Lithium-ion battery fires

Lithium-ion Battery Fires An Overview

by with One Comment Lithium-ion Battery Fires

The Lithium-ion battery was invented in 1982. These batteries are completely different from the standard lithium battery. Lithium batteries are the standard non-rechargeable batteries and are very safe. Lithium-ion batteries, however, are rechargeable and this is where the problems come from. Lithium-ion battery fires are not common but the odds can be increased by the wrong practices. These batteries are not unsafe as such but they certainly have their risks.

As these batteries are rechargeable they store lots of energy relative to their size. As they are so small, they are very accessible and therefore are used for all different rechargeable products of all different shapes and sizes.

As the technology has developed for these Lithium-ion batteries, they have been able to hold more and more energy relative to their size, and this is what has made them more dangerous as time has progressed. In the modern household, they can be seen everywhere from our phones, watches, laptops, earphones and even more recently popular e-bikes and e-scooters which have been shown to be the most dangerous in the latest statistics. There have been 102 fires associated with e-bikes and scooters so far in 2023. This then forecasts to 338 for the whole year. This is a massive increase from the 227 fires caused by electrical scooters and bikes in 2022.

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere but how are they dangerous and what causes them to start fires? Most of the time Lithium-ion batteries are safe and will never start a fire with safe and sensible usage, but when they are used with little care, this is when they can be a danger.

Overcharging

One of the causes of the Lithium-ion battery actually setting on fire is when the battery is overcharged. This is when the battery is constantly being charged over its optimal charge window and even still past 100%. The biggest culprit for this is people such as phone users who leave their phones charging overnight, every night. This then eventually over time wears the battery out until just one time it could explode and burst into flames.

This is also a growing problem with e-bikes and e-scooters as they are another common item that is left to charge for extended periods of time. Lithium-ion batteries have an optimal window of charge which is 30-70% and maybe 20-80% for some products. If a battery is kept in this window at all times, the wear on the battery will stay minimal for a long time, therefore leading to longer life of the battery and less chance of it starting a fire.

Overheating

Another factor is whether the battery is overheating. Overheating can be caused by many different things such as blocked ventilation or overexposure to direct heat such as the sun. With electrical cars or EVs using large Lithium-ion batteries to function, these can also have this as an added risk. In a few situations overheating due to being in extreme heat for too long has led to fires in the batteries of the electric cars. These fires are usually very dangerous as an EV has a huge Lithium-ion battery in it which then will explode into flames if this problem occurs. The battery itself is spread along the whole bottom of the car. Some cases of this have been involved with Teslas that have gone up in flames by overheating. 

Another common reason for Lithium-ion battery fires being caused by overheating is leaving products such as phones charging under objects like pillows or blankets where ventilation is poor. These fires are dangerous as they are likely in or under a very flammable material and would allow the fire to spread with ease.

Spreading knowledge and knowing about the dangers of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is important as they are a growing danger in the modern home and in modern life in general. With these fires’ spontaneous nature and their huge dangers, e-bikes and e-scooters have been banned from all London transport systems after a number of fires on the network caused by these rechargeable vehicles. 

Disposal

Li-ion battery fires can sometimes occur after the disposal of the batteries themselves. These can happen if the battery is penetrated or crushed. These scenarios are a danger when disposing of and maybe even still at the end of the life of one of these batteries. 

When a Lithium-ion battery is penetrated, this can lead to the potent electrolytes leaking through the hole in the battery, which then often creates a chemical reaction that releases heat. This in turn heats the other cells in the battery and can lead to thermal runaway.

Thermal runaway is when a cell of the Li-ion battery enters a self-heating uncontrollable stage which leads to an explosion and then a fire. This is a huge danger when disposing of these batteries, on a domestic scale officials recommend placing and leaving the batteries in salt water for at least two weeks and then disposing of them as hazardous waste. If one of these batteries were to get to landfill and get damaged this could lead to thermal runaway and then turn into a huge fire causing the whole site to get engulfed in flames. So when disposing of and dealing with damaged Li-ion batteries please take great care.

Dealing with Lithium-ion battery fires

So if a Li-ion battery fire does occur, what are you supposed to do and how do you deal with it? If you know about fire classification, you may think these would fall into Class D fires (flammable metals). However, this is incorrect. This also means they cannot be extinguished with the Specialist Class D extinguishers like flammable metal fires can.

