Key Insights
As the use of Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) continues to rise, understanding their characteristics and potential impact on workplace health and safety is essential for any organisation.
Types of Lithium-ion batteries
Rechargeable Lithium-ion Batteries power many modern portable devices, including phones, tablets, power banks, computers, toys, appliances, tools, and mobility equipment such as electric cars, bikes, and scooters.
Identifying Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries come in various shapes—cylindrical, flat, rectangular, or device-specific. Identification can be tricky since there is no standard labelling requirement. However, if a rechargeable battery has ‘Li’ or ‘Lithium’ printed on it, you can safely presume a lithium-ion battery.
Common labels include:
- lithium ion
- Li-ion
- Li-po
- Lithium-polymer
- Other variations of ‘Li’
What causes Lithium-ion Batteries to Catch Fire?
The batteries are energy-dense and contain highly flammable materials, posing risks such as fire, explosion, radiation, heat, chemical, and electrical hazards.
Several situations can cause these batteries to catch fire, including:
- Overcharging or using non-compliant charging equipment
- Overheating or exposure to excessive temperature
- Physical damage (e.g., dropping, crushing, piercing, or vibrations)
- Short-circuiting, battery cell errors, or system faults
- Defects or corruption during manufacture
By understanding these risks and taking proper precautions, you can help ensure a safer workplace environment when using lithium-ion batteries.
Why Are Lithium-ion Battery Fires So Dangerous?
When the batteries fail, they can go through a process called thermal runaway. This involves the violent bursting of one or multiple battery cells, releasing toxic, flammable, and explosive gases, and creating an extreme, self-sustaining fire.
A lithium-ion battery fire is particularly difficult to contain, which can put significant strain on emergency services.
These fires are:
- Extremely hot and fast-burning
- Capable of releasing large amounts of dangerous fumes harmful to human health
- Prone to causing explosions, leading to extensive damage to both people and property
Real-Life Example: The Yarra Valley Golf Club Fire
A ferocious blaze destroyed a large golf clubhouse in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, caused by charging lithium-ion batteries. The fire started in a storage room where electric buggies and batteries were kept. Firefighters confirmed the blaze originated inside the storage room.
The Australian Consumer Competition Commission (ACCC) has reported a rise in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. Over the past five years, the ACCC received 231 product safety reports related to lithium-ion batteries.
Stopping a Lithium-ion Battery Fire
If a fire breaks out while your lithium-ion batteries are charging, it’s crucial to contain it as much as possible to prevent it from spreading rapidly through the workplace. Taking proper precautions and having an emergency plan in place can help mitigate the risks associated with these dangerous fires.
Progressive Materials Fire Protection Products
Progressive Materials offers a range of advanced Promat fire protection products designed to contain and manage Lithium-ion battery fires.
PROMATECT 100 – Walls and Ceilings
The Promat product, PROMATECT® 100 can be used for wall, ceiling’s and steel protection systems for up to 4 hours of fire protection. Its features include superior insulation properties, excellent work-ability – easy to cut, a smooth and flat surface, high flexural strength providing the ability to form curved linings and is very cost efficient.
PROMATECT H – Concrete structures
PROMATECT® H systems are lightweight, providing excellent thermal resistance and are flexible in their design to meet the requirements of a wide range of commercial projects. These systems can achieve up to 4 hours of fire compartmentation.
PROMATECT XS – Structural steel elements
For the fire protection of structural steelwork, PROMATECT®-XS is an innovative high performing non-combustible fire protective board, based on PromaX® technology. The second generation of the product combines efficient fire protection with unique ease of installation, high quality surface finishing and enhanced mould and moisture resistance.
For more information on how our products can help mitigate the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, contact our team at info@progressivematerials.com.au. We’re here to assist!
