Off-topic?

[Yankee Chronicler]

On-topic?

I dunno --

Fire station with no fire alarms burns to the ground.

 

[steveray]

More…on the nose…

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

The more I read about lithium ion battery fires, the more I think anything more than a cell phone or tablet should only be charged in a concrete block isolation chamber.

 

[Yikes]

The more I read about lithium ion battery fires, the more I think anything more than a cell phone or tablet should only be charged in a concrete block isolation chamber.

This reminds me of the controversy over ebike batteries. Lithium Ion batteries that catch fire can have a self-sustaining reaction, which some describe as similar to thermite. You don't extinguish the fire, you only contain it until it burns itself out.

1. I hear that NYC is proposing a ban on all ebike batteries inside multifamily buildings.
2. Cheap lithium ion batteries are giving the whole industry a bad name. Most of the fires that were started by LI batteries have been on batteries or equipment that is not UL certified.
3. The ebike industry is responding by listing whether batteries are UL 2271 certified, and whether ebike electrical systems as a whole are UL 2849 certified.
4. Manufacturers have also started designing special battery bags and cases to help contain fires.
5. The #1 recommendation is to never overcharge your batteries. Most chargers are supposed to have "smart" shutoff, but these have occasionally failed. An old-fashioned shutoff timer is a good backup.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Coincidentally, our Deputy Fire Marshal was in the office today and he started talking with one of the other ABOs about Li-Ion battery fires. He mentioned specifically that there have been a LOT of e-bike battery fires. He also cautioned never to leave an Apple iPhone charging overnight.

 

[Joe.B]

Interesting, this popped into my mind, in this press release (which must be accurate) they say "A neighboring business owner reported to fire personnel that he had entered the business where the fire was and had extinguished a Lithium Ion battery that was burning."

There's a video with the press release, but it's a file, not a link so I can't upload it... sorry...

 

[Joe.B]

This reminds me of the controversy over ebike batteries. Lithium Ion batteries that catch fire can have a self-sustaining reaction, which some describe as similar to thermite. You don't extinguish the fire, you only contain it until it burns itself out.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

What about a lap top battery? Most people never unplug them at their workstation if they don't need to carry it anywhere.

 

[Sifu]

What about a lap top battery? Most people never unplug them at their workstation if they don't need to carry it anywhere.

Had the same thought. Mine gets turned off when I fly...that's about it. My wife works for an airline, they carry bags to throw the laptops and phones in when they start to smoke (she has done it).