Cheat sheet: what you need to know about lithium-ion batteries and fire hazards

By On Aug 22, 2022

RYAN ANDERSON/STUFFAuckland Central Fire Station is one of the busiest in the country, and firefighters there say the challenges they face could soon affect the public. This year alone there have been 35 house fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in New Zealand. An Auckland woman recently told how her house was engulfed in flames due to the spontaneous combustion of a battery for a drill that was not in use or being charged at the time. So what do you need to know about lithium-ion batteries and the fire risk they can pose? What is a lithium-ion battery? A lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that is known for being small, light, and long-lasting. READ MORE: * Unplugged lithium-ion battery spontaneously combusts, destroying Auckland home * Burning question: Why do EV battery fires happen? * The battery represents a bottleneck in EV adoption. They are often used to power a variety of devices, including smartphones, laptops, e-bikes, e-cigarettes, power tools, toys and cars. I have lithium-ion batteries at home, should I be worried? According to Todd O’Donoghue, Risk Mitigation and Investigations Manager for Fire and Emergency NZ, those who have lithium-ion batteries at home need not worry. However, O’Donoghue said that “as with any product, a small number of these batteries may be defective”. This can cause them to overheat, catch fire or explode. In rare cases they have been known to spontaneously combust during charging, for example. Delivered, Morgan Cramp lost her Meadowbank home in a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery on July 14. What can I do to reduce the risk of a lithium-ion battery? There are a few key things you can do to reduce the risk of lithium-ion batteries. Don’t: Charge all devices under your pillow, on your bed or couch. Use or charge a battery that shows signs e swelling, overheating or any other form of damage. Leave devices in direct sunlight or hot vehicles. Dispose of lithium ion batteries in general waste. Leave discarded batteries in piles. Do: Use only the battery and charger designed for the device. Store and charge devices on non-flammable surfaces. Dispose of lithium-ion batteries for recycling. Gabrielle McCulloch/Stuff There have been 35 house fires in New Zealand this year alone caused by lithium-ion batteries. (File photo) What causes lithium-ion batteries to catch fire? What actually causes lithium-ion batteries to catch fire varies, but manufacturing defects, design flaws, abnormal or improper use, and charger problems are known to cause them to catch fire. When a battery is faulty or fails, it produces a very intense flash of flame, which can then cause flammable materials around it to ignite. What should I do if my lithium-ion battery catches fire? If you notice the battery swelling, smoking, or overheating, and it is safe to do so, turn off the power and move the device away from flammable materials. However, if you are in any kind of immediate danger, leave the device, remove yourself from the situation and call 911.

The central Auckland fire station is one of the busiest in the country, and firefighters there say the challenges they face could soon affect the public.

There have been 35 house fires in New Zealand this year alone caused by lithium-ion batteries.

An Auckland woman recently told how her house was engulfed in flames due to the spontaneous combustion of a battery for a drill that was not in use or being charged at the time.

So what do you need to know about lithium-ion batteries and the fire risk they can pose?

A lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that is known for being small, light, and long-lasting.

READ MORE: * Unplugged lithium-ion battery spontaneously combusts, destroying Auckland home * Burning question: Why do EV battery fires happen? * Battery causes stall in EV adoption

They are often used to power a variety of devices, including smartphones, laptops, e-bikes, e-cigarettes, power tools, toys and cars.

I have lithium-ion batteries at home, should I be worried?

According to Todd O’Donoghue, Risk Mitigation and Investigations Manager for Fire and Emergency NZ, those who have lithium-ion batteries at home need not worry.

However, O’Donoghue said that “as with any product, a small number of these batteries may be defective”.

This can cause them to overheat, catch fire or explode. In rare cases, they have been known to spontaneously combust during charging, for example.

Morgan Cramp lost her Meadowbank home in a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery on July 14.

What can I do to reduce the risk of lithium-ion batteries?

There are a few key things you can do to reduce the risk of lithium-ion batteries.

There have been 35 house fires in New Zealand this year alone caused by lithium-ion batteries. (File photo)

What causes lithium-ion batteries to catch fire?

What actually causes lithium-ion batteries to catch fire varies, but manufacturing defects, design flaws, abnormal or improper use, and charger problems are known to cause them to catch fire.

When a battery is faulty or fails, it produces a very intense flash of flame, which can then cause flammable materials around it to ignite.

What should I do if my lithium-ion battery catches fire?

If you notice the battery swelling, smoking, or overheating, and it is safe to do so, turn off the power and move the device away from flammable materials.

