Hurricanes And Lithium Batteries  - June 24 2024

The combination of storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico and lithium-ion batteries in vehicles has proven to be a recipe for disaster, as Florida agencies report responding to numerous fires in the wake of Hurricane Helene. 

 

Article: Florida officials warn of fires after electric vehicles’ exposure to saltwater during Hurricane Helene 

 

 

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Truck Hauling Lithium Batteries Engulfed in Flames  - June 24 2024

The hazardous fire prompted both sides of the freeway to be shutdown while crews worked to contain the flames.

Article: 15 Freeway connecting California to Las Vegas reopens after fiery semi-truck accident caused days-long closure 

 

 

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Dog VS Lithium Ion Battery - Aug 7 2024

The footage, recently released by the Tulsa Fire Department, showed how the fire began after a dog bit through the housing of a portable lithium-ion battery power bank intended to charge cellphones.

Article: Video shows moment dog starts house fire after chewing on lithium-ion battery 

 

 

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South Korea Battery Plant Blows Up - June 24 2024

Officials say the fire that destroyed a large manufacturing building as well as several sheds and other buildings in Chelsea started in an area where lithium batteries were stored.

Article: Exploding batteries spark deadly S Korea factory fire 

 

 

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Manufacturing Plant Blows Up - May 18 2024

Officials say the fire that destroyed a large manufacturing building as well as several sheds and other buildings in Chelsea started in an area where lithium batteries were stored.

Article: Explosion, fire destroys large manufacturing building in Chelsea 

 

 

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NEW Lithium Fire Calms Down…After 10 Days - May 25 2024

Firefighting efforts continue to improve containment of a commercial structure fire that broke out 10 days ago at an energy storage facility in the Otay Mesa area, officials said Saturday.

Article: Energy storage fire near Otay Mesa calms down after 10 days

 

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Even Highways Can't Escape Lithium's Wrath - May 18 2024

A preliminary investigation shows the tanker truck was hauling iodine gas and lithium batteries, making the fire a “hazardous material incident,” according to Michigan State Police.

Article: Truck hauling iodine gas, lithium batteries catches fire, shuts down I-94 

 

 

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Camp Lejeune Leads Lithium Purge  - Apr 11 2024

After national security concerns spurred an American power company to disconnect Chinese-manufactured batteries from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, last year, the Department of the Navy said it has taken a "proactive approach" to procure American or allied-supplied batteries for its installations, according to a letter from the service obtained by Military.com.

Article: China-Made Batteries Eliminated from Navy, Marine Corps Infrastructure After Camp Lejeune Incident 

 

 

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Google on FIRE - Jan 23 2024

 A malfunctioning lithium-ion battery caused a fire in a building located on the Google campus in Mountain View on Monday.

Article: Lithium-ion battery causes fire on Google campus in Mountain View 

 

 

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EV's VS Winter - Jan 15 2024

Desperate Tesla owners in and around Chicago were seen trying to charge their vehicles with no luck amid frigid temperatures that have gripped the Midwest.

Article: Chicago-area Tesla charging stations lined with dead cars in freezing cold 

 

 

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LFP: The Dangerous Reality - Oct 30 2023

A lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system recently exploded in a home in central Germany, preventing police and insurance investigators from entering due to the high risk of collapse. The explosion may have been preceded by off-gassing, but it remains unclear whether an external ignition source was the cause. 

Article: Investigators still uncertain about cause of 30 kWh battery explosion in Germany​Investigators still uncertain about cause of 30 kWh battery explosion in GermanyInvestigators still uncertain about cause of 30 kWh battery explosion in Germany 

 

 

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SHELTER IN PLACE: Battery Facility in Flames - Sep 19 2023

Fire and Sheriff’s departments were dispatched, roads were closed and an evacuation order for the surrounding 1/4 mile was issued, while a shelter in place for the 1/2 mile around the site was also issued, however these were only kept in place for at most four hours.

Article:   Terra-Gen to investigate cause of Valley Center California BESS fire with ‘incident over’ 

 

 

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Make It Burn - Aug 28 2023

American Clean Power has published a guide for first responders on lithium-ion battery energy storage system emergencies, offering insights based on the 2023 NFPA 855 code revision.

