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July 12, 2024

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What you need to know about Firechief® Lithium-ion battery fire blankets

Lithium-ion battery fire blankets are specially designed to fight the risk of Lithium-ion battery fires.

As a relatively ‘new’ risk and a new product we thought there may be some questions regarding their use and makeup, so we’ve collated a list of questions and answers to help you.

 

Q: What is a fire blanket?

A: Firstly, let’s start with the basics.  A fire blanket can be draped over a fire to smother and deprive the fire of oxygen.  This contains the fire in a controlled way.

The size of fire that can be tackled with a fire blanket depends on the size of the fire blanket and the user’s confidence that they will be able to place the blanket over the fire without the risk of harm.

 

Q: What does the Lithium-ion battery (LiB) fire blanket do?

A: The Lithium-ion battery fire blanket tackles a different type of fire.  When a Lithium-ion battery burns, it is as a result of a chemical reaction.  This makes it more difficult to fight as it burns very hot (in excess of 1000◦), releases toxic gases, and can sustain itself for long periods of time.

Lithium-ion battery fire blankets work in the same way as normal fire blankets; containing and controlling the fire by smothering it. However, the Lithium-ion battery blanket is made from a specialist material to withstand the extreme temperatures and neutralise the gases released.

 

Q: Where can the Lithium-ion Battery fire blanket be used?

A: A Lithium-ion battery fire blanket can be used on any device containing a lithium-ion battery,  including electric vehicles (EVs), e-scooters and e-bikes, drills, laptops, mobile phones, and more!  There are a multitude of sizes and types to suit each piece of equipment.

 

Q: What material are the Firechief® Lithium-ion battery fire blankets made of?

A: All Firechief® Lithium-ion battery fire blankets are made from coated fibreglass, which is designed to withstand temperatures in excess of 1000°C.  The material has been tested to Standard EN13501 through KIWA.

 

Q: What standard is the Firechief® Lithium-ion battery fire blanket accredited to?

A: There are currently no British or EU standards available to test this type of fire blanket on Lithium-ion battery fires.  However, Firechief Lithium-ion battery fire blankets have undergone independent tests at KIWA (the European equivalent to BSI).

An independent test on the Firechief® 3 x 3m blankets was successfully completed using a 950W battery.  Another independent test on the Firechief® 1.5 x 1.5m blanket was successfully completed using a 450W battery.

 

Q: What types and sizes of Lithium-ion battery fire blankets do Firechief® supply?

A: Firechief® supply the following:

  • Firechief® Single Use Car Fire Blanket 6 x 8m (FCB68S)
  • Firechief® Multi Use Car Fire Blanket 6 x 8m (FCB68M)

A smaller 1.5 x 1.5m blanket:

  • Firechief® Multi Use Battery Fire Blanket 1.55 x 1.55m (BFB/S)

And a 3 x 3m blanket:

  • Firechief® Single Use Battery Fire Blanket 3 x 3m (FBB3S)
  • Firechief® Multi Use Battery Fire Blanket 3 x 3m (FBB3M)

 

Q: What is the lifting weight of the carry handles of the car fire blankets?

A: The Firechief® car fire blankets have had the carry handles tested to 55kg pull per handle, which  means that the EV and car fire blanket can tolerate a weight of 110kg.

 

Q: Can a Lithium-ion battery fire blanket be used more than once?

A: There are two types of blankets in the Firechief® Lithium-ion battery range: single-use and multi-use.

The multi-use blankets can, of course, be used more than once, although we would recommend a thorough visual inspection of the blanket after every use including:

  • Making sure there is no penetration of the blanket
  • Making sure there were no flames through the blanket
  • Checking for any nicks, tears, melted battery elements, or chemicals

However, we would also recommend using the multi-use blanket a maximum of twice, as the blankets are not suitable for cleaning – they should be visually inspected and then folded back into their original packaging.

 

Q: How do you store a Lithium-ion battery fire blanket and how long does it last?

A: Lithium-ion battery fire blankets should be kept in a dry, ventilated place.  If kept in the recommended environment the Firechief® blanket will be usable for a minimum of 5 years.

 

Q: How do you dispose of a Lithium-ion battery fire blanket?

A: The Firechief® blanket is made of a fabric used for industrial application but has no significant hazards. This means that there is no special restriction on its disposal – normally through controlled industrial landfill sites.

However, if the blanket has been used and was exposed to Lithium-ion battery products, we recommend that the user should consult their local authority or national regulations for the correct route of disposal.   This is due to the fact that Lithium-ion batteries can release toxic gases when burning and may transfer harmful or hazardous materials to the blanket which cannot go through normal waste disposal routes.

New Firechief® Pallet Covers launched!

Last month, Firechief® launched its innovative new product – Lithium-ion battery pallet covers, which are designed to provide superior fire protection for goods during transportation and storage.  Made from high-performance materials, they are durable and easy to install and maintain, ensuring long-term protection and peace of mind.

Here are just a few questions you might like the answer to:

Q: How do the Firechief® pallet covers perform in different environments?

A: They perform well in extreme conditions. Made from fire-resistant material, they can withstand temperatures up to 1300°C, making them suitable for containing fire involving Lithium-ion batteries.

Q: What materials are they made of, and how durable are they?

Firechief® pallet covers are constructed from a high-performance fibreglass and polymer combination. They are resistant to physical damage such as tears or punctures that might occur during transportation and handling.

Q: Do the pallet covers comply with any standards or certifications?

A: Yes. The material used in Firechief® pallet covers has been tested in accordance with BS EN 13501-1:2018, a European standard for fire classification of construction products and building elements.

Q: How do you install and maintain the pallet covers?

A: Installation is very straightforward. The cover has one open side and features a small tolerance on each side, allowing for easy fitting over a pallet. For maintenance, keep them clean and check them regularly for any signs of wear or damage in the material of the cover which can compromise its effectiveness in a fire situation.

Q: What sizes do the pallet covers come in?

A:  In warehousing and storage, there are a lot of variations in pallet sizes and heights, so Firechief® has  taken a customised approach and is able to create a pallet cover to suit any specific requirement.

 

 

Additional resources:

E-Book ‘Lithium-ion Battery Fires – a guide to the risk that isn’t going away but can be managed’

Podcast – Lithium-ion Battery Fires – what you need to know

Firechief® Academy CPD accredited training courses

2023 Fire Safety eBook – Grab your free copy!

Download the Fire Safety in 2023 eBook, keeping you up to date with the biggest news and prosecution stories from around the industry. Chapters include important updates such as the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and an overview of the new British Standard for the digital management of fire safety information.

Plus, we explore the growing risks of lithium-ion battery fires and hear from experts in disability evacuation and social housing.

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