Description
FLE9 Lith-Ex Lithium-Ion Battery Extinguisher 9L 100-1579
Lithium batteries are capable of storing large amounts of energy, and are small and lightweight but can be volatile under stress. These batteries will be in devices such as mobile phones, laptops, drones, e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools, electric vehicles and energy storage modules.
Over the last 3 years awareness of the risk of lithium battery fires has rapidly increased, and are recognised by many as a serious health and safety issue. The latest high profile risk management decision around lithium batteries came from TFL who have banned all e-scooters and e-bikes from their network.
This 9L extinguisher is designed for use on lithium battery fires up to a battery power rating of 500Wh-750Wh including e-Bikes and Segways.
Lithium-Ion Battery Safe extinguishers contain 17% vermiculite and 83% water, a solution known as AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion). Vermiculite is non flammable and has excellent thermal insulation properties. It is a naturally occurring mineral made up of aluminium, iron, magnesium and silicate that is mined all over the world. Vermiculite mineral is exempt from REACH regulations.
AVD Extinguishers are applied as a mist and the water content knocks down the flames and cools adjacent cells. As the water is driven off, AVD forms a film over the cells, providing 3 functions: a thermal barrier, an oxygen barrier and an electrical barrier.
AVD fire extinguishers have a number of key benefits over existing solutions:
- AVD is water based it extinguishes the fire and cools the cells
- AVD is film forming and creates an oxygen barrier
- AVD encapsulates the fuel source to prevent re-ignition
- AVD electrically insulates -35kV Dielectric test
- AVD prevents the propagation of the fire
Alternative extinguishers are not as effective or ineffective on Lithium-Ion battery fires; water will provide cooling, but is unable to form a thermal barrier, so as you run out of water the fire will re-ignite as the battery forms its own flammable gases and will re-ignite until the cell fully discharges its energy. Foam works by smothering a fire, but will not survive the high temperatures of a Lithium-Ion fire, the same applies to wet chemical. Powder is completely ineffective as it has no cooling effect.
