Fire extinguishers for lithium-ion batteries and lithium batteries

Acute firefighting of lithium batteries of various designs poses a major challenge. High temperatures, long-lasting and frequently re-emerging sources of fire and the frequent connection with electrical systems make normal fire extinguishers seem less suitable in the event of a battery fire. Accordingly, with the increasing spread of lithium batteries in the various sectors, special fire extinguishers have been developed for fighting fires involving lithium-ion batteries, which can be used for firefighting. In addition to firefighting, prevention should also be taken into account when using and storing lithium-ion batteries in order to prevent a dangerous situation from arising in the first place by storing the batteries directly in suitable battery boxes or fireproof bags for e-bike batteries or by using battery safety cabinets with appropriate fire resistance, especially in the professional sector.

• Fire extinguishers for lithium-ion batteries
  • Fighting battery fires with suitable fire extinguishers
  • Always seek help from the fire department
• Overview of fire extinguishers for batteries
• Fire extinguishers for lithium-ion batteries with extinguishing agent Lithium-X
  • Aqueous dipersion with silicon crystals
  • Thermal radiation is immediately reduced by the lithium fire extinguishers
• Gel fire extinguishers for lithium batteries with Water-Glue as extinguishing agent
  • Cooling effect due to high heat capacity of the extinguishing gel
  • Ideal for small and medium-sized batteries
  • Supplement to extinguishing blankets / fire blankets for electric cars
• Fire extinguisher for lithium batteries with Pyrobubbles as extinguishing agent
• Fire extinguisher for e-bike batteries and other battery fires
  • Fire extinguishers for e-bikes and e-bike batteries
  • Fire extinguisher - not a sensible measure for electric cars
  • Fire extinguishers for PV storage / battery storage of photovoltaic systems
    • Which fire extinguisher is suitable for PV storage systems and battery storage systems?
• Fire extinguishers for battery fires in general
• Bavaria fire extinguishers for lithium batteries and lithium-ion batteries
  • Inexpensive gel-based fire extinguishers for lithium-ion batteries from Bavaria
  • Particularly powerful silicon-based lithium-ion fire extinguishers from Bavaria
• Gloria fire extinguishers for lithium-ion batteries and lithium batteries
  • Environmentally friendly extinguishing agent additive GLORIA IMPREX C
  • Water extinguisher from Gloria can be used in many ways

Fire extinguisher for lithium-ion batteries

Depending on the size of the battery edge, various studies assume that special extinguishing agents should be used to fight fires involving lithium batteries. Traditional fire extinguishers with CO₂, powder or foam only have a limited effect for this type of application. Accordingly, the products for extinguishing lithium-ion batteries are usually filled with other extinguishing agents or extinguishing granulates such as pyrobubbles are used to perfectly meet the requirements of a battery fire.

Fighting battery fires with suitable fire extinguishers

If a lithium-ion rechargeable battery or a lithium battery catches fire, a fire extinguisher is often the first means of fighting the fire. Suitable fire extinguishers can be used to cool down batteries that have become very hot and are on fire. In models with lithium-X as the extinguishing agent, the silicon platelets also create a robust barrier between the battery and the environment, minimizing damage.

Always call in help from the fire department

It should always be noted that even in the case of supposedly minor battery fires, e.g. from an e-bike battery, professional assistance from the fire department should be called in. Until the fire department arrives, battery fire extinguishers offer an important opportunity to contain the fire or minimize the damage that occurs, but are generally only an initial measure for problematic fires. In the case of larger battery fires, e.g. in electric cars, fire blankets / fire blankets for electric cars are an additional option for taking initial countermeasures. However, professional help, i.e. from the fire department, cannot be avoided with the fire extinguishers for Li-ion batteries presented here.

Overview of fire extinguishers for rechargeable batteries

The following table provides an overview of the different fire extinguisher series for Li-ion batteries with the most important features, the extinguishing agents used and the available sizes.

Fire extinguisher for lithium-ion batteries with lithium-X extinguishing agent

The extinguishing agent Lithium-X can be used for A-fires and D-fires and in particular for fires involving lithium-ion batteries and LiPo batteries. Other metal fires are also effectively cooled by the lithium-ion fire extinguishers, so that an uncontrolled spread of the battery fire can be prevented.

