Protection?
Australian Fire Protection has been helping people prepare themselves for emergencies for more than thirty years. Our Lithium Fire Safety Awareness course is designed to help you and your team feel more prepared for a lithium-ion battery fire incident in the workplace.
We are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that works with companies and organisations across a variety of different industries, from hospitality to aged care, education, retail, manufacturing, childcare, health, and more. Our aim is to provide you with a safer workplace through education and preparedness.
Complete your lithium fire safety training at one of our training facilities, or let us come to you and undergo training at your chosen location.
Other Courses and Training
Along with lithium fire safety training, Australian Fire Protection offers a number of other courses, including:
