Lithium Batteries
Separate the storage and charging of lithium batteries
Lithium batteries have become an integral part of our everyday lives. They are concealed inside a wide variety of electrical devices, from smartphones to e-bikes to cordless screwdrivers. When handling these innovative batteries, you should always remember that lithium batteries are hazardous goods. Especially during the charging process, in extreme instances they can explode and cause fires. Let us show you why it is important to use suitable charging cabinets and why you should never charge lithium batteries in the storage area of other batteries or flammable materials/devices.
Main risk involved in the charging process
Most lithium battery fires occur during the charging phase. Storing and charging batteries in the same place increases the fire risk in an emergency. If a lithium battery starts to burn during charging, this can lead to a chain reaction: The fire of the burning battery spreads to other lithium batteries. The more batteries there are in the immediate vicinity, such as in the same cabinet, the greater the damage. In the worst case scenario, the fire does not remain limited to the immediate area and accidents involving personal injury and building fires result.
Limited number, lower fire load
At first glance, large, spacious cabinets seem to offer an advantage: They allow the accommodation and charging of numerous lithium batteries in a relatively small space. In the event of fire, however, they have a decisive disadvantage: All the lithium batteries become involved in the fire, with the size of the fire size increasing rapidly in a short time and extinguishing taking longer. The fact is, the smaller the affected number of batteries, the more manageable the risk. Not to mention fires that occur unnoticed, which means that further measures can only be taken with a time delay. A small cabinet size is therefore also completely in the spirit of what the fire brigade would prefer. That said, there is no need to forego flexible storage in terms of quantity: the battery charging cabinets from CEMO can be accessed from underneath and stacked, so they can be adapted and extended as required.
The right place for every battery
Storing, charging, collecting: the condition of lithium batteries is critical for proper storage. Since the risk of fire is particularly high during the charging phase, a charging cabinet should offer particularly high safety precautions, such as special fire protection seals and alarm functions. A shock-resistant plastic collection container is suitable for the collecting of intact lithium batteries. Defective or obviously damaged batteries, however, require something more substantial, and they belong in a special battery safety container. The following applies to both containers: only use these in conjunction with flame-retardant, non-combustible vermiculite or expanded glass granulate, so that a shield is provided in the event of fire.
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