There is a loud bang from an industrial park in Bergen. The Bergen fire service approaches the explosions cautiously, but has no idea what they have to do with it. Then they figure it out: Lithium batteries. After a while, the fire is extinguished and the danger averted. In the news series “110” you can see that lithium batteries are often the cause of fire calls – both for private individuals and companies. Today you can find them in almost every home. The batteries are used in modern electronics because they have a high charging capacity and high efficiency. At the same time, the fire service looks at the batteries with concern. – Where should we start, opens fire constable Kurt Rusås at the Bergen fire service. This is what it looked like when a battery caught fire at a waste facility in Bodø a couple of years ago. Several fatal fires Rusås, who is trained as an electrician and engineer, has found a niche in the fire service as an expert on lithium batteries. – Lithium batteries are another component that can start a fire in the home, and they can cause the fire to spread quickly, he explains. Lithium batteries differ from “ordinary” batteries in that they burn with high intensity and emit large amounts of gas. Experience has shown that lithium batteries catch fire more easily than other battery types. – Abroad, there have been several fatal fires involving lithium batteries in the home, says Rusås. DEMONSTRATOR: Kurt Rusås himself has taken on a kind of responsibility for lithium batteries in the Bergen fire service. Photo: Bergen fire brigade Fire in a lithium battery In general, there is little chance of a fire in a lithium battery, but the consequences are significant if it starts to burn. When a lithium battery catches fire, it is usually due to external causes, such as incorrect charging, mechanical damage or overheating. Lithium battery burns in an explosive manner. Gas forms inside the battery and is ignited. The flue gas is toxic. The biggest fire risk in lithium batteries is when the temperature rises above a limit value and starts a thermal meltdown. The fire that occurs is self-sufficient in oxygen as a result of the chemical reactions in the battery. It is very difficult to extinguish a fire once this process starts. The limit value is typically between 175 and 200 degrees. Water is an effective extinguishing agent. It cools down the battery. Water can and does bind toxins from batteries and exhaust gases. Water from extinguishing can contain toxic chemicals. Source: Sintef Found in the home You also probably have lithium batteries in the home, without you realizing it. Such batteries can be found in everything from toys, flashing shoes, headlamps, leisure and sports equipment, computers, mobile phones and power tools. He emphasizes that people should not be concerned, but use common sense when dealing with lithium batteries. – The risk depends on the size of the battery and where the batteries burn. If it starts to burn, you should: Call the fire brigade. Get the burning thing out of the house as soon as possible, if you can. But keep your distance. Avoid exposing yourself to harmful gases. Use what you have available to extinguish: Carpet, hose or foam and powder apparatus. Anything that burns must be submerged in water for a long time. Place the object in a bucket of water. LITHIUM FIRE: This is what a fire in a lithium battery can look like. Photo: If 131 such fires last year According to figures from the Directorate for Community Safety and Preparedness (DSB), the fire and rescue service’s reporting shows that batteries were the presumed cause of fires in 131 fires and fires in buildings in 2022. 44 of these fires started in batteries that were not connected. In the rest of the cases the battery was connected. DSB points out that there are probably large numbers in the dark, and that they did not start this survey until 2022. Danger of explosion And it is not just the fire that can be dangerous. When lithium batteries catch fire, they emit harmful gases. In larger battery systems, the amount of gas can pose a major risk to emergency personnel. EXPLOSION: This is what a lithium battery explosion can look like. Photo: Kurt Rusås / Bergen fire brigade – You can almost compare a battery fire with a gas leak, says Rusås. – If you collect enough of those gases in a room, it can become what we call an explosive atmosphere. And when the fire brigade enters the room to extinguish the fire, it can become extra dangerous. – We add oxygen when we get in, and that can lead to an explosion, says Rusås. In addition, the gases are dangerous for most people to inhale. Here you can watch the entire “110” episode where the fire department has to deal with several battery fires: In the middle of the night, people are woken up by what sounds like hundreds of bombs. The firemen approach carefully, because no one knows what is burning. Several fires in scooters Last winter, Bergen had four incidents of fires in electric scooter batteries that were stored in different places in the city. New photos from the “110” series show how the fire brigade approached the fires. In several of the calls, the extinguishing process was demanding, even though it was only one battery that caught fire. In several cases, entire buildings had to be evacuated. – It is frightening that they have such workshops in residential buildings. It is very dangerous smoke that moves around the houses, said deputy fire chief Morten Garfield. BATHS: Lithium batteries are often placed in such water baths to prevent them from catching fire again. Photo: Gerd Johanne Braadland / news The former fire chief in Bergen has said he is frightened and critical of battery storage. The fire brigade in Bergen has also called for national rules to ensure that broken batteries are not to be stored in residential areas. – Although there is no formalized cooperation between the large cities in the area, there is good dialogue and exchange of knowledge when it comes to such fires, says fire chief in Bergen, Janicke Larsen. In this episode, the fire service has to go out twice to different scooter warehouses to put out battery fires: In constant development In the fire service, they practice many different scenarios, but not so many battery situations. – Our job is to teach us which fire hazards are present in society at all times. We are now using all available methods to learn as much as possible about the batteries, says Rusås. Knowledge about batteries is constantly being updated, and the fire service makes use of research, professional environments, companies and schools. – When a new fire element arrives, such as larger lithium batteries, we need to prepare for such scenarios, he says. THE DAMAGE: This is what it looked like inside one of the scooter rooms after a battery fire. Photo: Bergen fire brigade It is difficult to know what causes the batteries to often catch fire. At the same time, it is also difficult to know how they burn as this depends on the situation. Here are Rusås’ tips for safe use of lithium batteries: – Be alert during charging. Charge as far away from flammable material as possible. Use approved batteries, and remember to use original chargers. Even if the charger fits, it can deliver the wrong current to the battery, which in the extreme can lead to a fire. Last but not least, the smoke detector, it is the one that saves lives.
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The fire service cannot explain these fires – news Vestland
