A world ruled by batteries

‘It just absolutely destroyed everything’: Warning issued over lithium-ion batteries

Yes there is a risk of fire from Lithium batteries. They are used in multiply appliances now including your laptops, phones, garden tools, ebikes and Electric Cars.

Here is some ABC sensationalism: Jeff never thought his e-bike battery could pose any kind of threat, until the day he left it charging in the garage and woke to find his home in ruins. Read the full story

Some suggestions re managing risk. Note that slow charging of lithium batteries such as at home is less risky than fast charging. Some power tools come with fast chargers so the worker can get back to work faster, or have one battery charging while another one is on charge.

Key measures:

Buy brand name batteries only with the manufacturer’s charger. Don’t buy a charger or battery over the web on line. It may not meet Australian Standards. Even so LG recent started recalling a home battery pack for solar PV system owners.

Charge batteries using timers to limit charging time and prevent overheating.

Charge in a cool environment .

Charge on a non-flammable surface – E.g. concrete, cement sheet, stone, paver

Keep other flammable materials or liquids safe distance away > 10 metres

Put battery and charger in an enclosed fire resistant purpose built space (see the renew link below)

Get an infrared non-contact thermometer and use that to check the temperature of the battery while it is charging so you know what is normal from new. You can buy these at Jaycar.

Check with local fire brigade re suggestions – they might come to your house??

Fire alarms – probably should be hard wired with battery backup.

Fire extinguishers – which class is best and how effective

Safety breathing apparatus – flumes from lithium fire are very toxic

Don’t get fears and safety out of perspective as lots of fires occur in homes from multiple causes but battery fires are on the increase as more battery powered appliances are used.

I probably wouldn’t choose to fight a lithium battery fire, I would probably Run…………………..

But nor would I fight a fire in my house in a room with BBQ gas bottles, petrol, kero Etc such as I stored in my workshop or back room. I have recently removed all flamable liquids and gas bottles to a garden shed where I store paint and some diesel fuel. But I don’t store lithium batteries there as the shed gets very hot.

Here’s some reliable links

https://www.productsafety.gov.au/products/electronics-technology/lithium-ion-batteries

https://rac.com.au/home-life/info/lithium-battery-fires

(1) BMW I3 DIY Fire Risk Preparedness – YouTube