From mobile phones to power batteries for ship propulsion systems, lithium-ion batteries power devices used every day in the marine, commercial, and private sectors. As they have a high energy density, even lithium-ion batteries used in smaller devices — such as laptops, appliances, tools, and jet skis — present a variety of fire hazards that demand superior fire protection.

These batteries pose risks that include overheating—especially during charging—and internal pressure buildup that can lead to the explosion of the battery.

Multi-cell batteries can present an even higher risk, as neighbouring cells can ignite and transform the entire battery into a hazard with temperatures potentially exceeding 1000°C/1832°F.

Also, external forces, such as mechanical damage or external heat sources, can cause the battery to become a fire hazard.

New F-500 portable extinguishers really deliver

The new F-500 fire extinguishers provide superior protection through the cooling of superheated surfaces; high penetration of the extinguishing agent into the flammable material; and encapsulation of liquid fuel and potentially toxic exhaust gases. Fire extinguishers that blanket the burning battery with the goal of cutting off oxygen to help prevent reflash (e.g., D-powder) have not yielded positive results in practice. In some cases, a lithium-ion battery may release oxygen itself when burning, and the explosions of the cells can destroy the battery’s casing because of the kinetic energy of the violently discharged gases.

F-500 proves itself in rigorous testing

The fire hazard of lithium-ion batteries stems primarily from the flammable electrolytes — not the lithium — inside the battery. This may ignite if there is a temperature increase.

In cooperation with the Energy Research Centre of Lower Saxony (EFZN) Goslar, rigorous month-long fire behaviour tests were conducted on various types of lithium-ion batteries to address the spread of fire, temperature measurement, air emissions, and sewage water analysis with and without extinguishing the burning batteries. The extinguishing agent additive, F-500 (2 percent admixture to water), proved to be exceptionally effective.

The independent Dutch certification body KIWA, which oversees the testing and certification of extinguishing devices, tested and evaluated the F-500 extinguishing alongside common extinguishing agents such as powder and foam. Tests (KIWA no. 16120045) concluded that, of the tested agents, when used properly, only the F-500 was able to extinguish the burning lithium-ion batteries and reliably stop the spread of fire caused by thermal runaways before the cells exploded. The battery did not re-ignite in any test after suppression. This is because of the F-500‘s ability to penetrate and cool, a characteristic not found in dry chemical or powder agents.

According to the KIWA report:

A hand fire extinguisher unit with the F-500 Encapsulator Agent as an additive is significantly better at achieving suppression mode directly after ignition of a single 1.9 kWh Cleantron battery than a hand fire extinguisher using standard powder or foam.

The F-500 hand fire extinguisher is recommended for application on a lithium-ion battery fire, taking into account the attempt to achieve suppression of a lithium-ion battery fire is not without any danger because of the possible explosive behaviour of the battery.

Other Applications

In addition to lithium-ion batteries, F-500 portable extinguishers help protect against a wide array of potential fire hazards including:

• Solar panels
• Manufacturing, processing and storage of rubber (Including tyres)
• Plastic and foil processing
• Mixed waste (Disposal and recycling)
• Manufacturing, processing, storage and warehousing of plastics
• Small load carriers