Safe storage of lithium batteries (IGO)

Purpose

IGO's green services are switching to garden machinery using batteries instead of fossil fuels. Specifically, it is about lithium batteries, which are subject to special standards.

Li-Ion batteries can in fact cause fire when batteries are thermally runaway (Thermal Runaway). This is caused by e.g. internal short circuits and is considered a special hazard with a high fire risk due to the large amount of energy stored in the cells.

Problem-solution

The main risks of lithium batteries are overpressure, explosion, fire and, in case of explosion, the creation of the toxic gas hydrogen fluoride. Because a li-ion battery creates a ‘metal fire’, the fire cannot be extinguished by traditional means.

CGK provided IGO with a fire safety cabinet/fireproof charging cabinet for 16 lithium batteries with very high security. In doing so, our aim was to eliminate any risk from the source:

• Any explosion is contained by a pressure relief hatch in the roof of the cabinet. The hatch contains a filter mat that stops the whirling lithium particles. There is also a drain on the hatch to dissipate the highly toxic hydrogen fluoride gas.
• The charging cabinet includes a smoke detector and temperature sensor, triggering a visual and audible alarm in the event of a fire. Optionally, the fire alarm centre can also be notified automatically. In addition, it is possible for those responsible at the company to receive an alarm text message and/or e-mail.
• The secure charging cabinet also contains a lithium extinguisher. In case of fire, the device disperses an extinguishing powder inside the cabinet. As the shelves in the cabinet consist of grates, the powder certainly reaches every battery.
• Charging batteries can get very hot. A fan ensures constant cooling of the charging cabinet.
• In case of fire, the cabinet doors close automatically to stop the splashing lithium particles.
• The fire-resistant cargo cabinet fully complies with the EN 14770 - 1 standard.