Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion Extinguishers - Your Experiences?

[Messy]

Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion fire extinguishers have been around for a few years now.

I am tempted to place a large order for them to cover a significant amount of lithium ion batteries we use & store. There are scores of lithium ion batteries on charge across our estate at any one time - including some very large packs. It is not always possible to adequately separate them from other cells, or combustible materials when used or being charged.

But at this time, I do not believe that there is a BS for this type of portable firefighting equipment so therefore there is not fire rating attached to the different sizes available.

This will be a considerable investments of many ?1000s so I need to get this right, but only really have sales literature and salesmen to get information from. Not the most reliable source of information perhaps!!

So what are your experiences of  Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion fire extinguishers?

I am interested in how to decide what size of extinguisher to procure as a 9l costs about ?400. I would also like to know about servicing, product shel life and ongoing costs

Thanks
 

[AnthonyB]

There's very little out there to go on with Class D agent's generally although there's a bit more on the cells. After doing a research project for a cell manufacturer here it transpired that Water Mist was the then suggested preferred media for portables followed by ABC Powder.

I've watched a few fire tests of AVD as well as others by competitors and do note that AVD's tests are genuine (& independent) with proper li-on cells forced into thermal runaway whereas the competitor just lit some petrol under some old alarm panel batteries (which probably weren't even li-on) and aren't by an independent test house.

It certainly seems more effective mass for mass than water mist.

Note that the draft new version of BS5306-8 intends to include a clause that there is no need for provision of a special agent for li-on fires (which mirrors my research findings) so the provision of water mist would suit, although if the budget suits and you want something that will work better and faster AVD seems to do the job - you would have to refer to the manufacturer for guidance on size required per amount of cells.

The independent testing results are here for the 6litre portable and a fixed 4 nozzle deluge fed from a 40L trolley extinguisher and you need a lot of agent for the various cell configurations - https://www.avdfire.com/wp-content/uploads/Cert_Report_AVD_Lith-Ex_ZSW_v2-website.pdf

The 600ml aerosol extinguisher test is here https://www.avdfire.com/wp-content/uploads/Cert_Report_AVD_Lith-Ex_ZSW-website.pdf

[Messy]

Many thanks as always Anthony

Its such a complicated area for an area (& risk) which is bound to see growth as EVs replace combustion engines and as domestic battery storage solutions become more common in homes

[colin todd]

Davey, Why are you stockpiling Li batteries. is this because you are predicting some sort of Armageddon with rivers of blood and you are going to hunker in a bunker?? Or are you plotting some dastardly terrorist action to blow up a plane carrying your ex commissioner for not making you a DACO.

I need to know. I will lie awake all night wondering what your evil intentions are.

[Messy]

Davey, Why are you stockpiling Li batteries. is this because you are predicting some sort of Armageddon with rivers of blood and you are going to hunker in a bunker?? Or are you plotting some dastardly terrorist action to blow up a plane carrying your ex commissioner for not making you a DACO.

I need to know. I will lie awake all night wondering what your evil intentions are.

Evil intent? Me? - says Surrey's answer to a Fire Safety Blofeld & with an eye on world domination. Tell me you have a cat and it sits on your lap in your lair?
As you refuse to hire me, my only plan is to retire in the next couple of years and find a cosy bunker in which to hunker 

[colin todd]

Davey, you have seen the cat- I showed you a picture remember. I might employ you as we are very short staffed.  I told you before to apply to recruitment@cstodd.co.uk