Article:   “Make it burn” and other lithium-ion first responder guidance 

 

 

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Electric Car Sets Ship Ablaze - July 29 2023

The fire on the Panamanian-registered Fremantle Highway, which was carrying new cars, resulted in the death of an Indian crew member and injury of seven others who jumped overboard to escape the flames.

Article:   Fire on car carrier ablaze off Dutch coast now less intense 

 

 

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New Safety Group Created After Lithium Fire - July 28 2023

Less than 24 hours after fire erupted at the solar farm in the town of Lyme, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of a new safety group.

Article:   After Lyme solar farm fire, Gov. Hochul announces creation of new safety group 

 

 

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Electric Semi on Fire…Again! - July 23 2023

An electric semi-truck reignited at a Phoenix Nikola facility Sunday afternoon, one month after it originally caught on fire.

Article:   Electric semi-truck  reignited at Phoenix Nikola property 

 

 

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Warwick Valley in Flames - July 7 2023

Warwick Valley School District officials addressed Thursday the issue of lithium-ion batteries that burned on their campus.

Article: Warwick Valley superintendent demands changes following lithium-ion battery fire

 

 

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Ford on Fire - Apr 26 2023

A shocking video shows a row of electric F-150s bursting into flames after EV batteries overheated and caught on fire.  Those fighting the flames say they are currently unprepared to mitigate the looming crisis that could result from a growing number of EVs hitting the road in the near future. 

Article: First responders sound alarm over EV batteries after electric F-150s burst into flames

 

 

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They Won't Stop Blowing Up - Apr 11 2023

 An electric bicycle powered by a lithium ion battery is being blamed for a fatal fire on Monday in New York City that killed two children, marking the latest in a string of e-bike-related fires in the city. 

Article: NYC fire that killed 2 children caused by lithium battery, latest in string of e-bike-related fires in city

 

 

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Here Come The E-Bikes Again! - Mar 5 2023

 New York City firefighters on Sunday battled a five alarm fire that officials believe was started by the battery of an E-Bike. 

Article: New York City firefighters battle five-alarm fire started by e-bike battery

 

 

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What's With E-Bikes Exploding? - Mar 4 2023

 Over the last few years, e-bikes have killed at least 11 people and injured at least 251 in New York City alone, all from fires that sparked from malfunctioning lithium-ion battery-powered devices.  

 

Article: How e-bikes are exploding and killing people

 

 

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The Sad Truth Behind Lithium Batteries - Feb 1 2023

Smartphones, computers and electric vehicles may be emblems of the modern world, but, says Siddharth Kara, their rechargeable batteries are frequently powered by cobalt mined by workers laboring in slave-like conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Article: How 'modern-day slavery' in the Congo powers the rechargeable battery economy

 

 

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Fire Wars - The E-Bikes Strike Back - Jan 26 2023

After two fires at the same Valley home in one night, fire officials are sounding the alarm about the dangers of lithium batteries, which are common in many households. Glendale Fire Department says a family experienced the fires late Tuesday night while charging three e-bike batteries in their garage.

Article: Fire officials sound alarm on dangers of lithium batteries after overnight fires

 

 

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Lithium Battery Powered E-Bike Vs Daycare - Jan 25 2023

 Eighteen children were injured Wednesday in a fire that was sparked by a lithium-ion battery at a Queens day care, officials said. 

 

Article: 18 children injured, 1 critically, in fire sparked by lithium-ion battery at NYC day-care house

 

 

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No More! Staten Island Terminates Lithium Facility - Jan 13 2023

 After community members and local leaders voiced concerns about the location of a proposed lithium-ion battery storage facility, condemning its purported placement in close proximity to a church and six local schools, developers have announced their intention to officially withdraw project plans. 

 

Article: Plans withdrawn for community-opposed lithium-ion battery storage system on Staten Island

 

 

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Laptops Ablaze - Dec 24 2022

 A "smoking laptop" which was reported by the crew of a JetBlue flight after it had landed at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Saturday night prompted a massive evacuation of the plane, officials said. 