Aqueous dispersion with silicon crystals

The silicon extinguishing agent is an aqueous dispersion in which natural silicon crystals are suspended in an aqueous solution. The water evaporates when sprayed onto burning metal or lithium batteries that have caught fire or are thermally active. The microscopically small silicon platelets swell and fuse together to form an impermeable barrier layer.

Thermal radiation is immediately reduced by the lithium fire extinguishers

The fire or the battery fire can be isolated and the thermal radiation above the barrier layer is immediately reduced to below 100°C, which is a great advantage, especially in the case of battery fires, in order to prevent or at least slow down the spread to other battery cells (thermal runway). A lithium fire extinguisher is able to apply the extinguishing agent to the burning material in a fine film, which immediately melts into a hard, mineral barrier layer

Gel fire extinguishers for lithium batteries with Water-Glue as extinguishing agent

Unlike the lithium fire extinguishers, the gel fire ex tinguishers for battery fires work with a gel-like extinguishing agent, which can be used against class A fires and burning lithium-ion batteries / LiPo batteries.

Cooling effect due to high heat capacity of the extinguishing gel

In addition to the direct cooling effect of the gel, the high heat capacity ensures that heat is extracted from the burning battery in the absence of oxygen. This cooling of the entire system prevents a rapid spread and at the same time reduces the risk of a thermal runway - i.e. an uncontrolled continuation of the battery fire across a large number of cells.

Ideal for small and medium-sized batteries

The layers of extinguishing agent applied by gel fire extinguishers can also protect the affected lithium-ion batteries from heat radiation or ignition. Gel fire extinguishers with Water-Glue as the extinguishing agent are primarily used for smaller, less powerful batteries, e.g. for extinguishing e-bike batteries, LiPo batteries from model making, etc. Many e-bike owners therefore often keep a battery fire extinguisher near the Li-ion battery for safety reasons, unless it is stored in a suitable battery box for e-bike batteries or a special bag for e-bike batteries.

Supplement to fire blankets / fire blankets for electric cars

Really powerful batteries, such as those found in electric cars, cannot be extinguished with battery fire extinguishers; fire blankets / fire blankets for electric cars, for example, are much better suited for this purpose. Nevertheless, the combined use of battery fire extinguisher and fire blanket also makes sense - the lithium fire extinguisher can be used to take initial measures before the fire blanket is used, under which the fire in the electric car or battery is then smothered.

Fire extinguishers for lithium batteries with pyrobubbles as extinguishing agent

In addition to the fire extinguishers mentioned above, there are also models that use pyrobubbles as an extinguishing agent. The extinguishing granulate developed by Genius is often used when transporting lithium-ion batteries or when lithium-ion batteries are to be stored, for example as granulate in the battery transport containers, so that the batteries are protected during transport and, in the event of a battery fire, an extinguishing effect is achieved directly by the surrounding Genius Pyrobubbles. Fire extinguishers are also available for this extinguishing granulate, which are used directly on burning lithium-ion batteries and thus offer maximum safety when handling both intact and defective lithium batteries.

Fire extinguishers for e-bike batteries and other battery fires

Extinguishing a battery fire is always a difficult and sometimes dangerous task and should only ever be carried out with professional assistance. However, there are also a number of initial measures that can be taken in the event of a battery fire, for example to minimize the damage. It is often advisable to have a suitable fire extinguisher for battery fires to hand in order to be able to use the time until professional help (usually the fire department) arrives. Depending on the area of application, there are different fire extinguishers that are potentially suitable for initial measures.

• Fire extinguishers for e-bikes or e-bike batteries
• Fire extinguishers - not a sensible measure for electric cars
• Fire extinguishers for PV storage / battery storage of photovoltaic systems

Fire extinguishers for e-bikes and e-bike batteries

Some of the newer e-bike batteries in particular already have very high capacities, which means that a bike battery that catches fire can quickly become a hazard. It is difficult for a layperson to extinguish a burning e-bike battery and you should definitely call the fire department, who can put out the fire. At the same time, with a suitable fire extinguisher as a supplement to the correct storage of e-bike batteries, taking into account the appropriate fire protection measures, you can create the conditions for minimizing the damage even in the event of a fire.

