Extinguishers for Lithium Polymer fire

[Guest Nichaols]

I am looking for advice in regards to how to safely deal with a Lithium Polymer fire.
I work for a Film Production company and we use a Lithium Polymer Batteries with our DJI Phantom.
I was wondering if you could give me any advice for dealing Lithium Polymer fires? Such as the best fire extinguisher to use. I am aware that for the most part Lithium Polymer fires are difficult to extinguish and often the best practice would be to notify the correct authorities and controller any secondary fires.
If you have any advice in this regard that would be greatly appreciated,
Thank you for your time,
Nicholas

[Shawn Bosworth]

Lithium fires can be very intense, so you are correct that it would be best to inform the fire brigade immediately. But if the fire is smaller and manageable there are specialist fire extinguishers designed for Class D (metal fires), more specifically an L2 fire extinguisher available here http://www.safelincs.co.uk/thomas-glover-9kg-l2-powder-extinguisher/

I hope this helps,

Shawn

 

[Tom Sutton]

Check out the following although some of the links are out of date most of the information is relevant and you are correct to notify the correct authorities and control any secondary fires.

 

[AnthonyB]

You should consult the battery manufacturer for advice as several types of lithium cell actually do not contain nor liberate free lithium metal and do not need a Class D extinguisher.

For example we researched first aid fire fighting requirements on behalf of one of the main UK automotive lithium cell manufacturers in the UK and the result was they only required ABC Powder & Water Mist extinguishers.

 

[Safelincs]

Hi Anthony, this sounds very interesting research. Would you be happy to share more information about this work? I feel this could be of general interest for our readers.

Harry

[Tom Sutton]

A further reply from AnthonyB.

Check the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the batteries - whilst some liberate free lithium and require a Class D agent, others do not and can be tackled with ABC Powder or Water Mist 
A new solution is also Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD) fire extinguishing agent:

Check out http://www.avdfire.com/

[AnthonyB]

HI, 

I'd have to dig it out and redact certain bits as it was paid consultancy for a client, but I'll see what I can do.