During a vehicle fire, every second counts. The fire blanket quickly smothers the fire, limits its spread, and enhances fire safety for people and infrastructure.

Vehicle Fire: A Risk of Spread to Control

A vehicle fire can develop in minutes and generate intense heat, toxic smoke, and a high risk of fire spread, especially in parking garages, workshops, or industrial sites.

With the increase in the number of electric vehicles, fire safety challenges are evolving. Lithium-ion batteries can cause thermal runaway phenomena, making extinction more complex and increasing the risk of re-ignition.

The Fire Blanket: A Smothering Extinction Solution

The Flamastop fire blanket is based on the principle of smothering extinction. By completely covering the vehicle, it eliminates the oxygen supply necessary for combustion and allows the fire to be quickly brought under control.

This solution allows you to:

• effectively smother the fire
• contain the heat
• limit smoke
• prevent fire spread

Operating without water or foam, the fire blanket acts immediately after deployment.

Fire Safety: Protecting People and Assets

Easy and quick to deploy, the fire blanket can be implemented by one or two people. It allows the area to be quickly secured and reduces the exposure of responders to heat and toxic smoke.

It thus contributes to the protection of people and assets, by limiting material damage and risks to the immediate environment.

A Solution Adapted to Electric Vehicles

The Flamastop fire blanket is particularly suited to electric vehicle fires. It allows the fire to be contained, limits the risk of re-ignition, and secures the vehicle during the cooling phase or post-fire storage.

Flamastop

Fire safety solutions through smothering

Limit the spread of fire, protect people and assets

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In fact, when it catches fire, the temperature of its lithium cells rises considerably and rapidly. This leads to the inflammation of other components and a generalized combustion of the battery. This is known as thermal runaway, a complicated chain reaction for firefighters to manage… and to stop. In fact, the only way to prevent the explosion is to cool the lithium battery. A real challenge, especially as this type of fire gives off toxic smoke and can spread rapidly if not kept under control.

Despite these difficulties, extinguishing the fire is possible, and the use of a Flamastop fire blanket is an effective solution for controlling the fire and preventing its spread.

Lithium battery: what are their risks?

Lithium batteries have become a part of our everyday lives. In particular, they are used in electric vehicles of all sizes, for both private and professional use. However, there are risks associated with their use:

• Overheating ;
• Short circuit;
• Material damage caused by impact or accident, for example.

If one of these risks arises, they can catch fire. That’s why you need to be careful when you handle, store and recharge them. For example, always recharge them with the right charger, avoid leaving them discharged for long periods, and avoid exposing them to high ambient temperatures.

Similarly, in the event of a fire, contacting the fire department immediately is the first thing to do.

Combustion vehicle vs. electric vehicle: what’s the difference in the case of fire?

An electric vehicle fire is more complicated for firefighters to extinguish than that of a combustion vehicle, because of the lithium battery.

When combustion-powered vehicles catch fire, the flames can be extinguished gradually by the lack of oxygen. But in the case of an electric vehicle, the battery must first be cooled. Smothering the flames with a fire blanket does not extinguish them; it simply helps to contain them and limit their spread.

A lithium battery fire is also very impressive. The smoke is thick, dark and highly toxic. The flames are large and can spread to other vehicles and buildings. Controlling the fire is essential for limiting material, health and human damage.

What solutions to stop a lithium battery fire?

To extinguish a lithium battery fire in an electric vehicle, intervention of the fire brigade is required. Today, a number of techniques are used to extinguish such a fire:

• Irrigating the battery with water cools it down and stops its components from burning, but this requires a lot of water as it has to be completely submerged;
• Use dry sand to prevent oxygen intrusion;
• Cover the electric vehicle with a fire blanket to lower the temperature, reduce the emission of toxic smoke into the air and contain the fire. Its role is not to extinguish the fire, but to control it by limiting the spread of the flames. In this way, the battery continues to burn in a controlled way, until the end of its combustion, when the firefighters can intervene.

To find out more about using a fire blanket for electric vehicles, don’t hesitate to contact us!

L’article How to extinguish a lithium battery fire in an electric vehicle? est apparu en premier sur Flamastop.

