GUIDE
147

Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries

• Lithium ion and sodium ion batteries contain flammable liquid electrolyte that may vent, ignite and produce sparks when subjected to high temperatures (> 150 °C (302 °F)), when damaged or abused (e.g., mechanical damage or electrical overcharging).
• May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
• May ignite other batteries in close proximity.

• Contact with battery electrolyte may be irritating to skin, eyes and mucous membranes.
• Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
• Burning batteries may produce toxic hydrogen fluoride gas (see GUIDE 125).
• Fumes may cause dizziness or asphyxiation.

• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.

• Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection..

• Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.

• Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

• If rail car or trailer is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions; also initiate evacuation including emergency responders for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions.

• A lithium ion or sodium ion battery fire may reignite at any point after the initial fire is extinguished, up to weeks later.
• Use thermal imaging, if available, to continuously monitor the battery.
• Reignition can be accompanied by off-gassing of white smoke or electrical arcs or sparks that reignite with visible flames or fire.

Vehicle Fire

• If battery is not connected to a vehicle, see "Small Fire or Fire Involving Small Battery" below.
• Check manufacturer′s specific emergency response guide before attempting to disable vehicle.
• Turn off the ignition and disconnect the 12-volt battery if it can be done safely.
• Never cut the high voltage (HV) or medium voltage (MV) cabling.
• Never touch damaged or submerged HV or MV cables or components.
• If available, use large amount of water to extinguish or suppress a high-voltage battery fire. Using small amount of water could release toxic gases.
• If possible, spray water directly onto battery.
• DO NOT pierce, cut, pry, or dismantle any of the vehicle′s structure to access the battery. Contact with a high voltage component may cause an electric shock.

• Water spray only (large amounts); do not use dry chemical, CO₂ or Halon^®.

• Allow battery fire to burn itself out and protect surroundings.
• Safely remove undamaged containers from area.
• Apply water spray to neighboring batteries to reduce the spread of the hazard.

• ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.
• Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
• Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material.
• Leaking batteries and contaminated absorbent material should be placed in metal containers.

ERG 2024