FM 200 isn’t effective with this type of hazard. With lithium batteries being charged, overcharging or a defect can lead to a thermal run-away condition which causes the batteries to vent. When they do that, the gases being vented can ignite. The danger is that while a suppression gas might reduce the flame front from the battery, if not immediately dealt with, there is great potential for re-ignition and with gaseous systems we know we only have one shot. Most manufacturers have CO2 or Dry Chemical extinguishing as one option but recommend water for battling lithium ion battery fires.
Lithium batteries are not the same hazard as lithium metal shavings or lithium metals in other forms which are water reactive. The electrolyte is typically comprised of a lithium salt composition, this is not the same as pure lithium. I’ve attached an excerpt from Energizer Battery’s Product Safety Datasheet referring to firefighting measures for batteries involved in a fire. Water is the main resource used then backed up with Lith-X fire extinguishers or other smothering means to accomplish final extinguishment of a battery fire if needed. “If fire or explosion occurs when batteries are on charge, shut off power to charger. In case of fire where lithium ion batteries are present, flood the area with water. If any batteries are burning, water may not extinguish them, but will cool the adjacent batteries and control the spread of fire. CO2, dry chemical, and foam extinguishers are preferred for small fires, but also may not extinguish burning lithium ion batteries. Burning batteries will burn themselves out. Virtually all fires involving lithium ion batteries can be controlled with water. When water is used, however, hydrogen gas may be evolved which can form an explosive mixture with air. LITH-X (powdered graphite) or copper powder fire extinguishers, sand, dry ground dolomite or soda ash may also be used. These materials act as smothering agents. “ Also rememeber that these batteries are typically contained within plastic casings so plastic is another part of the equation when selecting suppression methodology. FM Global had a white paper on battery storage and protection schemes all based on sprinklers. To find more info do a simple Google search on LITHIUM ION BATTERY SDS or MSDS and then look at the fire fighting section of those sheets. Also ask the client for his SDS on the product, you should find mfgr recommendations there. Craig L. Prahl Fire Protection Group Lead/SME CH2M 200 Verdae Blvd. Greenville, SC 29607 Direct - 864.920.7540 Fax - 864.920.7129 CH2MHILL Extension 77540 [email protected] From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Wayne Cordiner Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2017 3:42 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Lithium Batteries [EXTERNAL] James, For a space with such a small volume as 1280 cubic feet I think the simplest and most effective would be a stand alone clean agent suppression system (FM-200/Novec 1230). Besides superior extinguishing capabilities, it will have no negative effects on the equipment being stored/tested there, should the system deploy. You would need a small fire alarm panel, a couple detectors/pull station, and a small area to house the tank. Hope this helps, but feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Regards, Wayne T. Cordiner Jr. 917-426-5844 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 3:23 PM, James Crawford <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: We have someone that has a 20’ x 8’ x8’ metal shipping container in their warehouse that they use to test lithium batteries, the AHJ want them to sprinkler this space, but the application of water to the batteries is not the best solution. Any ideas out there? Thank you James Crawford Phaser Fire Protection Ltd. Phone 604-888-0318<tel:(604)%20888-0318> Fax 604-888-4732<tel:(604)%20888-4732> Cel 604-790-0938<tel:(604)%20790-0938> Email [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Web www.phaserfire.ca<http://www.phaserfire.ca> _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
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