The fire, which was very impressive, ravaged this warehouse. It immediately raised alarm among elected representatives and local residents, who were still remembering the serious fire at the Lubrizol plant in Rouen in September 2019.

In response to these fears, the Prefect of Seine-Maritime, who was in office at the time, promised to be transparent and to reveal the results of the analyses carried out by the fire brigade and the post-accident unit. He kept his word:

• At the end of January 2023, a report was published with the first results of the samples taken;
• One month after the accident, a further update was given by the Prefect on the analyses carried out on site;
• At the beginning of July 2023, the full report from the post-accident unit was posted on the Internet.

In every case, the results were reassuring for the residents of Grand-Couronne and the surrounding area.

A spectacular fire but no risk to the population

A fire broke out at around 4.30pm on Monday 16 January 2023 at the Bolloré Logistics warehouse in Grand-Couronne, near Rouen. It gave off thick and heavy smoke, the clouds of which could be seen for several kilometres. Numerous explosions were also heard. Fortunately, there were no victims.

Inside the warehouse, more than 12,000 lithium batteries for electric vehicles burned up.

Then the flames spread into two other areas of the building, one of which contained 70,000 tyres. The combustion of the lithium batteries and tyres produced very impressive and malodorous smoke. Residents were extremely anxious, and many were worried about the risk to their health.

Faced with this situation, the Prefect of Seine-Maritime quickly reassured the public that there was no risk to the population. He also said that the results of the analyses would be published in public.

Reports available to all for transparency

After the fire at the Bolloré Logistics warehouse stocking lithium batteries near Rouen, the prefecture reacted immediately. The very next day, Tuesday 17 January 2023, it published the first results of the fire brigade’s analyses in a press release to reassure residents.

Then, on 15 February 2023, a more detailed update was given on the results of the analyses of the samples taken after the fire.

Finally, the post-accident unit that was set up after the accident reported its conclusions, which were available on the Internet from 4 July 2023. The environmental measurements carried out and their results were detailed, and proposals for post-accident monitoring were formulated.

What should we learn from the results of the analyses carried out after the fire?

After the fire, the measurements were taken in :

• Drinking water reservoirs and catchments;
• Surface water and water from the Seine;
• Water used to extinguish the fire;
• Off-site atmospheric fallout;
• Unburnt materials around the site.

Groundwater quality and ambient air quality were also measured off-site. All the results can be found in the post-accident unit report. They show that :

• The values of concentrations of fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5) correspond to those ‘already observed in Rouen’s agglomeration apart from any accidental event’;
• The values of various toxic substances (including hydrofluoric acid produced by the combustion of lithium) remained below the detection thresholds of the measuring equipment;
• The fire had no impact on the drinking water stored in reservoirs or on water drawn from catchments;
• There was an increase in suspended particulate matter (PM10) in the ambient air directly related to the fire, particularly in Grand-Couronne and Sotteville-lès-Rouen, but this increase remained limited and below the daily information and recommendation threshold.

These results are reassuring for the public, who were understandably worried after the fire, and are partly due to the rapid intervention of the fire brigade and the resources deployed to control and extinguish the blaze.

L’article What are the results of the analyses after the fire at the Bolloré Logistics site in Grand-Couronne? est apparu en premier sur Flamastop.

• A building containing 900 tonnes of lithium batteries in Aveyron in February 2024; 
• Two storage containers in Puy-de-Dôme in December 2023; 
• 200 batteries stored in an Algeco in Port Ouest, La Réunion.

Each time, thick, bad-smelling smoke was quickly spread. What’s more, it’s difficult for firefighters today to get these fires under control quickly. They have to:

• Reduce the heating temperature of the batteries to limit their thermal runaway, generally using a large quantity of water to drown them; 
• Contain the flames to prevent their spread before the fire can be extinguished.

But what about the consequences of these fires and the smoke they emit into the air? What about the use of water to lower the temperature, which can run off into the ground? Is there a risk of pollution? Health risks? These are all questions that arise when lithium batteries catch fire.  

What are the risks of these batteries?

