In this #HumpdayHangout, Bill Gustin, Sam Hittle, and Darryl Liggins visit with Jack Murphy and FDNY Deputy Chief of Hazmat Dan Murray about the fire problems associated with lithium-ion battery-powered bikes and scooters.
Recognize that these fires are not electric fires. They are, in fact, metallic fires. Metallic fires are a special category of fires that require special fire fighting techniques. CO2, which is typically used for electrical fires, for example, will not work because metallic fires produce their own oxygen from within the burning metallic fuel.
Question to the Chiefs comment about strongly disagreeing with overpacking with sand but didn't mention why? Recently at a hazmat conference they mentioned that sand is sufficient. I'm curious why FDNY disagrees. I'd like to know so I can make an argument when my department decides to not go with cell block for sand
These lithium ion batteries that are burning explosively contained magnesium. A different kind of Lithium ion battery replaces magnesium with iron, which is inherently safe.
i use a large metal trash can lined with kaowool and the lid held down with springs for charging my e-bike batteries. It gives room for flame spread and fire resistance of 2400 degrees F
Alabama here every body needs to hear about this and I do agree should be shared on Facebook thank you guys for sharing this video with us all guys who need to know
Strange question if I am unable to dispose of lithium batteries right away can i store them inside a metal box covered in sand to cut back on the oxygen provided to the batteries if they rupture.
I am not a scientist nor do I have extensive knowledge on this. From what I've seen/read, your best best is to keep them as cold as you can. I'm not sure about sand reducing the oxygen, but it seems like sand would be better than water if you have to put out a fire from one of these.
Data may be an issue for some, if they are viewing this on their device. Having 3,4 screens up of you guys sitting at yoir desks... if not necessary to the presentation, can the screens go black, with only audio? I myself, use this as audio only, and don't require to see you guys talk... is that something you can consider?
No, but you can listen to the audio-only version here: www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringpodcast/2022/10/12/firefighters-and-lithium-ion-battery-fires Our regular almost-daily podcasts are at www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringpodcast
Entirely wrong and dangerous information. 1. Lithium ion batteries don't use lithium in elemental form and don't react aggressively with water. 2. The only reliable way to actually ensure a battery fire doesn't reignite is to completely submerge it in water and keep it there. EV cars left in junkyards after fires have been know to reignite weeks later and the only solution is specially designed pools to keep the cars fully submerged in.
Lithium metal batteries are not rechargeable. Lithium ion batteries contain lithium which is only present in an ionic form in the electrolyte and are rechargeable. Lithium ion batteries can in fact be extinguished with water. It just takes lots of it. The water cools the cells to stop the thermal runaway.