 

Article: Smoking laptop" forces evacuation of JetBlue flight after landing at JFK

 

 

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Another High Riser in Flames - Nov 7 2022

 The New York City authorities have determined that a lithium battery in an unspecified micromobility device triggered a recent high-rise fire that injured dozens in Manhattan.  

 

Article: Lithium battery triggers New York high-rise fire

 

 

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Lithium Ion Lawn Mower Disaster - Oct 20 2022

 If you’re following social media, you likely know that on the opening day of Equip Expo 2022 (formerly GIE), a prototype DeWalt battery powered mower ignited and caught fire. 

 

Article: DeWalt Prototype Lawn Mower Ignites

 

 

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Tesla is on Fire...Literally! - Sep 20 2022

A Tesla Megapack has caught on fire at a giant battery project operated by PG&E in Monterey County in California.

 

Article: Tesla Megapack caught on fire at giant battery project

 

 

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Tesla Terror...Again! - Jul 20 2022

A Florida jury has awarded the families of two teens killed in a fiery Tesla crash $10.5 million. The lawsuit claimed that the teens survived the car crash but were killed when the Tesla’s batteries caught on fire. The father of one teen also claimed Elon Musk’s company removed a speed limiter from the car without his permission.

 

Article: Florida Jury Awards $10.5M in Case of Teens Killed in Horrific Tesla Fireball

 

 

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The Lithium War Next Door - May 23 2022

A lithium mining startup promised to make a rural pocket of North Carolina a clean-energy boomtown. But perceived slights and concerns over water have turned neighbors against the project.

 

Article: The Lithium War Next Door

 

 

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The E-Bikes Are Back: Another Shop Up In Flames - Apr 21 2022

According to Andante owner, Mauricio Orozco, the shop had received an e-bike requiring its faulty battery to be checked and reinstalled. After the battery was sent to a repair specialist in Nevada and returned, it was left overnight to recharge. 

While charging, the battery pack caught fire, ruining Andante’s premises and a range of bikes, wheels and components inside the shop.

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Article: E-bike battery fire destroys bicycle shop

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Chaos in Chandler: HAZMAT Situation at AZ Lithium Battery Facility - Apr 21 2022

Chandler Fire Department has been investigating a hazardous situation at a lithium battery storage facility near 54th Street and Pecos Road since Monday, officially calling for evacuations Thursday evening.

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Article: HAZMAT situation at Chandler battery storage facility

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Fired Up: Scrap Yard in Flames - Apr 11 2022

Over the weekend, a fire at a scrap metal facility took first responders more than a day to fully extinguish. The smoke could be seen rising from the flames for miles.

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Article: Lithium battery explosion sparked shred yard fire

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Lithium Battery Fire On Ship Sends Crew Packing - Feb 20 2022

The large number of electric vehicles on board a ship that is drifting ablaze in the Atlantic Ocean is complicating efforts to extinguish the fire, the Dutch experts contracted to salvage the vessel said Sunday.

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Article: Burning Electric-Vehicle Batteries Complicate Efforts to Fight Fire on Drifting Ship in Atlantic Ocean

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Lithium Prices On The Rise - Feb 17 2022

As the price of lithium has skyrocketed over 400% in the past year, the demand for lithium-ion batteries appears more intense than ever. Lithium has earned the ‘white petroleum’ label due to its dramatic need for supplies from the rise of battery giga-factories, electric vehicles, powerwalls and energy storage businesses.

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Article: Rising Lithium Prices Could Derail The EV Boom

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Smoked! California Battery Storage System Overheats Again - Feb 15 2022

Vistra Corp. was once again forced to shut down part of California’s biggest battery storage system after some components malfunctioned.  

The company took offline its 100-megawatt Moss Landing battery facility after a safety system activated late on Sunday, according to a statement. It’s the second incident at the plant in less than six months. 

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Article: California’s Largest Battery Storage Shut Down by Smoke, Again

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NYC in Flames: Another Lithium Battery Explosion - Jan 8 2022

A massive fire that tore through a six-story Bronx building early Saturday, seriously injuring a firefighter, was sparked by a charging e-bike battery in a ground-floor restaurant, FDNY officials said.