However, there are some types of fire extinguishers that can extinguish these very dangerous fires. Some of the latest products that are being developed and produced are AVD Vermiculite fire extinguishers and EV fire blankets. The EV fire blanket is specifically designed for electric vehicles and is placed directly over the electric car to maintain the fire. These fires are much harder to put out as these fires burn at around 700℃ to 1,000℃ and can burn for up to 24 hours. But with the EV fire blanket, it can drastically reduce this time by depriving the fire of oxygen. 

The AVD Vermiculite fire extinguishers are products aimed to try to target all types of Li-ion battery fires. They are a water-based extinguishing system with vermiculite particles suspended in the water to act as a smothering tool to stop the fire from receiving oxygen. These extinguishers are designed to deprive the fire of heat and oxygen and act as an electrical barrier. Currently, there is no British standard for these types of extinguishers and technology, so the companies that produce them are working hard to get them certified for use industrially.

Firexo

However, there is one fire extinguisher that stands out in this field. That is the Firexo all-purpose fire extinguisher. This Firexo extinguisher can be used on all types of fires, including Lithium-ion battery fires. The Firexo extinguishers that we sell have the Kitemark to BS EN3 which means that are approved to British Standards. They also have the CE mark.

These extinguishers are non-toxic and biodegradable which makes them some of the most groundbreaking products of the fire industry. To find out more about Firexo click HERE.

Lithium-ion battery fire nottingham

Warning sent after faulty laptop causes home destroying fire in Nottingham

by with No Comment News

A fire investigation into a Nottingham house fire finds that the cause was a faulty laptop. This laptop was found to have suffered a lithium-ion battery failure after being left on charge overnight. The fire that it started destroyed the home of a family of four.

Around 3:35am on June 26, the fire service was called to a house on The Crescent in Woodthorpe, Nottingham.

The smoke alarms inside the house sounded meaning the family of four had a chance to escape in time. Had the fire alarms not been installed or working, the consequences could have been devastating.

Beth Hayman, Fire Investigation Officer, said: “This is a very devastating incident in which a family lost their house and belongings.”

“I urge everyone not to continuously charge electrical devices and to ensure they are switched off at the wall socket overnight. When charging devices ensure they are charged using the manufactured product from the device provider.”

“Fortunately, due to the working smoke alarms within the property, the family managed to escape to safety. Make sure you test your alarms regularly as they save lives.”

Cases like this one emphasise the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. This simple failure could happen to anyone. Please avoid leaving electrical devices overnight or for an excessive period of time. To find out more, check out our blog on lithium-ion battery fires and the dangers of overcharging them by clicking HERE.

Lithium-ion batteries fire in Cannock

Firefighters investigating the cause of Cannock fire

by with No Comment News

Locals are given a reminder of the dangers when disposing of household waste, after a significant fire at the recycling centre in Cannock.

An investigation was launched into the cause of the fire, at the premises in Leacroft Lane was launched last Friday. Six crews attended the fire, which started just before 2pm on the day prior. Locals were advised to close all windows and doors for a significant amount of time through the afternoon.

The crews from, Cannock, Rugeley, Stafford, Lichfield and Penkridge were on site until 6:15pm when damping down began.

Cannock station manager Russ Brown, the incident commander at the scene, said: “I would like to thank the centre staff for their assistance in helping us to tackle the fire and establish some successful tactics to extinguish the blaze.”

“Without their swift actions, we could have seen the incident escalate.”

He said he would like to remind residents and businesses to ensure that they are safely disposing of their waste, particularly any Lithium-ion batteries which are often used in electronic devices. They should ensure they are stored in cool areas. As well as making sure nothing is covering them or blocking their extractors from working.

When disposing of Lithium-ion batteries, the correct action must be taken to minimise risks. To find out the practice to follow, find out in our blog post on Lithium-ion batteries HERE.

Derbion Car Fire

Derbion evacuated after a car fire in the underground car park

by with No Comment News

The Derbion shopping centre was evacuated this morning after a suspected car fire in the underground car park. Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service were on site and the entrance was taped off.

Two fire engines and three police cars were parked at the entrance to the car park, in an attempt to keep the public away from the blaze. Eyewitnesses reported that smoke was drawn through the shopping centre at around 11 am Saturday morning.

Footage seen by Derbyshire Live showed hundreds of shoppers making their way to the exits after fire alarms went off inside Derbion.

Someone who was there at the time said: “It was just crazy, people running out of the car park screaming ‘a car is on fire’. I was about to park my car and heard a massive bang! So I got out as fast as I could.”

“Big flames” were seen in the underground car park. Someone who saw the fire said they couldn’t tell what car was on fire, they just saw flames and smoke.

