I am working on a project that is manufacturing lithium-metal batteries (not lithium-ion). There are multiple areas throughout the manufacturing process where there is a risk of exposed lithium metal.
With lithium being water reactive, any water based system is not an option. Are there any known alternative fire suppression systems listed and approved for use on a lithium fire? I know that per a couple of different NFPA codes that clean agent and dry-chemical systems are not recommended for use on lithium fires. From what I can find there are just manual fire extinguishers (such and ANSUL's lith-x) for use on lithium fires. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
9 Comments
Pete
8/23/2021 06:43:51 am
Not 100% sure, but I think a clean agent system (NFPA 2001) is designed specifically for reactive metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, uranium, and plutonium.
Reply
Alex
8/23/2021 07:11:05 am
Hi Anonymous,
Reply
Greg
8/23/2021 08:37:01 am
To arrive at a comprehensive solution, can you break up the problem a bit more to attack the hazard? Think of local application and also in room application. Internal fire barriers, or external barriers, and separation... Ultimately, can you suppress and control the fire, or will you need to separate using passive barriers to achieve loss control.
Reply
John Callahan
8/23/2021 08:43:57 am
See NFPA 855, Section 4.11 for acceptable fire suppression requirements.
Reply
Franck
8/23/2021 09:08:26 am
NFPA 855 is not the correct standard in your case.
Reply
Jon Sullivan
8/23/2021 01:02:15 pm
Another detailed and educational response. Thank you Franck
Reply
Franck
8/23/2021 02:38:10 pm
I had to ask myself the same questions a few years ago as we insure facilities processing zirconium and hafnium, both pyrophoric metals,
Franck
8/23/2021 02:49:03 pm
Note that 2 area of concern are:
Reply
Phil
9/12/2021 03:13:31 pm
May years ago I designed a fixed dry powder system using the Ansul system / equipment (comprising a powder storage tank, open nozzles and N2 gas cylinders used to deliver the powder). This thread got me looking into the current Ansul products and they do appear to have a powder product called LITH-X which appears to be for use on lithium fires. I'm not too sure if its suitable for use in a fixed system or just portable extinguishers but you might get some joy speaking to Ansul directly.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
ALL-ACCESSSUBSCRIBESubscribe and learn something new each day:
COMMUNITYTop September '24 Contributors
YOUR POSTPE EXAMGet 100 Days of Free Sample Questions right to you!
FILTERS
All
ARCHIVES
October 2024
PE PREP SERIES |