However, if you are in any kind of immediate danger, leave the device, remove yourself from the situation and call 911.

Contents

How do lithium battery fires start?

Once one battery cell goes into thermal runaway, it produces enough heat to cause neighboring battery cells to go into thermal runaway as well. This produces a fire that continues to flare as each cell of the battery in turn bursts and releases its contents.

How to stop a lithium-ion battery fire? Reduce the risk of lithium battery fire

Avoid storage at high temperatures. Do not keep batteries in hot vehicles. …
Avoid keeping all your items containing lithium-ion batteries together. When you travel, especially on a plane, you will have all your electronic items in one bag. …
Avoid overcharging batteries.

Do lithium batteries explode when not in use?

Just leaving your phone out in the sun for too long shouldn’t cause the battery to explode or catch fire. However, if a lithium battery is exposed to extremely high temperatures for a long period of time, it may explode.

Can lithium batteries spontaneously combust?

Butler: Lithium batteries are capable of spontaneous combustion and subsequent explosion due to overheating. This can be caused by a short circuit, rapid discharge, overcharging, manufacturer error, poor design, or mechanical damage, among many other causes.

How likely is a lithium battery to explode?

But in reality, lithium battery fires are rare. According to tech reporting site CNET, your odds of a lithium battery catching fire are about 1 in 10 million.

Can an unused battery explode?

Risks. There is always a risk associated with any battery. Old batteries can explode, leak, emit harmful gases or, as we have seen, catch fire.

Do lithium batteries start on fire?

Heat: It is completely normal for batteries to generate some heat during charging or use. But if your device’s lithium-ion battery is extremely hot to the touch, there’s a good chance it’s faulty and a fire hazard. Swelling: When a lithium battery fails, another common sign is swelling of the battery.

Can lithium batteries self ignite?

How many fires are caused by lithium batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries caused 60 fires in five municipalities between Jan. 1 and May 3 of this year, according to the FDNY. City data shows that’s a 233% increase over the same period last year, which saw 18 fires between January 1 and May 3, 2021.

Can lithium batteries catch on fire?

From a non-technical point of view, lithium-ion batteries catch fire because they are extremely sensitive to high temperatures, even degrading much faster than ordinary batteries due to heat. They are highly flammable inside.

What causes a lithium battery to catch fire?

Most fires that occur from lithium batteries are caused by thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when conditions are met that cause a reaction that cannot be easily stopped. These reactions are exothermic, meaning they give off heat, and that heat can be enough to cause a fire.

What do you do when a lithium battery catches on fire?

Small lithium-ion batteries can be doused with water because they contain little lithium metal. Lithium metal battery fires can be extinguished with a Class D fire extinguisher. Larger battery fires are best handled with foam, CO2, dry chemical ABC, graphite powder, copper powder or sodium carbonate extinguishers.

How common are lithium battery fires?

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that there were more than 25,000 problems involving fires or overheating caused by lithium-ion batteries over a five-year period.

How likely is a lithium battery to explode?

But in reality, lithium battery fires are rare. According to tech reporting site CNET, your odds of a lithium battery catching fire are about 1 in 10 million.

Is it OK to touch a lithium battery?

► Exposure to lithium can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. ► Lithium can cause headache, muscle weakness, twitching, blurred vision, loss of coordination, tremors, confusion, seizures, and coma.

Is touching a lithium battery dangerous? âº Exposure to lithium can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. âº Lithium can cause headache, muscle weakness, twitching, blurred vision, loss of coordination, tremors, confusion, seizures and coma.

How toxic are lithium batteries?

The research, published in Nano Energy, identified more than 100 toxic gases released by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, including carbon monoxide. Gases are potentially deadly, can cause severe irritation of the skin, eyes and nasal passages, and harm the wider environment.

How harmful are lithium batteries?

Composition. Lithium-ion batteries contain fewer toxic metals than other batteries that might contain toxic metals such as lead or cadmium, so they are generally considered non-hazardous waste.

Are lithium batteries cancerous?

Seriously, there is almost no chance of a link between lithium-ion batteries and cancer. Some may be nickel or chrome plated, and some people may be sensitive to handling them, but that’s more a matter of allergies than cancer.

What toxins are in lithium batteries?

Lithium batteries contain potentially toxic materials including metals, such as copper, nickel and lead, and organic chemicals, such as toxic and flammable electrolytes containing LiClO4, LiBF4 and LiPF6.

Are batteries toxic to touch?

