Page | 011 As mentioned earlier, Tadiran Batteries recommends Lith‐X as the only effective means of extinguishing a fire involving a few lithium batteries. They specifically contra‐indicate the user of water, sand, CO2, Halon, and dry powder or soda ash extinguishers when the cells are directly involved in the fire. However, if the fire is in an area near the cells, and the cells are not actively on fire, the fire should be fought based on fueling material. Copious amounts of cold water, if not otherwise contra‐indicated, would be effective in keeping the cells cool while extinguishing the nearby fire. CO2 would also have a similar cooling effect.
Categorize the fire according to the amount of lithium metal involved:
Small – e.g., a tag with less than 1g of lithium in its battery
Medium – e.g., a CPIES (Current and Pressure recording Inverted Echo
Sounder) with 240 grams total lithium in its battery pack
Large – e.g., a container with enough batteries for 12 CPIES mooring
turnarounds (3kg of lithium metal)
The choice of initial extinguishing agent will be based on the following factors:
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Battery Manufacturer’s recommendations
Amount of lithium metal
Stage of fire
Other types of fuel involved (multi‐class fire)
If the amount of lithium metal is relatively small, and the fire has advanced to a multi‐class fire (it has spread to other types of fuel), it is likely that the small amount of lithium will have already been consumed by the fire, thereby reducing the risk of a lithium‐water reaction. Obviously, this evaluation will have to be made in real‐time based on the factors listed above. Even if the lithium were not totally consumed, if other types of fuel are significant contributors to the fire, Lith‐X might not be an effective extinguishing agent. In this case, depending on the size of the fire, dry chemical or water would be the next best choices of extinguishing agent. If the fire is still relatively small, dry chemical is the best choice to be sure to avoid a lithium‐water reaction. However, if the fire is larger, water may be the safer choice because it can be applied from a longer distance. If water is the choice, keep in mind the very real possibility that the lithium may NOT have been consumed, in which case it might be molten. Molten lithium is very fluid, easily spread, and highly reactive, which makes it extremely hazardous.
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