NEW: Lithium-ion fire extinguisher

Thanks to their ability to be recharged again and again, lithium-ion batteries are in countless modern devices – smartphones, laptops, and e-bikes to name a few. But can lithium-ion batteries catch fire? With 190 people injured in fires related to these energy resources in the UK since 2020 (10 proving fatal), lithium-ion batteries are a fire risk, and classed as dangerous goods under global regulations. 

So how do you put out a lithium-ion battery fire, should one break out? Before now, the fire trade had been crying out for a complete solution. That’s why we created the LFX fire extinguisher. 

Here, we take you through our new revolutionary unit and what those responsible for fire safety in environments where lithium-ion is present need to know.

Why a lithium-ion fire extinguisher, specifically?

With London Fire Brigade describing lithium-ion fires as “the fastest growing fire risk’ in the capital, there is growing concern for lithium-ion battery fire safety in the UK. Whether in a workplace that uses rechargeable devices or a facility that stores batteries, it’s the legal duty of every responsible person(s) to provide and maintain satisfactory fire precautions for any risks. 

Understanding what type of fire extinguisher for lithium-ion batteries is required can help those responsible for fire safety in a business or premises mitigate those risks, protecting people and property while staying compliant with British standards. While water fire extinguishers can cool lithium-ion battery packs and stop the thermal runaway process, it takes high volumes of water to extinguish these fires effectively. The challenge is getting enough cooling power in a portable fire extinguisher with a limited supply. 

What makes LFX different? 

Are lithium-ion batteries safe to extinguish with a standard fire extinguisher? How much heat does a lithium-ion battery generate? And how can we prevent explosions from occurring? To design and manufacture LFX, it was vital we researched how these specific fires start, and how to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire thoroughly. 

Designed specifically for lithium-ion battery fires, our groundbreaking unit gets to work instantly, using a foaming chemical that removes a large amount of excessive heat. This foam also sticks to the surface of the batteries a lot longer than water, effectively reducing the temperature, and halting thermal runaway in its infancy. 

Put simply, LFX:

• Removes the heat, reducing temperature quickly
• Encapsulates the fuel, leaving nothing to burn
• Interrupts the chain reaction, reducing explosion potential

This innovative process creates a fire-safe scene by:

• Absorbing six to 10 times more heat than plain water
• Cooling foam for longer than it would if it was to be sprayed with a liquid
• Reducing soot buildup, increasing visibility
• Tackling surrounding fires to prevent collateral damage
• Decreasing toxicity of the remaining soot and smoke

As a result, thermal runaway can be effectively stopped, extinguishing the failed batteries, and then stopping other batteries exploding. 

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