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Article: Lithium-ion Battery Sparks 4-Alarm NYC Fire

Video: NYC Lithium Battery Fire

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FDNY Squares Off Against Lithium Fire - Dec 17 2021

The man killed in a raging East Village fire was charging nine e-bike batteries inside his apartment when the flames erupted, with the explosive force of the blaze blowing out the windows and a wall inside the fourth-floor residence, FDNY officials said Friday.

 

Article: East Village Fire

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An in Depth Analysis on Lithium Battery Aviation Explosions - Sept 23 2021

As of September 23, 2021, there have been at least 340 aviation related incidents involving Lithium batteries carried as cargo or baggage recorded since January 23, 2006.

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Article: Timeline of Aviation Lithium Battery Explosions

 

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Tesla Terror: Lithium Battery ‘Bombs’ Exploding in Toxic Fireballs - Sept 17 2021

Giant batteries are said to be the Planet’s saviour, but be sure you’re well clear when they explode into toxic fireballs that firefighters can’t extinguish. 

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Article: Tesla Terror Report

 

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Moss Landing, CA, World’s Largest Lithium Battery Shutdown - Sep 16, 2021 

Detection of thermal runaway in single Lithium battery cell resulted in shutdown of 300MW facility.  Fire District Chief stated: “When you’re talking about a fire at the largest battery storage facility in the world, you can’t help but think this could be the big one.” Firefighters remained on standby for six days. 

 

Article: World’s Largest Battery Facility Shutdown with no Timetable on Return  

Australia Tesla Megapack 450 MW Energy Storage Facility Fire – Sep 8, 2021 

One of the newest and largest Battery Energy Storage Systems ignited just three days after being commissioned. “It took 150 firefighters and 30 trucks four days to extinguish this fire.” 

 

Article: Fire at 450MWh Tesla Battery Site in Australia Raises Lithium Concern  

Article:  Tesla Megapack Batter Burned for Days in Grid Storage Fire  

 Get Ready For Lithium Ion Battery Fires - Sept 1 2021

When lithium batteries began to explode in a burning warehouse in Morris, Illinois, on June 29, it caught firefighters by surprise. The massive fire prompted city officials to order evacuating nearly 4,000 residents living nearby, a church, and small businesses.

 

Article: Lithium Battery Fires Ablaze

Video: Morris Industrial Fire

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Why Do Lithium Batteries Burn? - July 19 2021

In April 2021, three pallets of lithium-ion powered mobile phones caught fire at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Responders spent 40 minutes extinguishing the fire.

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Article: What Makes Lithium Batteries a Fire Hazard?

Video: Hong KongAircraft Lithium Fire

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Lithium Battery Facilities Set to Explode Soon - July 11 2021 

UK’s giant battery ‘farms’ spark fears of explosions that can reach temperatures of 660C – even worse than the Beirut port blast – with one expert calling them "potential bombs"

 

Article: UK Battery Facilities on Brink of Explosion

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Lithium Fires Continue: Another Building Engulfed - Jun 29 2021

Tons of lithium-ion batteries exploded at a commercial building, prompting evacuations. Check out the video below to learn more details.

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Video: 'Tons' of lithium batteries sparks fire at Morris commercial building, prompts evacuations

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NTSB - Lithium Fire Risks for Vehicles - Jan 13, 2021 

NTSB warning to first responders regarding the high dangers associated with fighting a lithium-ion vehicle fire with examples of electric vehicles whose fires were extinguished, only to reignite hours later. 

 

Video: Li-Ion Battery Fires in Electric Vehicles - Safety Risks to Emergency Responders 

International Air Transport Association Lithium Regulations – Dec 12, 2020 

An updated regulation on what is required to transport lithium batteries on passenger or cargo aircraft.  More than 25 pages of descriptions, procedures, and flow charts. 

 

IATA 2020 Regulation: Transport of Lithium Metal and Li-Ion Batteries   

FAA - Lithium Batteries: What’s the Risk? – Sep 24, 2020 

This video was created for passengers, air carrier employees, gate agents, shippers, and consumers to reduce the risk of fire on an aircraft. 