Like many other technologies, they are not exempt from risks that can arise throughout their lifecycle. The main ones are:

• a short circuit; 
• mechanical shock; 
• deep discharge; 
• an increase in the temperature of the ambient air.

These risks can lead to lithium batteries exploding, running riot or even catching fire. That’s why they must always be stored, handled, maintained and used with care and in strict accordance with regulations. Prevention is the best way to avoid accidents.

What are the consequences if these batteries catch fire?

Fires involving the lithium batteries in electric vehicles are very impressive, giving off thick black smoke. They are difficult for firefighters to control and extinguish, but when they do, what are the environmental and health risks?  

The batteries in cars, bicycles, scooters, and other electrical devices contain an electrolytic fluid, a conductive salt. But when it burns, it can release hydrofluoric acid, which is toxic.  

But it’s not the only substance that goes up in smoke when batteries burn. Others include nickel, manganese, cobalt, and plastic. We should also add to this list the materials used in the manufacture of warehouses and storage facilities. When a fire breaks out, all of these materials will burn, releasing smoke, dust and soot that will be released into the air and then onto the ground. Their spread can also be accelerated by the wind, causing pollution.

For this reason, analyses are carried out after a fire to determine any environmental impact. For example, air samples are taken to assess air quality and determine if there are any risks to the surrounding community. Samples may also be taken from drinking water catchments and reservoirs and surface waters to determine if they have been contaminated by the fire.  

While the results of these analyses are not always convincing to environmental groups, they recognize the need to better inform the French public: 

• the risks associated with the production, storage, use and recycling of lithium batteries 
• the preventive measures to be taken to avoid fires.

L’article What are the risks if a lithium battery catches fire? est apparu en premier sur Flamastop.

• the development of new technologies ;
• the strengthening of existing standards and obligations.

Nowadays, there are various ways of fighting fires and protecting people, property and the environment. The fire blankets manufactured by our company, FLAMASTOP, are one of them. 

As experts in technical textiles, we put our experience and knowledge to work in the field of fire protection. We have designed innovative solutions to prevent the spread of flames during fires in :

• internal combustion vehicles ;
• electric vehicles and lithium batteries.

Made from high-performance technical fibres, they are non-inflammable and comply with the most stringent fire reaction classification standards on the market. 

Recognized expertise in technical fabrics

Our expertise in technical fabrics allows us to design and manufacture reliable and innovative solutions that meet our customers’ needs and requirements. As market leaders, we offer high-quality textiles that can withstand high temperatures, including high-performance and flame-retardant fibres suitable for fire protection.

That’s why we’ve developed our range of fire blankets, for use on thermal vehicles, two-wheelers and lithium batteries, used in electric vehicles in particular. Manufactured in our factory, they are then distributed through specialist networks. Reusable, easy and quick to deploy, they are an effective tool for fighting fires.

European manufacturing, a guarantee of qualit

Our fire blankets are designed by our engineers, tested in official, accredited laboratories and manufactured in Europe. This European manufacturing base means we can :

• control every stage of the process;
• ensure the quality of our solutions;
• highlight the expertise of our production teams;
• reduce the number of intermediaries, and therefore the number of hazards.

The decision to manufacture in Europe is also in accordance with our eco-responsible approach of limiting our impact on the environment. Our fire blankets are part of this approach, as they require no water or electricity to operate, and are reusable. They also prevent the spread of toxic smokes into the air, and do not emit any harmful substances. 

Our expertise: fire blankets made from high performing technical fibres

FLAMASTOP specialises in fire blankets that prevent the spread of flames during thermal, electric and lithium battery vehicle fires. We use innovative, high-performance technical textiles in their manufacture. So when they come into contact with flames, they don’t catch fire, but instead isolate them. 

Complying with fire reaction classification standards, our fabrics guarantee that our fire blankets are non-combustible. When used in the event of a fire in :

• thermal vehicles, they extinguish the fire by depriving it of oxygen and smothering it;
• electric vehicles, they reduce the heat in order to limit the thermal expansion of the battery, and prevent the fire from spreading. 

To find out more about our expertise and solutions, please contact us!

