Fire risk from lithium-ion batteries: How to protect yourself!

Fire risk from lithium-ion batteries: How to protect yourself!

Mühlheim, Deutschland - The increasing risk of fire through lithium-ion batteries is concerned with more and more fire brigades. According to reports, fires are often triggered by technical defects or improper use of this battery. The incidents of the past few months in which several fires have been caused are particularly alarming. In July 2024 there was an explosion of an E-Scooter battery in Mühlheim, which resulted in several injuries and damage of 200,000 euros. An e-bike battery also led to a fire in Eschwege in March 2024. In August 2024, a defective battery triggered a basement fire in Bruchköbel, followed by a considerable fire in a fire station in Stadtallendorf in October 2024, which was caused by batteries on an emergency vehicle.

The fire brigade warns of the high energy density of the batteries, which can lead to a quick fire spread and the development of toxic substances in malfunctions. In order to minimize the risk, the experts recommend only using original chargers and batteries and not loading the batteries unattended or overnight. Mechanical damage should also be avoided. In the event of a fire, it is important to leave the building to alert the fire brigade under emergency number 112 and to warn other people. Battery should not be moved or deleted with water, as this can release dangerous gases.

guidelines for battery use and disposal

The storage of batteries should be cool, dry and far from combustible materials. Signs of defective batteries include overheating or inflation. In the event of contact with the electrolyte, the affected skin area should be rinsed thoroughly with water and a doctor should be consulted. The Wiesbaden fire brigade has recently been struggling with battery-related fires, which also threaten the disposal companies, especially in the event of improper disposal of batteries.

According to a research, the risk of inflammation of lithium-ion batteries is known, but it is often underestimated. These batteries can be found in many devices, including smartphones, tablets, e-scooters and e-bikes. Improper storage, heat or open flames can lead to fires. Symptoms of damage are bumps and sudden increase in temperature. The batteries should be replaced in the first sign of damage. The fire brigade should be notified in an emergency, especially in the case of large lithium batteries, as they can represent acute fire.

experts advise not to open or dispose of damaged batteries themselves because they contain toxic components. The disposal should take place at corresponding collection points. Suitable fire extinguishing agents must be used for fire fighting because conventional powder extinguishers are not suitable. Special measures must be taken for storage after a fire to ensure security. In order to minimize the risk of fires, it is recommended to only use original chargers and take measures immediately if there is any signs of overheating.

For more information on the inflammation of lithium-ion batteries and measures for fire fighting, readers can report the reports of Git-sicherheit.de Consult

-transmitted by West-Ost-Medien