Bavaria Lithium-X fire extinguisher for bicycle batteries

Suitable fire extinguishers for e-bike batteries should always be powerful and correctly dimensioned, so that for initial measures, for example, models from Bavaria's Lithium range can be selected, ideally even a battery fire extinguisher with a capacity of 6 or 9 liters. If problems then occur with the e-bike battery, the fire extinguisher can be used without much prior knowledge to at least initiate initial cooling. Preventive measures are better and more effective than fire extinguishers for e-bike batteries, for example by storing the e-bike battery directly in a suitable, fireproof battery bag or a battery storage box for e-bike batteries filled with pyrobubbles (such as the Zarges K470 battery safe).

Fire extinguishers - not a sensible measure for electric cars

The batteries in electric cars are much more powerful than the batteries in e-bikes. While you often find small car fire extinguishers in normal cars that can put out a small battery or electrical fire, for example, you need completely different extinguishing agents to fight a burning electric car. Here too, professional helpers, i.e. the fire department, are usually indispensable. The same applies here: Always call the fire department first if the Li-ion battery of an electric car catches fire.

Does a fire extinguisher help with an electric car fire? A clear NO!

Contrary to some of the information circulating, in our opinion battery fire extinguishers are not suitable for fighting fires in electric cars. The extinguishing agent contained in the fire extinguishers has no effect due to the small volume. In addition, the battery in the electric car cannot be reached from outside. People also put themselves in great danger due to the heat and smoke development and the risk of a possible deflagration. If an electric car catches fire, measures such as fire blankets etc. should be used or - often the best choice for private individuals - professional help should be requested and the fire department should be left to fight the fire, as they usually have the appropriate equipment and are trained accordingly.

Fire extinguishers for PV storage systems / battery storage systems from photovoltaic systems

Battery storage systems from PV systems are among the most powerful lithium-ion batteries in the household, so it is essential to call the fire department in the event of problems or a fire in a PV storage system / battery storage system. Accordingly, fire extinguishers for PV storage systems are not really suitable for extinguishing a burning battery storage system. In addition, the storage units are often located in closed rooms, which means that the gases produced by the fire can be life-threatening in the short term. Even if the battery storage system of the PV system is not located in a closed room, the standard battery fire extinguishers are only of very limited help here, because with their comparatively low capacity, the fires that occur in the storage systems can only be contained for a short time, if at all. Extinguishing blankets / fire blankets for lithium-ion batteries, e.g. the Bridgehill Lithium Fire Blanket, for example, is more suitable for this application for free-standing PV storage systems that are standing on the ground and if the user is wearing suitable protective clothing. However, we also advise against use by private individuals here; the fire department can extinguish PV storage systems and battery storage systems using breathing protection and suitable extinguishing agents. A comparatively simple fire extinguisher, on the other hand, is unsuitable.

Which fire extinguisher is suitable for PV storage systems and battery storage systems?

It is generally not possible to extinguish powerful PV storage systems or battery storage systems with simple battery fire extinguishers, so the question of a suitable fire extinguisher for PV storage systems / battery storage systems cannot be answered in general terms. In particular, the smaller fire extinguishers with a capacity of 3, 6 or 9 liters are intended more for small battery fires (e.g. from a smartphone or cordless screwdriver); if a battery storage system of a photovoltaic system catches fire, these small fire extinguishers will not be able to do anything. At the same time, the large 50-liter models are primarily intended for professional users, so private individuals should always call the fire department in the event of a PV storage system fire. As explained in detail in the previous section, attempts to extinguish a fire with a small battery fire extinguisher pose more risks than benefits.

Fire extinguishers for battery fires in general

The models presented here are not only suitable for rechargeable batteries or lithium-ion batteries in particular, but can also be used for battery fires in general, as the general extinguishing effect also applies to normal batteries. Similar to the extinguishing effect for rechargeable batteries, the same applies to batteries, in that fire extinguishers are generally not suitable for extinguishing fires completely, but can only ever be used as an initial measure until professional help is on site.

