As battery technology advances, large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a critical role in powering homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities while supporting the electrical grid. These systems, which rely on lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, provide efficient energy storage but also pose significant fire and explosion risks due to their high energy density.
The Challenge: Battery Fires & Thermal Runaway
Fires involving lithium-ion batteries are especially dangerous because they are self-sustaining. Unlike traditional fires, BESS fires cannot be extinguished simply by cutting off the energy source. Instead, they undergo a process called thermal runaway, where a failing battery cell releases extreme heat and flammable gases, causing a chain reaction that spreads throughout the system.
Key Fire Risks in BESS
- Thermal Runaway: Excess heat build-up in a single lithium cell can trigger an uncontrollable reaction.
- Chain Reaction: A failing cell can ignite nearby cells, escalating the fire.
- Explosion Hazards: The release of hot, flammable gases increases the risk of explosions.
- Fire-fighter Challenges: Conventional fire fighting methods, including water and foam, struggle to suppress lithium-ion battery fires. Many fire departments lack specialized training to handle these hazards effectively.
How FlameBlock Enhances Fire Safety in BESS
FlameBlock provides innovative fire suppression solutions specifically designed to combat the challenges of lithium-ion battery fires. Whether applied as a fire-retardant coating, fire blanket, or extinguishing agent, FlameBlock disrupts the key factors driving battery fires:
- Stops Thermal Runaway Before It Spreads
- FlameBlock Lithium Black: Smothers the fire, cutting off oxygen and preventing further ignition.
- FlameBlock FabricShield: A protective spray applied to surrounding materials to slow down flame spread and reduce fire intensity.
- Cools & Suppresses Heat Buildup
- FlameBlock Lithium Black: Reduce battery temperature and prevent heat buildup that could lead to thermal runaway.
- Heat-Resistant Properties: FlameBlock products withstand high temperatures, ensuring that the fire doesn’t reignite after suppression.
- Interrupts the Chemical Reaction
- Interferes with Oxygen Radicals: Lithium fires produce oxygen radicals that fuel combustion. FlameBlock disrupts this reaction, preventing flames from sustaining themselves.
- Encapsulation & Isolation: Creates a protective barrier that prevents the release of flammable gases, reducing explosion risks.
- Provides Long-Term Protection
- Prevention through Application: Applying FlameBlock to battery storage areas, electrical enclosures, and surrounding structures enhances fire resistance, reducing the risk of fire spread in case of a battery failure.
Enhancing Fire Safety Protocols with FlameBlock
Integrating FlameBlock solutions into battery storage fire safety plans provides a proactive defence against the unique risks of BESS fires. Facility managers, fire services, and industries utilizing lithium-ion battery technology can significantly enhance safety, minimize damage, and prevent catastrophic losses with FlameBlock’s advanced fire suppression technology.
Invest in Fire Protection with FlameBlock
As battery energy storage expands, so do the risks. FlameBlock provides the critical protection needed to safeguard lives, infrastructure, and investments in this rapidly growing sector.
