Standards Development

Scope

This standard defines a test protocol for automatic fire extinguishing systems for a Lithium-Ion battery fire started by initiating a thermal runaway in a Lithium-Ion cell. The test protocol describes a representative fire scenario and the application of the extinguishing media. The test protocol is independent from the extinguishing system and media and could be referenced in the individual extinguishing system standards.

The test protocol is applicable for Lithium-Ion batteries as energy storage e.g. for backup systems. For other conditions like manufacturing or decommissioning, it might be taken as a guidance.

This standard defines the test condition, mock-up, procedure and pass / fail criteria for a successful fire suppression

Purpose

The use of Li-Ion batteries is continuously growing. The fire risk from Lithium-Ion is not covered under the existing test protocols for extinguishing systems.

Never the less there are already systems on the market that do state to be suitable to extinguish Li-Ion fires. It is important to a standardized test protocol available to evaluate the possible solutions for their applicability.

A standardized test protocol, independent from extinguishing agents, would in addition allow to compare different extinguishing systems and their performance on Li-Ion batteries.

It is also important to define the goals for an extinguishing agent for Li-Ion fire, e.g. extinguishment, suppression etc.