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En effet, elles contiennent :

• du lithium qui est très réactif – en particulier au contact de l’eau ou si la température ambiante est élevée – et présente un risque d’incendie ;
• divers composants (des plastiques, solvants, composés électroniques par exemple) qui peuvent être recyclés ou doivent être traités de manière spécifique pour éviter toute pollution.

Leur recyclage est donc à la fois un enjeu écologique et économique. Seulement, il n’est pas aussi simple. D’autant que le stockage des batteries au lithium, endommagées ou usées notamment, doit être effectué avec prudence à cause des risques d’incendie, de pollution. Or, malgré les précautions prises par les centres de tri, les incendies ont augmenté ces dernières années et causé des dégâts. Des accidents ayant de multiples conséquences, et posant bien des questions… 

Des batteries aujourd’hui très répandues

Les batteries au lithium équipent de très nombreux appareils et équipements utilisés quotidiennement ou plus occasionnellement, tels :

• des smartphones ;
• des ordinateurs ;
• des consoles de jeux vidéo ;
• des deux-roues électriques (vélos, scooters …) ;
• des véhicules de toutes les tailles ;
• des engins de manutention (chariots par exemple)…

Le format et le poids diffèrent d’un appareil à un autre – 100 à 200 g pour celle d’un smartphone, contre 2 à 5 kg pour celle d’un vélo – mais le problème de leur recyclage reste identique. Il constitue d’ailleurs à ce jour un vrai défi technique car elles contiennent différents matériaux, qu’il faut séparer puis traiter différemment. Sans oublier les risques d’incendie liés à leur stockage, auxquels les centres de tri et recyclage sont confrontés. 

Des incendies plus fréquents dans les centres de tri et recyclage

En octobre 2021, le journal Les Échos consacrait un article* à l’épineux problème des incendies de batteries au lithium dans les centres de tri et de recyclage. Comme l’indiquait au journaliste l’association des entreprises de ce secteur, la Federec, ces incendies étaient en augmentation à cause :

• de l’allongement du temps de stockage des déchets ;
• la hausse des températures l’été ;
• l’arrivée croissante de batteries au lithium à recycler. 

Un autre problème est évoqué dans cet article : les conditions d’acheminement et de stockage de ces batteries qui peuvent les endommager. Lorsque cela se produit, le lithium qu’elles contiennent peut entrer en contact avec de l’eau. Dans ce cas, il dégage de l’hydrogène, un gaz très inflammable. Cela explique les nombreux incendies survenus lors d’étés pluvieux en France et aussi en Europe.

Face à ce constat, la Federec estime nécessaire de :

• considérer les centres de tri et de recyclage comme des sites prioritaires ;
• familiariser les pompiers avec leurs installations pour faciliter leurs interventions ;
• renforcer la prévention auprès du grand public pour l’informer des dangers du lithium et de la présence de points de collecte dédiés ;
• miser sur l’écoconception des appareils par les fabricants. 

En attendant de pouvoir mieux collecter ces déchets, les centres de tri et de recyclage essaient de s’adapter, et de trouver des solutions pour prévenir et gérer les risques d’incendie.  
* Source : site internet Les Echos

L’article Increase of fires caused by lithium batteries at sorting and recycling centres est apparu en premier sur Flamastop.

• Combustion engine vehicles of all sizes (city cars, SUVs, sedans, minivans, etc.) running on gasoline or diesel;
• Electric vehicles equipped with lithium batteries (bikes, scooters, cars, scooters, handling equipment, etc.).

Its use helps to control the flames and:

• Extinguish them in the case of a combustion engine vehicle;
• Contain them if it is an electric model.

Additionally, it makes firefighters’ jobs easier.

Thanks to its composition—high-performance, non-combustible technical fibers that have been tested in official and accredited laboratories—the FLAMASTOP fire blanket withstands extreme temperatures. It is, therefore, a concept that integrates both aspects:

• Innovative, offering an alternative to other fire-fighting methods, and using technical materials that meet the most demanding fire reaction classification standards on the market;
  
• Eco-friendly, as it limits soil and air pollution that can occur when extinguishing a burning vehicle.

