Lithium Battery FFE

[Messy]

A number of service engineer staff have cause to move around 4 to 5 50mm x 200mm lithium batteries around in their company cars and need to charge them at home or if working away, in hotels.

I am not a huge fan of aerosol fire extinguishers, but I wonder if this type of extinguisher (that is new to me) would be sufficient to cover this risk - esp when home or hotel charging?

Its a bit pokey at 400ml, but with no 13A type rating, I have no idea what this cheap extinguisher would be capable of or whether its investing in them?

Currently the guys are caring 2kg CO2


https://www.safelincs.co.uk/lith-ex-fire-extinguisher/?fGB=true&gclid=CjwKCAjw0N3nBRBvEiwAHMwvNvdsSDnFZ74fn3FoHxthbF3T1J9kYdMOvDGKkZIjpvEMw7ncgAg0mBoCgj4QAvD_BwE

[AnthonyB]

Are they definitely lithium batteries or lithium ion? Unless the cells are capable of liberating free lithium metal on runaway you don't need Class D extinguishers, just copious amounts of water (ideally in a mist) or ABC Powder.

I've seen AVD extinguishers sold to places using cells that actually don't need them.

[Messy]

Many thanks Anthony.

I am still waiting for technical information in relation to the specifications of the batteries. I appreciate your assistance

[Fishy]

In my book small-capacity fire extinguishers - of any description - are worse than useless.  Their discharge times are too short - for example, this one has a discharge time of around 6 seconds: https://www.firesafetycompliance.co.uk/extinguishers/44-cooking-fire-extinguisher.html. 

I used to test fire extinguishers for a living, & I wouldn't even consider putting myself in harm's way with only 6-seconds worth of fire extinguishing capability in my hands!

[Seetek]

Hi there. First time post here but I have a bit of knowledge of L-ion batteries having been fire officer at car manufacturer, I had to research them when we began developing electric vehicles.

Basically, you can?t do much if these begin to runaway in a fire due to fault or damage. The considered opinion is to submerge the battery and therefore the device/car if fitted under water to ensure equal cooling all round.

The inter web has a plethera of examples where firefighters cannot extinguish such fires. Here is a link
 
https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/articles/197589018-What-firefighters-need-to-know-about-electric-car-batteries/

Tesla, VW and others have had issues. You may also recall Boeing had issues too.

To answer the OP?s original question, if carrying a number of such batteries it may be advisable to carry them in a box/container that can be quickly removed from the vehicle in event of a problem and place them away from the vehicle.

Hope this helps.