Q: Can 50DPAIL UNIV-DC - Class D Dry Powder (Sodium Chloride) be used on a lithium fire?
A: Indeed yes -
Class D powder would be used on a lithium fire.
If you are talking about batteries, the information in the link below will be helpful for the customer to decide what you/your client is looking for.
The full text of this link is here:
Common Myth #32
Posted on March 1, 2013 by Amerex
I need a Class D extinguisher for Lithium-Ion batteries.
Description
No – lithium-ion batteries do not require a Class D extinguisher, however lithium batteries do.
Lithium – ion batteries, despite their name, do not release any lithium during a fire incident, even if the casing is
compromised. Lithium batteries, however, will release lithium during a fire incident.
How can you tell the difference? Lithium - ion batteries are rechargeable, Lithium batteries are “one-use” – not
rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries for digital cameras, laptops, hybrid/plug-in vehicles, tablets and other devices
would not be lithium batteries.
So what is the recommended protection? This is a difficult question to answer and involves some planning and
decision on the part of the installer and the end-user. There have been many studies done on the proper protection
for lithium-ion batteries. However, any large scale fire testing that would duplicate the storage or transportation of
large quantities of lithium-ion batteries has not – to our knowledge – been conducted. Lithium batteries require a
Class D extinguisher, preferably our B571 which uses a copper agent specifically for lithium fires. However, a Class D
extinguisher may not have any effect on lithium-ion batteries. Unlike lead acid or gell-cell batteries, when a lithium -
ion battery breeches the enclosure the electrolyte released is flammable. Based upon testing by other parties that we
have reviewed and MSDS from lithium-ion battery manufacturers, fires involving lithium-ion batteries have been
successfully extinguished using ABC dry chemical, water, water mist and clean agent including Halotron I. The MSDS
sheet often says to use water or “an appropriate extinguishing agent for the surroundings”. While ABC dry chemical
may be effective, is it the agent of choice if aircraft or electronic equipment is in the vicinity? Water or water mist may
also be effective, but again, what is the surrounding environment and how will that affect the extinguisher (freezing)
and adjacent equipment. Halotron I is effective and could be the best choice when considering the factors above.
In 2011, the NFPA Research Foundation conducted a study of lithium-ion batteries in conjunction with Exponents
Failure Analysis titled “Lithium-Ion Batteries Hazard and Use Assessment”. The full report can be viewed on the
NFPA Research website. It contains lots of information regarding lithium-ion batteries, how they differ from other
battery types, how they can fail and testing that has been conducted. A similar report by the same authors can be
viewed on the SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineers) website. You should be encouraged to read the report
and have your customers who deal with quantities of these batteries read the report also.
More testing, including sprinkler and other fire testing will be performed in the future by the NFPA Research
Foundation. While this will be beneficial, it is also important to keep in mind that the technology of battery construction
is advancing so quickly that it is extremely difficult for the Fire Protection community to stay current on hazard and
risk assessment regarding new battery technology.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
Link:
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A: Generally, Class D powder is the recommended extinguishing agent for these metals. However, the customer will need to review the SDS (formerly MSDS) for the exact metal(s) or compound(s) they have to be certain a seen here:
Download File
Please note, our 50DPAIL is for recharging fire extinguishers.
Is there a follow up question that we can perhaps attempt to answer? We take deep pride in our technical expertise, as we know it separates us from our competition, so don't hesitate to ask.
Please reply to this email or contact our sales department here:
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A: I cannot think of any safe way other than to be used as specified with the proper pressurized fire extinguisher. The flammable metals which these compounds keep under control are very hot. Any scenario in which you were close enough to scoop this material on top of it would likely require aluminized suits/PPE which can handle the excessive temperature this fire will produce.
Please also keep in mind that this class D compound is not necessarily going to fully extinguish the fire. It is going to keep it under control until the fire department arrives to watch the fire extinguisher itself by burning itself out.
I do not believe scooping this compound onto a class D fire safe.
Is there a follow up question that we can perhaps attempt to answer? We take pride in our technical expertise so don't hesitate to ask.
Please contact us here.