A Reusable Blanket to Prevent Fire Spread

The FLAMASTOP fire blanket is innovative because it :

• Is reusable, simply air it out and dry it between uses;
• Can be deployed immediately, at the start of a fire, by only two people as it weighs less than 30 kg and has two handles for easy handling;
• Requires no maintenance;
• Does not need a nearby water tank or supply as it does not require water to function;
• Folds and stores in a bag, making it easy to store and transport;
• Can be used without any fire-fighting training. Its handling is intuitive as it unfolds over a vehicle like a “classic” blanket.

An Equipment Limiting Pollution and Damage in Case of Vehicle Fire

The damage caused by a fire does not only concern the affected vehicle. It also has a health impact, as the smoke releases toxic gases, and an environmental impact as it emits particles into the air, and the soil and water can be polluted.

Moreover, to extinguish a fire, large quantities of water are used, which must be properly contained on-site to prevent any pollution.

This is why the FLAMASTOP fire blanket proves to be an eco-friendly solution, which does not replace other fire-fighting devices but complements them. It is considered environmentally friendly because it:

• Limits the use of water and thus, the runoff of dirty water;
• Releases no dangerous substances on the ground, no harmful smoke into the atmosphere, no suspended particles, and leaves no residue on surfaces;
• Reduces the damage caused by a vehicle fire by preventing the spread of flames to other nearby vehicles or infrastructure;
• Contains toxic and opaque smoke resulting from combustion.

Usable on combustion engines or electric vehicles, the FLAMASTOP fire blanket meets current challenges in fire-fighting and environmental preservation. Available in various sizes, it is suitable for different applications, both indoors and outdoors.

L’article The FLAMASTOP Fire Blanket: An Innovative and Eco-Friendly Concept est apparu en premier sur Flamastop.

• Cars of all sizes; 
• Bicycles; 
• Scooters; 
• Buses; 
• Scooters, etc.

As rechargeable, they have a higher energy density than lead-acid batteries. They’re also lighter, smaller, more powerful, and faster to recharge.  

In the event of a fire, lithium batteries burn until the stored energy is completely released. This can lead to explosions and further damage to people and property, especially in the case of thermal runaway. As a result, fires are often impressive, even if they are rare. But their intensity leaves a lasting impression, not least because they are difficult for firefighters to control. Here are some explanations to help you better understand this phenomenon.   

Lithium battery: very low risk of fire

When an electric vehicle fire happens, it often makes headlines in the media and on social networks because of its spectacular nature. However, the risk of fire is relatively low if a lithium battery is stored, handled and used properly. But it can’t be ruled out completely, because it can:

• have technical defects; 
• Be lectrical overload; 
• Damaged in a collision, for example, resulting in a short circuit; 
• thermal overload due to the presence of external heat or power sources.

Lithium batteries also pose a risk of thermal runaway in the event of a fire because they contain electrolytes.

What are the main causes of a fire outbreak?

A lithium battery fire in an electric vehicle can be caused by:

• An external or internal short circuit (e.g. due to the use of an inappropriate charger); 
• Mechanical damage caused by a fall, accident or crushing; 
• Overheating. 

It should also be noted that a lithium battery fire does not always occur immediately after a mechanical shock. It may occur up to 72 hours later.  

Rugged Fire Control for Firefighters

Absolument ! Voici une traduction en anglais de votre texte, en essayant de conserver le sens et le ton originaux :

“When properly used and maintained, a lithium battery is no more dangerous than any other component. However, the risk of fire should not be overlooked because there is a major problem today: firefighters cannot quickly extinguish a burning electric vehicle. They must wait for the battery to finish burning due to the production of oxygen.

In fact, when it catches fire, some of its components release gaseous oxygen as they decompose. And this oxygen feeds the flames. Therefore, as long as the battery produces it, it sustains the fire, which poses another problem: an increase in its temperature, which releases excess heat, which in turn is responsible for thermal runaway. A real chain reaction, in other words.

L’article What do you need to know about the fire risk of a lithium battery? est apparu en premier sur Flamastop.

• Reusable ;
• Suitable for a wide range of indoor and outdoor applications;
• Easy to use (no training required) ;
• Designed to withstand high temperatures.

