How do you put out a Lithium Ion Battery Fire?

Lithium Ion batteries are used across homes and businesses all over the country. These are commonly used in everything from EV Charging points for fork lift trucks, to phones and, for the most part, they are an extremely safe piece of technology.

However, there have been instances where Lithium Ion batteries have failed and quickly caught fire – the most famous being Samsung having to recall its Galaxy 7 phones, which were banned from airports because of their fire risk.

Since the popular usage of Lithium Ion batteries is showing no signs of waning, it is the duty of business and property owners to understand the safest and quickest way to put out a Lithium Ion battery fire.

Here at Target Fire, we’ve shared a comprehensive guide to this new health and safety risk, including everything from the best preventative measures to take, and the right fire extinguisher to use to put out the flames.

What is the best way to put out a Lithium Ion battery fire?

Lithium-Ion battery fires can be volatile, as the batteries contain flammable liquid electrolytes.

At Target Fire Protection, we install and supply Lithium Battery Fire Extinguishers that are specifically designed and highly effective for extinguishing Lithium-Ion battery fires.

We are the trusted suppliers of TG Products’ and Firexo Lithium Fire Extinguishers. Both represent an exceptional safety standard, and are ideally suited to business settings. Get in touch for a quote.

While being highly suited to combat the most common house fires, these extinguishers boast a special suitability to Lithium Ion battery fires. They contain the extinguishing agent Imprex C, which is proven to have special suitability for putting out this type of fire. Furthermore, Water Fire Extinguishers can be safely used on and around electricity, are 100% fluorine free, and feature cartridge technology for easy maintenance.

The best preventative measures for Lithium Ion battery fires

Inform your staff about the risks posed by Lithium Ion batteries, and how they can limit them.

• If a device contains a Lithium Ion battery, ensure that you are only using the battery that was created for that specific device – don’t mix and match!
• Ensure all charging cables come from reputable, verified suppliers
• Keep the lithium batteries at room temperature (avoid direct sunlight)
• Follow the government’s requirements for the safe disposal of batteries
• When charging, ensure the devices are not near any flammable fabrics or soft furnishings
• Ensure your device has been tested and approved for use by a vetted authority (especially if you are buying it second-hand)
• If you see that a battery is visibly damaged, or is hot to the touch, then remove it from your device and store it in a fire-proof container, before disposing of it carefully

Another common risk is in EV Charging and LV Charging points, commonly used for electric Fork Lift Trucks. If you use these units within your premises, you will need to ensure these points are correctly fitted, safely mounted to the wall and are positioned in a well-ventilated area. In addition, it would be wise to position Water Fire Extinguishers nearby to the charging points, so that a fire can be dealt with quickly.

Water Fire Extinguishers from Target Fire Protection

With over 25 years in the fire safety industry, you can trust Target Fire Protection to manage and mitigate any fire safety risks present in your property.

Our Water Fire Extinguishers are thoroughly tested, to ensure their complete safety and dependability. Alongside the supply and installation of Water Fire Extinguishers, we can also arrange a regular servicing schedule, and even provide you with expert fire safety guidance pertaining to your specific property.

So, to find out more about the risks of Lithium Batteries and how to reduce them, contact our team for a quote.