Bavaria fire extinguishers for lithium batteries and lithium-ion batteries

The manufacturer Bavaria is one of the leading suppliers of fire extinguishers in Germany and accordingly offers a range of special models for battery fires. Depending on individual requirements and intended use, Bavaria's range includes lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers with the gel or lithium-X extinguishing agents described above. The different models are also generally available in different sizes / extinguishing agent contents, so that you can easily find the right products for your own needs.

Inexpensive gel fire extinguishers for Li-ion batteries from Bavaria on a gel basis

The models with water-glue as the extinguishing agent, i.e. the so-called gel fire extinguishers, are particularly attractively priced. For less than €100, the Bavaria Water Glue 6 battery fire extinguisher is a reliable and powerful way to extinguish small battery fires. With a spraying time of 26 seconds and a spraying range of 6 m, this entry-level model already offers many options for creating safety when dealing with lithium-ion batteries. The Maximus fire extinguisher for L-ion batteries from Bavaria is the top-of-the-range gel model. With a high-pressure hose and 50 liters of extinguishing agent, even larger battery fires are no problem.

Particularly powerful silicon-based lithium-ion fire extinguishers from Bavaria

The fire extinguishers in Bavaria's Lithium-X series, specially developed for lithium batteries, are the ideal solution for flexibly deployable and powerful fire extinguishers for fighting fires involving lithium-ion and LiPo batteries. In addition to use against burning lithium batteries, the Bavaria Lithium-X fire extinguishers can also be used against metal fires and class A and D fires. The smallest lithium fire extinguisher, Bavaria Lithium X3, impresses with its compact dimensions and an extinguishing agent capacity of 3 liters, which is sufficient for approx. 90 seconds of spraying time. With a spraying time of 270 seconds and a capacity of 9 liters, the Bavaria Lithium X9 fire ex tinguisher is the largest portable model. 50 liters of extinguishing agent and practically mounted on a handcart, the BAVARIA Lithium X50 Maximus fire ex tinguisher is the top model in this series, which can be used for 9 full minutes (540 seconds!) to extinguish battery fires.

Gloria fire extinguishers for lithium-ion batteries and lithium batteries

With the WKL PRO series, the manufacturer Gloria - one of the leading manufacturers in the field of firefighting and fire extinguishers in Germany - has launched specially developed products on the market that are suitable for fighting battery fires.

Gloria WKL Pro fire extinguishers ideal for businesses and private individuals

Gloria rechargeable fire extinguishers are available with capacities of 6 or 9 liters and are therefore perfectly suited to the needs of private and commercial users. The water fire extinguishers are used, for example, to extinguish e-bike batteries, burning tool batteries or for smaller batteries from notebooks, smartphones, etc. The use of Gloria battery fire extinguishers can also be a first measure for more powerful batteries (such as e-cars or PV storage systems) to bridge the time until the fire department arrives. In addition to extinguishing all types of battery fires, Gloria WKL PRO fire extinguishers can also be used in other areas, e.g. for extinguishing electrical systems up to 1000 volts. Here, a distance of at least one meter must be maintained when fighting fires, and DIN VDE 0132 must be observed for higher voltages. And when extinguishing PV storage systems, the resulting fumes pose a danger to life - especially if the battery storage systems are located in closed rooms. For this reason, private individuals should not use a fire extinguisher to extinguish PV storage systems or battery storage systems, but leave this to the professionals.

Environmentally friendly extinguishing agent additive GLORIA IMPREX C

No extinguishing substances were deliberately added to the extinguishing water. Apart from the fluorine-free GLORIA IMPREX C additive, there are no other additives. The extinguishing agent is therefore free of environmentally harmful PFOS or PFOA and does not cause any damage even when used outdoors - e.g. when extinguishing e-bike batteries.

Water extinguishers from Gloria can be used in a variety of ways

In addition to lithium-ion batteries, Gloria water ex tinguishers are also suitable for the most common fires in the domestic environment thanks to their fire class A rating. The rechargeable fire extinguisher from Gloria is also highly recommended in the commercial sector, for example in storage areas of computer/electrical stores, tool departments in trading companies or in file storage/archives/paper and packaging warehouses.