Lithium-ion batteries, while highly energy-dense and efficient, can occasionally malfunction or become damaged. When this happens, a chain reaction called thermal runaway can occur, leading to a fire, explains fires safety solutions company SafeQuip.

This kind of thermal runaway can be triggered when the battery is faulty as a result of physical damage, overcharging, or a manufacturing defect. This causes the affected cells inside the battery to swell and release hot, flammable gases. These gases can ignite at high temperatures, with the fire able to quickly spread to neighbouring cells or flammable materials.

Traditional fire extinguishers combat most common fires involving materials such as wood, paper, or flammable liquids, by removing one or more elements of the fire triangle, namely heat, oxygen and fuel. However, lithium-ion battery fires possess characteristics which reduce the effectiveness of regular fire extinguishers. Factors that make traditional fire extinguishers less effective against lithium-ion battery fires include:

• Lack of appropriate agents: traditional fire extinguishers use agents such as water, foam, or dry chemicals, which may not be suitable for lithium-ion battery fires because they do not address the unique challenges posed by the high-energy density of the batteries.
• Inadequate cooling: cooling the flames of a lithium-ion battery fire with water is not sufficient. While water can lower the temperature temporarily, the fire can reignite because the root cause - the internal reactions within the battery- sustains the fire.
• Re-ignition risk:  if the battery is still compromised and the thermal runaway is not stopped, there is a risk of fire re-ignition once the extinguishing agent from a traditional fire extinguisher dissipates.
• Electrical conductivity: Many traditional extinguishing agents are conductive, which means they can cause short circuits in electronic devices such as lithium-ion batteries.

Lith-Ex fire extinguishers contain aqueous vermiculite dispersion (AVD), which is a fire extinguishing agent designed specifically to combat the challenges posed by lithium-ion battery fires. AVD comprises a naturally-occurring mineral called vermiculite, which is combined with water. The agent cools, encapsulates, , and extinguishes lithium battery fires while also preventing fire propagation.

SafeQuip notes that its Lith-Ex fire extinguisher range is SANS 1910-2022 approved and carries NTA 8133:2021 (KIWA/POOO55865) test approval. The fire extinguishers are available in various sizes to suit specific needs and environments and can be purchased from select retailers and servicing agents.