Most people own cars in the UK. They are usually very safe, but things like this can occur. People underestimate the danger of such events. What would you do if your car set on fire?

A small fire extinguisher is the perfect solution for your car. These extinguishers are smaller models, specifically designed for locations such as cars. These can be used in the event of a fire to stop a small flame from turning into a massive blaze. Firexo’s small fire extinguishers can be used to tackle a small flame before it escalates into something massive.

firexo large logo

Save money and simplify with Firexo

by with No Comment Information

Firexo is a revolutionary brand with fantastic sector-defining products. The all fires fire extinguisher is changing the way we think about fire safety. This extinguisher features some of the most groundbreaking research and development the market has seen. This fire extinguisher is able to be used on all types of fires, which gives it immense usability. What is so good about the Firexo product range?

Easy to use

The best part of the Firexo all fires fire extinguisher has to be that it is so easy to use. This ease of use is what makes it such a popular choice for all locations. Having the ability to simply pick up this fire extinguisher in an emergency situation and not have to worry about it being the correct extinguisher is simply unmatched. In locations that usually would require more than one type of fire extinguisher, this can easily lead to confusion in an emergency situation about which kind of extinguisher should be used.

Simplify your fire safety setup

With Firexo being able to cover all kinds of fires, this allows you to simplify your fire safety setup by decreasing the number of fire extinguishers required. Having fewer fire extinguishers can increase your fire cover. A business previously had 4 CO2 fire extinguishers and 4 Water fire extinguishers. This gave them all together 84A and 136B fire ratings as well as coverage of Electrical fires. They found out they could have only 2 Firexo 9L extinguishers and that would give them 110A, 366B, C, D, 150F, Lithium-Ion Battery fires and Electrical fire coverage.

Saving time and money

By decreasing the number of fire extinguishers you have to have with Firexo, you can save time when doing your monthly visual inspections and save money by doing less annual servicing.

Getting the Firexo extinguishers to you

Firexo products are only available for purchase through retailers and trade partners like us at Fireology. This makes sure that the customer gets the most from the whole fire extinguisher experience. Firexo recognises that their trade partners have a higher level of expertise in the areas of servicing and installation, and that’s why they leave it to experts like us.

2 litre firexo extinguisher
Firexo extinguisher on a wall

BSI Kitemark

Firexo has now been granted the BSI Kitemark certification for its fire extinguishers. This means all of its standard fire extinguishers produced from this point will feature the BSI Kitemark logo. This is great news, as some buildings and locations may need a fire extinguisher with this mark to meet regulations and now the Firexo extinguisher can be used for this. 

As an approved Firexo trade partner, here at Fireology, we have access to the Kitemarked models of fire extinguishers. For the foreseeable future, these Kitemarked extinguishers will only be able to be purchased via trade partners such as ourselves and not through retailers such as your large chain DIY stores.

The BSI Kitemark is a certification mark that indicates a product has been independently tested and verified to meet its specific requirements of safety, quality and performance. The mark is very prestigious in the field and is recognised worldwide as a symbol of excellence. 

 

Remove the worry with Firexo

A large Grammar School in Manchester recently undertook an audit of all of its fire safety equipment. Prior to Firexo, this school had 300 fire extinguishers and upon talking to the staff they discovered that the thought of them having to use one of these extinguishers in the event of a fire was “anxiety-inducing”. After Firexo’s extinguishers were implemented, the number of extinguishers required drastically fell from 300 to 214 but however gave them even more coverage. This reduction in the number of extinguishers alone will save time and money through reduced servicing and maintenance. Teachers said afterwards that they didn’t realise fire safety could be so simple and they felt they could be confident in being able to do the right thing in the event of a fire.

What to look out for in the future from Firexo

This year, Firexo has gone through some testing with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in terms of using these extinguishers for motorsports events. Firexo is very excited by this as everyone who has ever watched motorsport will know that fires aren’t a very uncommon sight in any motorsport category. Romain Grosjean’s crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, rose eyebrows at Firexo due to the lack of fire stopping power the extinguishers used for the crash had. This was something they believed the Firexo fire extinguisher could of tackled a lot sooner.

With a wide range of products, Firexo has the solution to all your fire protection needs.

