Risk Assessment of Lithium Ion Batteries

[JeffMac]

Hi,

Has anyone ever came across a risk assessment or FMEA that details the potential failure modes of handling and storing lithium Ion batteries?

Thanks

 

[outdoorsNW]

Do a web search. A couple of years ago I needed the same information. On the web I found several universities that had published safety guides. I don't have access to the web links anymore.

Make sure you are not confusing non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries. The risks are different.

With non-rechargeable batteries you can get a lithium metal fire which requires a specific type of class D fire extinguisher (not all class D work) to put out. With rechargeable, the lithium is in a compound and therefore you do not get lithium metal fires. Rather what burns is the hydrocarbon electrolyte, and therefore most common fire extinguishers will work against a liquid hydrocarbon fire.

Also there are around half a dozen different rechargeable lithium battery types. For the most part the safety concerns are similar.

 

[yodon]

Hopefully @JeffMac 's risk controls will prevent fire.

 

[Tagin]

Freight carriers may also have restrictions/recommendations on shipping batteries. E.g. UPS:
Shipping Batteries or Devices with Batteries: UPS - United States