Electrical items pose increasing fire risk

As Lithium-ion batteries are in most electrical products used in our daily lives, the risk of lithium battery fires in the home and at work is becoming a growing problem. The research carried out by Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) as early as 2020, identified the risk associated by Lithium Batteries and showed that reported incidents in New Zealand and globally are growing significantly and advised potential actions that could be taken to mitigate the fire threat posed by these batteries.

With Lithium-ion batteries being a key component for products such as power tools, computers, personal devices, scooters and bikes, cars and with a push for thinner, lighter lithium batteries with higher storage capacities. The fire hazard they pose is increasing due to fires caused by overcharging, physical impact, overheating, internal cell failure, short circuits, or manufacturing defects.

To help mitigate this risk, Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD) is a revolutionary fire extinguishing agent that has been developed specifically to combat lithium battery fires. The water content of the agent cools and suppresses the fire, while the Vermiculite encapsulates the fuel source creating a thermal barrier to prevent the propagation and reignition of the fire. AVD is also twice as effective as water on Class A fires and is environmentally friendly. For more information visit – www.fire-protection.com.au

The following safety guidelines to mitigate the fire risk were recommended by London Fire Brigade:

• Always use the charger that came with your device

• If you need to buy a replacement, always choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust. There are a lot of fakes on the market, and it can be difficult to spot the difference

• Avoid storing, using, or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures

• Protect batteries against being damaged through crushing, puncturing or immersion in water

• Don’t leave items continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete, e.g., don’t leave your phone plugged in overnight

• Never cover chargers or charging devices, this includes using your laptop power lead in bed

• When you travel, avoid keeping all your items containing lithium-ion batteries together, especially on a plane

The information contained within this article is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions based upon this information, we advise the reader to consult any and all relevant statutory or regulatory guidance and where felt necessary to consult a qualified fire or industry regulation professional. The use or reliance on any information contained herein is solely at the reader’s risk.