 

Video: FAA - Lithium Dangers on Aircraft for Passengers, Crew, and Cargo 

Sprinklered Test of a 125 kWh Energy Storage System - Oct 23 2020

The following test was a large-scale evaluation of the performance of ceiling-level sprinkler protection at mitigating the fire hazard posed by an ESS comprised of lithium nickel oxide/lithium manganese oxide batteries (LNO/LMO).

 

Video: Energy storage system test

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APS Lithium Battery Explosion Cause Report – July 8, 2020  

70 page independent safety audit report with detailed analysis.  Fire started from single cell of more than 100,000 that failed and started thermal runaway, fire and explosion.  Entire lithium battery energy storage system (BESS) is a total loss.  Two firefighters permanently disabled unable to resume careers. 

 

Video:  Report Reveals What Caused APS Lithium Explosion  

Report:  McMicken APS Lithium Battery Explosion Findings 

China Controls the Lithium Battery Supply Chain – Apr 6, 2020 

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the source of over two-thirds of global cobalt production, but China has over 80 percent control of the cobalt refining industry and 85 percent of the lithium battery supply chain. 

 

Video: China’s stranglehold on electric car battery supply chain 

Lithium Storage/Use Requirements for Optimum Life – Feb 26, 2020 

Lithium batteries are very sensitive to temperature, charge and discharge rates, and the state of charge.  This article is about the systems necessary to ensure Lithium batteries operate at peak performance and to reduce the risk of fire and explosion to a minimum.  None of these considerations are relevant to SIRIUS modules. 

 

Article:  U.S. Chemicals - Li-Ion Storage Requirements 

Lithium Battery Materials Mined by Children in Conflict Zones -Feb 22, 2020 

Many elements in Lithium batteries are mined in dangerous regions of the world often in abusive child labor camps with armed militia. 

 

Video: Lost Children – The Deadly Cost of Working in Africa’s Cobalt Mines 

Lithium Iron Phosphate Fire Test – Sep 13, 2019 

An independent test by a highly regarding fire research organization.  Analysis – LiFePo batteries are safer than Lithium-ion batteries but once ignited are very dangerous fires that burn very hot and for extended periods of time. 

 

Video: Fire Burn Test of Lithium Iron Phosphate Energy Storage System   

Arizona Public Service (APS) Lithium Battery Explosion – Aug 9, 2019 

2MW Lithium energy storage system catches fire and explodes.  Sends 8 firefighters to hospital with critical injuries: skull fractures, broken limbs, and 3rd degree burns. 

 

Video:  Body Cam Footage of First Responders Post Explosion 

 

What Happened? AZ Lithium Ion Fire Recap - Apr 19 2019

On April 19, 2019, one male career Fire Captain, one male career Fire Engineer, and two male career Firefighters received serious injuries as a result of cascading thermal runaway within a 2.16 MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system (ESS) that led to a deflagration event.

 

Video: Fire Service Considerations Investigations of AZ Li-ion ESS Incident

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Lithium Batteries in the Military – Storage/Charging Considerations - Sep 19, 2018 

Despite wide usage, not everyone is aware of the hazards of lithium batteries and how to store them safely. A lithium battery explosion and fire at one base destroyed $70,000 worth of critical battery inventory. To make matters worse, the incident happened in a personnel-occupied building. 

In-flight Passenger Compartment Lithium Fire – Feb 1, 2018 

Lithium batteries remain unsafe and threat to general and military aviation.  Dr. Natash Balsara UC Berkley, “Its completely unpredictable.  There’s no way to look at a battery and say this is the one that’s going to be trouble.” 

 

Video: Battery Fire on Plane Points to Danger in the Sky 

Dangerous Risk – Lithium Batteries and Cargo Aircraft – Dec 8, 2014 

FAA test video shows a cargo container packed with 5,000 Lithium-ion batteries and a cartridge heater catch fire and thunderously explode. 

 

Video: Lithium Batteries Threaten Cargo Planes 

Lithium Fire Dangers in Warehouse Storage – May 9, 2013 

An independent analysis by FM Global a world-wide loss prevention insurance company that provides risk mitigation and business resilience consulting.  FM Global has written many international reports on the dangers of Lithium-anything.   

 

Global Reports:  FM Global Lithium Research Reports 

Video:   Fire Hazard of Lithium-ion Batteries in Warehouse Storage