How Companies Can Mitigate the Risks of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires and Accidents
Ford recently ceased production at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, until further notice due to an issue with the battery of one of their electric pickup trucks. The fire at an outdoor lot nearby caused damage to the truck with the battery problem and two other vehicles, though luckily, no injuries were reported.
The company believes they have identified the cause of the battery issue and which truck population is affected by it. However, it will continue to hold completed trucks until engineering and production changes are made. Batteries for the electric pickups come from SK Innovation, a South Korean supplier with a factory in Georgia.
The halt in production is unfortunate timing for Ford as they have been dealing with multiple quality issues, recalls, and high warranty costs for several years. Furthermore, this affects customers who have put down $100 deposits for an F-150 Lightning since December 2021; Ford converted those reservations into orders. Last year alone, they sold more than 15,000 electric pickup trucks.
Issues with lithium-ion batteries used in most electric vehicles have occurred before; fires in these batteries can become incredibly hot and take thousands of gallons of water to extinguish. This has caused difficulty for firefighters attempting to put out battery fires after crashes involving Teslas and other companies like General Motors, Hyundai, and BMW issuing recalls on lithium-ion batteries.
What Does Your Li-ion Mitigation Technology Look Like?
A fire-related incident is inevitable if your company or organization regularly handles, ships, or stores li-ion batteries. Having the appropriate Mitigation Technology and Procedures in place is key to reducing risks and preventing large-scale catastrophes.
It is essential for companies and organizations that handle, ship, or store lithium-ion batteries to develop comprehensive mitigation strategies. This can include implementing thermal management systems, which monitor and control the temperature of li-ion batteries to prevent any overheating that could lead to a fire. Additionally, building structures with appropriate firewalls and sprinkler systems effectively prevents damage from battery fires.
Using flame retardants and other insulation materials on battery cells can also help reduce the chances of a fire breaking out during an accident or crash. Furthermore, regular maintenance checks should be done to ensure the safety and functionality of li-ion batteries over time. According to local regulations, any damaged batteries should be immediately replaced or disposed of.
Lastly, it is essential to properly train staff members in the handling and storage of Li-ion batteries. Knowing the proper procedures to handle them safely can significantly reduce potential risks. It will also help increase employee awareness and enable them to respond quickly if any issue arises.
By taking all these steps, companies and organizations can mitigate many potential hazards of Li-ion batteries. This will help protect people, property, and the environment from catastrophic lithium-ion battery incidents.
In conclusion, it is essential for companies and organizations that handle, ship, or store lithium-ion batteries to develop comprehensive mitigation strategies. To ensure the safety and functionality of li-ion batteries over time, businesses should implement thermal management systems, build structures with appropriate firewalls and sprinkler systems, use flame retardants and other insulation materials on battery cells, and perform regular maintenance checks. If your company needs assistance designing its Li-ion Fire Mitigation Technology and Procedure Strategy, contact Critical Risk Solution today! With our expertise, we can help you create a strategy tailored to meet all your needs while helping protect people, property, and the environment from any catastrophic incidents involving lithium-ion batteries.