Designed to prevent the spread of a vehicle fire, they have undergone a series of tests to assess their effectiveness. In particular, we tested them in a real-life, outdoor situation, during a lithium battery fire on electric vehicles. The result is clear: our innovative textile fire blanket has proven its worth in preventing the spread of fire!

A full-scale test on multiple vehicle types

Our fire blanket has been repeatedly tested on electric vehicles of various sizes (city car, two-wheeler, scooter, small MPV). During these tests, which were filmed, it was proved to be :

• Quick and easy to use, it only needs to be taken out of its box and two persons, wearing gloves, unroll it and wrap it around a vehicle. It’s in place in just a few minutes.
  
• Effective in the event of a lithium battery fire, to prevent it spreading before the fire department can intervene. The fire department must be alerted as soon as the first fumes appear, and are the only ones authorized to remove the cover.

As soon as the cover is installed on a vehicle, smoke emissions are reduced. Smoke is released under the cover, preventing it from spreading into the air. Our tests also showed that its use facilitates the work of firefighters, since it prevents the vehicle from bursting into flames. After removing the cover, they can spray the vehicle with water and wait for the battery to burn out.

An effective blanket to insulate a burning vehicle

Manufactured with innovative textiles – which have been tested in official, accredited laboratories and meet the most stringent reaction-to-fire classification standards on the market – our fire blankets :

• Withstand high temperatures;
• Control any vehicle fire;
• Stop the fumes from a lithium battery that catches fire;
• Isolate the vehicle to prevent the spread of fire to the surrounding area and limit fire damage.

During our tests, we used our covers on various vehicles. Their format is adaptable to all sizes, which is an added advantage since any electric model can fall victim to a lithium battery flashover.

To find out more about our products and their effectiveness in preventing the spread of lithium battery fires, take a look at our videos and contact us!

L’article Performance of FLAMASTOP Fire Blanket Proven in Real-World Tests est apparu en premier sur Flamastop.

However, as with any technology, its use is not without risk. Users must be aware of these risks and take preventive measures to manage them. The ultimate goal is to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

What do you need to know about lithium batteries?

Before discussing the risks associated with this type of battery, it’s important to remember that it consists of cells containing electrodes (an anode and a cathode), a separator, and electrolyte.

When connected to a vehicle, electrons flow from one electrode to the other through an external circuit. During charge cycles, they flow from the cathode (positive electrode) to the anode (negative electrode). Conversely, during discharge cycles, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode.

In addition to lithium, most batteries contain a number of other components, including nickel, manganese, and graphite.

What are the dangers of this type of battery?

The lithium-ion battery stores, accumulates, and releases energy. Therefore, it can be dangerous to use it in certain situations, which can damage it and cause thermal runaway. This can happen in the case of

• Mechanical shock ;
• Exposure to very low or very high temperatures ;
• Overload or excessive discharge ;
• Short circuit ;
• Manufacturing defect.

Likewise, it should be noted that thermal runaway can occur up to 48 hours after damage to the battery of an electric vehicle (such as a shock in an accident).

What are the risks associated with its use?

There are several risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, especially with their high energy density:

• Leak of the electrolyte, which is flammable, after an impact;
• Explosion due to high temperature, e.g. as a result of overcharging or external short circuit, leading to thermal runaway;
• Emission of gases, vapors, sparks and flames, e.g. after overcharging, deep discharge or exposure to high ambient temperatures.

However, the greatest risk – and the most widely publicized – is explosion due to thermal runaway of the battery, resulting in fire.

How can the risks associated with lithium batteries in electric vehicles be prevented?

To reduce the risks associated with the use of a lithium battery, preventive measures must be taken. For example:

• Do not expose to very low or high temperatures;
• Do not store or use damaged batteries;
• Always use the correct charger when recharging an electric vehicle.

There are also various regulations in France and Europe that manufacturers must comply with, some of which are specific to electric vehicles.

As for companies using lithium-ion batteries, they must inform their employees of the risks and take the necessary preventive measures (posting, monitoring, risk analysis, provision of fire-fighting equipment such as the Flamastop fire blanket, etc.).

L’article What are the risks of using lithium batteries in electric vehicles? est apparu en premier sur Flamastop.