With the proliferation of electric vehicles and battery-powered devices of every kind, we may wonder whether our safety is becoming increasingly affected.

Indeed, the news and the various videos available on streaming platforms show us that the battery in our favourite devices is far from harmless : mobile phone batteries exploding, e-scooters suddenly catching fire while charging, electric cars, electrical appliances left plugged in… Every battery-powered device is a potential danger to ourselves, our children and our homes.

The common factor in all these batteries ? The lithium they contain.

Although protections exist to prevent them from igniting, these are not always optimal :

• Lithium cells : these are fitted with safety vents that release the flammable gases produced by a possible thermal runaway. Internal fuses also cut off the charge in the event of a sudden rise in temperature.
• The Battery Management System is an electronic board that manages the charging and discharging of the cells. It checks the operating parameters of the batteries. This board offers various functions that limit the risk of overheating.

The problem with these two types of protection is that some unscrupulous manufacturers, in order to reduce their production costs, neglect quality by producing cells or boards that lack all the necessary control safeguards in the event of battery overheating, which can, in the worst case, cause the batteries to explode or catch fire.

What should you do if a battery catches fire ?

If the fire occurs outdoors, let it burn but call the fire brigade without delay. However, it is important to know that you must avoid breathing in the fumes, which are highly toxic.

Firefighters may have to deal with 3 types of lithium battery, whose fires are more or less difficult to bring under control : lithium-ion batteries, which are fairly difficult to control, lithium-polymer batteries, which are even harder to control, and lithium iron phosphate batteries, which do not catch fire.

Lithium-ion batteries can be sprayed with large quantities of water to cool the cells and stop the melting of the metals they contain. However, re-ignition may occur several hours later. It is therefore essential to remain very vigilant.

Fires in lithium metal polymer batteries, which are very hard to extinguish, can possibly be brought under control with sand, which will cut off the oxygen supply.

So what are the preventive solutions ?

We have seen that extinguishing a battery fire remains very difficult and that it can spread extremely quickly, especially in an enclosed space such as a garage or a home. The first solution to consider is therefore prevention.

A battery fire can be prevented in several ways :

• The place where you charge your equipment must be kept clear of flammable objects or materials. It should be fitted with a smoke detector, installed as close as possible to the charging area : it will respond with a piercing audible alarm as soon as the first fumes appear.
• The fire blanket : it smothers the fire and prevents it from spreading. It also does not deteriorate when exposed to very high temperatures.
• Fire extinguishers : while conventional extinguishers are not effective against a lithium battery fire, you will need at least a Class D extinguisher for metal fires, the most effective being a lithium fire extinguisher, which contains a fluid agent that coats and cools each cell.
• Only buy equipment that has been inspected, tested and complies with European safety standards.
• Never leave a plugged-in device unattended and always follow the charging instructions recommended by the manufacturer.
• Do not use it if it has been knocked or is damaged.
• Unplug the device if you have the slightest doubt (suspicious smell, smoke…)

To sum up, if a fire breaks out, it is essential to keep calm. Unplug your equipment and call the fire brigade without delay. Avoid breathing in the fumes as far as possible, as they are highly toxic, and leave your home, closing the door behind you. If you have a lithium fire extinguisher, use it, but above all do not put yourself in danger.

There is no such thing as zero risk so always stay vigilant !