Want to see the full range of Firexo products that we offer here at Fireology? If so click…

Full Firexo Range
Foam fire extinguisher prices

AFF Foam Fire Extinguisher Prices

by with One Comment Types of Fire Extinguisher

AFF Foam fire extinguishers are often a great option for any situation. They offer Class A and Class B fire coverage. The AFF Foam extinguisher is seen as an obvious upgrade from a Water extinguisher if the Water extinguisher doesn’t meet your needs. One of the bonuses of an AFF Foam extinguisher that is has increased knockdown capabilities. This gives it an increased fire rating over the Water extinguisher, also not forgetting that the extinguisher can also combat fires involving flammable liquids as well as fires involving solids such as paper, cardboard or any other combustible material. The AFF Foam fire extinguisher prices are very competitive and very reasonable for the product they offer.

Budget AFF Foam Fire Extinguisher Prices

This range of extinguishers is the lowest-priced AFF Foam extinguishers we offer. We offer a complete range of sizes to give you a perfect selection to choose from to find whichever suits your needs the best.

Standard AFF Foam Fire Extinguishers

Our standard recommended selection is the CommanderEDGE range. These extinguishers offer great fire fighting capabilities and have great knockdown on flames, maximising the protection of the operator of the extinguisher. Our two different sizes both offer great packages and fire ratings respectively, but the 9L model has the best due to its larger size.

High-Performance EnviroFoam Fire Extinguisher Prices

Standard AFF Foam is not the best extinguisher for being environmentally friendly. This extinguisher uses a more environmentally safe foam. It also is a higher performance model that offers more fire rating than the standard model in the same size. All modern companies are striving to be more environmentally friendly. It is becoming evermore important to say that you are more environmentally friendly than your business rival as that is what drives sales. This simple change makes a lot of difference.

Stainless Steel AFF Foam Fire Extinguishers

Not only do these Stainless Steel fire extinguishers look fantastic, but they also have extra use. Due to the alloy used to make the Stainless Steel look containing Chromium, these extinguishers also do not rust.

Decorative AFF Foam Fire Extinguisher Prices

If the regular models aren’t your style, try these 6L models in Antique Copper and Polished Gold. These extinguishers are very sophisticated and will fit in with any opulent setting.

Available Accessories

We stock the full range of signage that perfectly pair with AFF Foam fire extinguishers. This includes the photoluminescent sign and all decorative ID signs.

Stands & Storage

We also stock a wide range of Stands and Storage solutions to help with looking after your fire extinguishers. These come in all different sizes and price ranges to help you find the best storage solution for whatever your fire safety storage needs are.

Dry Powder fire extinguisher prices

Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher Prices

by with One Comment Types of Fire Extinguisher

Dry Powder fire extinguishers are one of the most versatile fire extinguishers on the market. They can combat Class A, Class B, Class C and Electrical Fires. Dry Powder also has the ability to be stored at virtually any temperature, making it perfect for an outdoor location full year-round. Dry Powder fire extinguisher prices are varied between models and sizes.

Budget Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher Prices

These extinguishers are our lowest price point Dry Powder extinguishers that we offer in their respective sizes. These models still have ABC fire ratings and have all the features of the Dry Powder extinguisher. These models are the cheaper models to our standard range and do not have the same fire ratings.

Standard Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

These extinguishers are our standard high-quality range of Dry Powder fire extinguishers. This range is the amazing CommanderEDGE range.

Stainless Steel Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher Prices

Not only do these Stainless Steel fire extinguishers look fantastic, but they also have extra use. Due to the alloy used to make the Stainless Steel look containing Chromium, these extinguishers also do not rust.

Decorative Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher Prices

If the regular models aren’t your style, try these 6kg models in Antique Copper and Polished Gold. These extinguishers are very sophisticated and will fit in with any opulent setting.

Available Accessories

We stock the full range of signage that perfectly pair with Dry Powder fire extinguishers. This includes the photoluminescent sign and all decorative ID signs.

Stands & Storage

We also stock a wide range of Stands and Storage solutions to help with looking after your fire extinguishers. These come in all different sizes and price ranges to help you find the best storage solution for whatever your fire safety storage needs are. These can come as either simple brackets or fully lockable storage boxes.

Wet Chemical fire extinguisher prices

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher Prices

by with No Comment Types of Fire Extinguisher

Wet Chemical fire extinguishers are a perfect fire extinguisher for a kitchen scenario. The Wet Chemical fire extinguishers that we offer have an easy-to-clean design, making them perfect for a kitchen scenario as they can easily keep up with a kitchen’s hygiene standards. This extinguisher has an AF fire rating meaning it can combat cooking oil or fat fires as well as standard solid combustible material fires. Wet Chemical fire extinguishers are specifically designed for deep-fat fryers when it comes to their kitchen fire safety ability. The F fire rating directly correlates to the size of the deep fat fryer they can protect. A 75F fire extinguisher can cover a 75L deep fat fryer. However, a handheld fire extinguisher can only cover a deep fat fryer up to 0.4m2 in area. The Wet Chemical fire extinguisher prices only vary on their size.

