Page | 123 specification for packaged consumer electronics devices is currently based on the plastics content of the devices and their packages rather than the presence or absence of lithium-ion cells within the packages. Based on energy release analysis and fire attack testing of batteries contained in or packed with equipment described in Chapter 6: Lithium-Ion Fire Hazard Assessment, this classification is likely appropriate for many packaged goods. However, it is likely that at some lithium-ion cell density, a commodity classification based on device plastic content will be inappropriate. Full scale fire testing should be used to identify a cell density at which a bulk packaged lithium-ion cell commodity classification should be applied to packages of consumer electronics devices that contain lithium-ion cells.
Gap 2.2: Packaging details can affect the propensity for thermal runaway propagation. A bench scale test program involving relatively small arrays ofcells could be developed to compare the effect of varying packaging approaches.
Suppressant Selection: Gap 3
The information available due to publically available testing conducted to date does not allow a comprehensive assessment of whether traditional water-based automatic sprinkler systems, water mist systems or some other water-based suppression system would be the most efficient for the protection of stored lithium ion cells or batteries. However, a number of sources including the FAA, and the US Navy recommend the use of water as a cooling and extinguishing agent. Water-based automatic sprinklers are the most widely used fire suppression equipment and have proved their efficiency and reliability over the years. Many locations are currently provided with the infrastructure necessary to facilitate suppression strategies using water based suppression systems. Therefore, based on current knowledge and infrastructure, a water-based fire suppression system is the strongest candidate for the protection of stored lithium ion cells and batteries.
Gap3.1: The sprinkler density and water flow rates required to suppress thermal runaway propagation of bulk packaged cells is unknown. Full scale fire and suppression testing will be required to address this question. Full scale tests would be required to assess the effectiveness of various suppression approaches including water sprinklers on full assembled pallets of cells.
Gap 3.2: The sprinkler density required to suppress thermal runaway propagation of large format battery packs that may pose an additional high voltage hazard is unknown. Full scale fire suppression tests would be requires to assess the effectiveness of sprinklers on large format battery packs.
Gap 3.3: The sprinkler density appropriate for suppressing fires involving packaged consumer electronics devices is currently based on the plastics content o f the devices and their packages rather than the presence or absence of lithium-ion cells within the packages. Based on energy release analysis and fire attack testing of batteries contained in or packed with equipment described in Chapter 6: Lithium-Ion Fire Hazard Assessment, this classification is likely appropriate for many packaged goods. However, it is likely that at some lithium-ion cell density, a commodity classification based on device plastic content would be inappropriate. Full scale fire suppression testing could be used to identify a cell density at which a bulk packaged lithium- ion cell commodity classification should be applied.
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