Batteries are safe, but caution is necessary when handling damaged cells and when handling lead-acid systems that have access to lead and sulfuric acid. Several countries label lead acid as a hazardous material, and rightfully so. Lead can be a health hazard if not handled properly.

How toxic are batteries?

Environmental exposure to lead and strong corrosive acids found in batteries can cause burns and hazards to our eyes and skin. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, toxic metals such as nickel and cadmium found in batteries are known human carcinogens.

What happens if you touch battery?

For a human touching a car battery, the skin has a very high resistance, resulting in a low current; and the battery has low voltage, which leads to low current. Although a car battery can provide a large amount of current if properly connected, your body does not consume this large amount of current.

Do I have to wash my hands after touching batteries?

Always practice good hygiene and wash your hands after handling the battery and before eating. If you handle the lead plates in the battery and do not wash your hands properly, you can be exposed to lead.

What happens if you hit a lithium-ion battery?

A punctured lithium-ion battery can in some cases lead to a serious fire. Strong electrolytes can leak through the hole, often creating chemical reactions that release heat. This heat can then damage other battery cells, creating a chain reaction of damage. This process is called thermal runaway.

Should you attempt to fight a lithium battery?

Before watching the video, keep in mind that lithium-ion battery fires are very different from traditional fires because they present complex and serious hazards. Persons without the necessary skills and personal protective equipment should not attempt to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire.

What happens if you hit a lithium battery with a hammer?

A hammer blow to the battery caused deformations in the internal structure of the battery, which led to an internal short circuit. This created heat which accelerated the reaction leading to more heat. It’s a vicious cycle called “thermal runaway” that results in a fire or explosion.

Can you ruin a lithium-ion battery?

You don’t have to worry too much about destroying your lithium-ion batteries. It will naturally degrade over time. But if you don’t constantly charge to the max and then drain them until they’re completely dead, your batteries will last longer, which is something you should always keep in mind.

Can lithium batteries catch fire when not in use?

However, lithium-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to high temperatures and inherently flammable. These battery packs tend to degrade much faster than usual due to the heat. If a lithium-ion battery fails, it will catch fire and can cause extensive damage.

How common are lithium battery fires? The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that there were more than 25,000 problems involving fires or overheating caused by lithium-ion batteries over a five-year period.

Do lithium batteries explode when not in use?

Can lithium batteries spontaneously combust?

Can an unused battery explode?

Risks. There is always a risk associated with any battery. Old batteries can explode, leak, emit harmful gases or, as we have seen, catch fire.

What is the main reason some lithium batteries explode?

The chemicals inside the battery begin to heat up, causing further degradation of the separator. The battery can eventually reach temperatures in excess of 1000° F. At which point the flammable electrolyte can catch fire or even explode when exposed to oxygen in the air.

Do lithium batteries spontaneously combust?

How likely is a lithium battery to explode?

But in reality, lithium battery fires are rare. According to tech reporting site CNET, your odds of a lithium battery catching fire are about 1 in 10 million.

Can lithium ion batteries randomly explode?

Fortunately, large explosions caused by Li-ion batteries are an uncommon occurrence. However, if they are exposed to the wrong conditions, there is a small chance that they will catch fire or explode.

What causes lithium batteries to combust?

How explosive are lithium batteries?

Lithium batteries are extremely powerful and potentially explosive. When they are repeatedly charged, something called dendrites can form and can short circuit, causing the battery to catch fire.

What happens if a lithium battery explodes? As a result of this high energy density, when a lithium-ion battery explodes, injuries can be catastrophic. An explosion of a lithium-ion battery can cause severe burns and, in rare cases, even death.

Do lithium batteries explode exposed to air?

What is the biggest cause of lithium ion batteries exploding?

While lithium-ion batteries have built-in protection that prevents them from being overcharged, using unofficial chargers can damage the battery in the long run. In addition to manufacturing defects, the use of low-quality components is one of the most common causes of battery failures.

How likely is a lithium battery to explode?

But in reality, lithium battery fires are rare. According to tech reporting site CNET, your odds of a lithium battery catching fire are about 1 in 10 million.

Does lithium explode exposed to air?

Finely divided lithium particles, powder or dust can SPONTANEOUSLY IGNITE in AIR. Lithium reacts violently with MOISTURE, WATER or STEAM and produces heat and flammable and explosive hydrogen gas and toxic lithium hydroxide.

How likely is a lithium battery to explode?

But in reality, lithium battery fires are rare. According to tech reporting site CNET, your odds of a lithium battery catching fire are about 1 in 10 million.