3L Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher Prices

This extinguisher is the smaller model of the two models we offer. This extinguisher is perfect for a small to medium sized kitchen. Being designed with kitchens in mind, this extinguisher has an easy-to-clean model.

6L Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher Prices

This 6L model is the larger of the two models we offer. Due to its larger size, this extinguisher is the perfect fit for any larger kitchen.

Available Accessories

We stock the signage that perfectly pairs with the Wet Chemical fire extinguishers. The photoluminescent model for the Wet Chemical ID sign is all we offer at the moment.

Stands & Storage

We also stock a wide range of Stands and Storage solutions to help with looking after your fire extinguishers. These come in all different sizes and price ranges to help you find the best storage solution for whatever your fire safety storage needs are. These can come as either simple brackets or fully lockable storage boxes.

water fire extinguisher prices

Water Fire Extinguisher Prices

by with No Comment Types of Fire Extinguisher

Water fire extinguishers are some of the cheapest fire extinguishers we offer. They are one of the most commonly used extinguishers because of their Class A fire rating and low price point. Water fire extinguisher prices depend on what bonus features they offer compared to the others. Often a huge factor is what extinguisher meets your fire rating needs.

Budget Water Additive Fire Extinguishers

This is the lowest cost range of Water fire extinguishers that we offer at the moment. These models are the Water Additive models which have an added wetting agent. Still with great fire extinguishing capabilities and a boosted fire rating due to the added wetting agent, just at a better price.

Standard Water Fire Extinguisher Prices

These fire extinguishers are the standard top-quality CommanderEDGE range. They offer great fire extinguishing ability and come in two great sizes.

Stainless Steel Water Fire Extinguishers

Not only do these Stainless Steel fire extinguishers look fantastic, but they also have extra use. Due to the alloy used to make the Stainless Steel look containing Chromium, these extinguishers also do not rust.

Decorative Water Fire Extinguisher Prices

If the regular models aren’t your style, try these 6L models in Antique Copper and Polished Gold. These extinguishers are very sophisticated and will fit in with any opulent setting.

Available Accessories

We stock the signage that perfectly pairs with Water fire extinguishers. This includes all the decorative designs as well as the photoluminescent sign.

Stands & Storage

We also stock a wide range of Stands and Storage solutions to help with looking after your fire extinguishers. These come in all different sizes and price ranges to help you find the best storage solution for whatever your fire safety storage needs are. These can come as either simple brackets or fully lockable storage boxes.

fire extinguisher prices list

Fire Extinguisher Prices

by with One Comment Types of Fire Extinguisher

Water Fire Extinguisher Prices

Water fire extinguishers are the most accessible fire extinguisher. This is likely because of their low price point and their ability to cover the most common type of fire. Water extinguishers can combat Class A fires. Water fire extinguisher prices vary depending on the model size and their fire rating.

Water Additive Fire Extinguishers

Water Additive fire extinguishers are a step up from the standard Water fire extinguisher. This is due to their increased fire rating which comes from their added wetting agent. They still however can only tackle Class A fires.

AFF Foam Fire Extinguisher Prices

Foam fire extinguishers are a very commonly used type of fire extinguisher. This is because they are good multi-purpose fire extinguishers that can tackle Class A and Class B fires.

Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers

Dry Powder fire extinguishers are very versatile fire extinguishers that are a main staple in a lot of fire safety setups. These fire extinguishers can be used on Class A, Class B, Class C and Electrical fires making them one of the most versatile fire extinguishers on the market.

CO2 Fire Extinguisher Prices

CO2 fire extinguishers are perfect for fighting Class B and Electrical fires. Its properties allow it not to damage electrical equipment, therefore, making it a great choice for situations where electrical fires are a risk.

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers

Wet Chemical fire extinguishers are perfect for kitchens as they are able to fight Class F fires which are most commonly found in the kitchen. The Wet Chemical extinguishers have an AF fire rating making them equipped to fight Class A or F fires.

MultiCHEM Fire Extinguisher Prices

MultiCHEM fire extinguishers are great multi-class fire extinguishers. Their ABF fire rating means they are able to combat Class A, B and F fires. This makes them a step above Wet Chemical extinguishers and ordinary AFF Foam extinguishers.