I would agree with Bruce's assessment, NFPA 484 applies to combustible metals. Among these metals are some scary things like lithium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. This standard does not address lithium used in energy storage cells (aka batteries) or the storage of them.
Please allow me to chime in with a peeve that I've developed that stems from this topic (speaking in general, not specific to this forum). I would caution anyone in the discussion to be aware of the difference between lithium-ion batteries and lithium batteries. These are in fact quite different animals and I've often seen discussion over the issue of 'lithium batteries' when in fact the topic is actually lithium-ion. Here's a quick comparison: Lithium-ion battery: rechargeable, uses salts of lithium (not lithium in its elemental state), very common as consumer battery (cell phones, laptops, tablets, portable power tools, the list goes on....) Lithium battery: lithium is present in its elemental metal state, not rechargeable, less common as consumer battery (typically a replacement for conventional alkaline batteries - your C, D, AAA, AA cells but with more kick) The jury is still out on how to deal with these challenging products, both of which are rapidly becoming ubiquitous in our modern world. I'm no chemist but from what I've gleaned in reading is that the biggest issue with the lithium-ion battery fire is not the presence of lithium but the tremendous energy storage that these cells are capable of. Thermal runaway can occur when stored in tight proximity in packaging, be it in a warehouse or when being transported. For fire with lithium-ion batteries the consensus is cooling, i.e. water - and lots of it. What this translates to in density I have no idea - this is what FM, FAA and the aerospace industry, and many others are trying to nail down. Cheers, Pat Thompson ATS Alaska Direct: 907-375-4176 -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bruce Verhei Sent: Friday, February 26, 2016 12:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Lithium battery storage Using NFPA 484 would be similar to using aluminum storage standards for bringing a B-747-8 in a building. The lithium battery industry needs to address this in a reasonable manner. The aerosol industry did this. Maybe the lithium battery industry hasn't done this because they can see what the answers are likely to be. Lots of water. In-rack sprinklers. Vertical barriers every X lineal feet in racks. Minimum aisle widths. Maximum pile sizes for non-rack storage. > On Feb 26, 2016, at 10:17, Brad Casterline <[email protected]> wrote: > > Storing lithium in a battery is probably different. > Anyone see the guy on the news in a convinience store a few days ago > whose e-cigarette went haywire in his front jeans pocket? > It looked like a blowtorch! >> On Feb 26, 2016 12:08 PM, "michael G" <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Would the lithium battery storage fall under the requirements of >> storage in NFPA 484? This does address lithium storage, but not >> lithium battery storage. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Michael Goodis >> Estimator, Project Manager >> IL#000635 NICET#135586 >> Key Fire Protection Enterprises LLC >> 3200 Mike Padgett HWY >> Augusta, GA 30906 >> Office- (706)790-3473 >> Cell- (706) 220-8822 >> Fax: (706) 738-2119 >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Sprinklerforum [mailto: >> [email protected]] >> On Behalf Of David Blackwell >> Sent: Friday, February 26, 2016 10:32 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: RE: Lithium battery storage >> >> FYI - In case some of you were not aware, the term has changed to SDS >> and the requirements for the forms being produced now have changed. >> See the OSHA website at >> https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/effectivedates.html >> >> The following section of text was extracted [in part] from a document >> linked from the main OSHA HCS page at >> https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/: >> >> The Hazard Communication standard (HCS) has been revised to align >> with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification >> and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS Revision 3, 2009). This includes >> updates to the requirements for labeling and for safety data sheets (SDSs). >> [...]changes in enforcement due to the release of the revised HCS >> published in the Federal Register on March 26, 2012. The revised >> standard changes "hazard determination" to the specific requirements >> for hazard classification of chemicals, standardizes label elements >> for containers of hazardous\ chemicals, and specifies the format and >> required content for SDSs. [...] Chemicals must be evaluated in >> accordance with specific guidance outlined in Appendices A and B of >> the standard. The hazard classification will result in the >> specification of pictograms, signal word, hazard statements, and >> precautionary statements which must be included on the labels. >> Specifications for these label elements are provided in Appendix C of >> the standard. The SDSs will have a standardized 16-section format >> (see Appendix D of the standard) and includes the information from >> the hazard classification (e.g., hazard class, pictogram). >> >> >> Respectfully, >> >> David Blackwell >> >> David Blackwell, P.E. >> Chief Engineer >> (803)896-9833 >> >> Office of State Fire Marshal >> 141 Monticello Trail | Columbia, SC 29203 >> http://scfiremarshal.llronline.com/ >> (803)896-9800 >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Sprinklerforum [mailto: >> [email protected]] >> On Behalf Of [email protected] >> Sent: Friday, February 26, 2016 9:57 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: RE: Lithium battery storage >> >> *** SCDLLR NOTICE *** This email is from an external email address. >> Please use caution when deciding whether to open any attachments or >> when clicking links inside the email. >> >> You have to look at a consensus amongst data, not just one MSDS or >> not just one study. >> >> In this particular case there are no absolutes, no guarantees of any >> results. Take the info provided and use that to make your best case >> for a methodology. >> >> >> >> Craig L. Prahl >> Fire Protection Group Lead/SME >> CH2MHILL >> Lockwood Greene >> 1500 International Drive >> Spartanburg, SC 29303 >> Direct - 864.599.4102 >> Fax - 864.599.8439 >> CH2MHILL Extension 74102 >> [email protected] >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Sprinklerforum [mailto: >> [email protected]] >> On Behalf Of å... .... >> Sent: Friday, February 26, 2016 9:52 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Lithium battery storage >> >> Do we realize who writes those MSDS ? Although MSDS content has gotten >> better over the years... just saying think about the quality of >> analyses in some of those MSDS's. >> >> This commodity is non-standardized territory. >> If ecological considerations are a factor, then dump loads of water >> warrants a second look. >> >> We might be able to guarantee control of a Li-battery fire with lots >> of water, but until we get *LOTS* of water, we can't guarantee >> extinguishment using water only, either. >> >> The engineers at Boeing probably have some experience with suppressing >> Li-battery fires. Even though 'in safety there should be no secrets...' >> tell that to the economists. >> >> >> Scot Deal >> Excelsior Risk/Fire Engineering >> Scot Deal >> Excelsior Risk/Fire En >> _______________________________________________ >> Sprinklerforum mailing list >> [email protected] >> >> http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprink >> ler.org _______________________________________________ >> Sprinklerforum mailing list >> [email protected] >> >> http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprink >> ler.org _______________________________________________ >> Sprinklerforum mailing list >> [email protected] >> >> http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprink >> ler.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sprinklerforum mailing list >> [email protected] >> >> http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprink >> ler.org > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkl > er.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
